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diff --git a/old/major10.txt b/old/major10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..30b42f3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/major10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,14921 @@ +***The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Major, by Ralph Connor*** +#9 in our series by Ralph Connor + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the laws for your country before redistributing these files!!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. + +Please do not remove this. + +This should be the first thing seen when anyone opens the book. +Do not change or edit it without written permission. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.12.12.00*END* + + + + + +This etext was produced by Donald Lainson, charlie@idirect.com. + + + + + +THE MAJOR + +by Ralph Connor + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + +I THE COWARD + +II A FIGHT FOR FREEDOM + +III THE ESCUTCHEON CLEARED + +IV SALVAGE + +V WESTWARD HO! + +VI JANE BROWN + +VII THE GIRL OF THE WOOD LOT + +VIII YOU FORGOT ME + +IX EXCEPT HE STRIVE LAWFULLY + +X THE SPIRIT OF CANADA + +XI THE SHADOW OF WAR + +XII MEN AND A MINE + +XIII A DAY IN SEPTEMBER + +XIV AN EXTRAORDINARY NURSE + +XV THE COMING OF JANE + +XVI HOSPITALITY WITHOUT GRUDGING + +XVII THE TRAGEDIES OF LOVE + +XVIII THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS + +XIX THE CLOSING OF THE DOOR + +XX THE GERMAN TYPE OF CITIZENSHIP + +XXI WAR + +XXII THE TUCK OF DRUM + +XXIII A NEUTRAL NATION + +XXIV THE MAJOR AND THE MAJOR'S WIFE + + + + +THE MAJOR + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE COWARD + + +Spring had come. Despite the many wet and gusty days which April +had thrust in rude challenge upon reluctant May, in the glory of +the triumphant sun which flooded the concave blue of heaven and the +myriad shaded green of earth, the whole world knew to-day, the +whole world proclaimed that spring had come. The yearly miracle +had been performed. The leaves of the maple trees lining the +village street unbound from their winter casings, the violets that +lifted brave blue eyes from the vivid grass carpeting the roadside +banks, the cherry and plum blossoms in the orchards decking the +still leafless trees with their pink and white favours, the timid +grain tingeing with green the brown fields that ran up to the +village street on every side--all shouted in chorus that spring had +come. And all the things with new blood running wild in their +veins, the lambs of a few days still wobbly on ridiculous legs +skipping over and upon the huge boulders in farmer Martin's meadow, +the birds thronging the orchard trees, the humming insects rioting +in the genial sun, all of them gave token of strange new impulses +calling for something more than mere living because spring had +come. + +Upon the topmost tip of the taller of the twin poplars that flanked +the picket gate opening upon the Gwynnes' little garden sat a +robin, his head thrown back to give full throat to the song that +was like to burst his heart, monotonous, unceasing, rapturous. On +the door step of the Gwynnes' house, arrested on the threshold by +the robin's song, stood the Gwynne boy of ten years, his eager face +uplifted, himself poised like a bird for flight. + +"Law-r-ence," clear as a bird call came the voice from within. + +"Mo-th-er," rang the boy's voice in reply, high, joyous and shrill. + +"Ear-ly! Remember!" + +"Ri-ght a-way af-ter school. Good-bye, mo-ther, dear," called the +boy. + +"W-a-i-t," came the clear, birdlike call again, and in a moment the +mother came running, stood beside the boy, and followed his eye to +the robin on the poplar tree. "A brave little bird," she said. +"That is the way to meet the day, with a brave heart and a bright +song. Goodbye, boy." She kissed him as she spoke, giving him a +slight pat on the shoulder. "Away you go." + +But the boy stood fascinated by the bird so gallantly facing his +day. His mother's words awoke in him a strange feeling. "A brave +heart and a bright song"--so the knights in the brave days of old, +according to his Stories of the Round Table, were wont to go forth. +In imitation of the bird, the boy threw back his head, and with +another cheery good-bye to his mother, sprang clear of the steps +and ran down the grass edged path, through the gate and out onto +the village street. There he stood first looking up the country +road which in the village became a street. There was nothing to be +seen except that in the Martin orchard "Ol' Martin" was working +with his team under the trees which came in rows down to the road. +Finding nothing to interest him there, he turned toward the village +and his eyes searched the street. Opposite the Gwynnes' gate, Dr. +Bush's house stood back among the trees, but there was no sign of +life about it. Further down on the same side of the street, the +Widow Martin's cottage, with porch vine covered and windows bright +with flowers, hid itself under a great spreading maple. In front +of the cottage the Widow Martin herself was busy in the garden. He +liked the Widow Martin but found her not sufficiently exciting to +hold him this spring morning. A vacant lot or two and still on the +same side came the blacksmith's shop just at the crossroads, and +across the street from it his father's store. But neither at the +blacksmith's shop nor at the store across from it was there +anything to awaken even a passing interest. Some farmers' teams +and dogs, Pat Larkin's milk wagon with its load of great cans on +its way to the cheese factory and some stray villagers here and +there upon the street intent upon their business. Up the street +his eye travelled beyond the crossroads where stood on the left +Cheatley's butcher shop and on the right McKenny's hotel with +attached sheds and outhouses. Over the bridge and up the hill the +street went straight away, past the stone built Episcopal Church +whose spire lifted itself above the maple trees, past the Rectory, +solid, square and built of stone, past the mill standing on the +right back from the street beside the dam, over the hill, and so +disappeared. The whole village seemed asleep and dreaming among +its maple trees in the bright sunlight. + +Throwing another glance at the robin still singing on the treetop +overhead, the boy took from his pocket a mouth-organ, threw back +his head, squared his elbows out from his sides to give him the +lung room he needed, and in obedience to a sharp word of command +after a preliminary tum, tum, tum, struck up the ancient triumph +hymn in memory of that hero of the underground railroad by which +so many slaves of the South in bygone days made their escape "up +No'th" to Canada and to freedom. + +"Glory, glory, hallelujah, his soul goes marching on." By means of +"double-tongueing," a recently acquired accomplishment, he was able +to give a full brass band effect to his hymn of freedom. Many +villagers from door or window cast a kindly and admiring eye upon +the gallant little figure stepping to his own music down the +street. He was brass band, conductor, brigadier general all in +one, and behind him marched an army of heroes off for war and +deathless glory, invisible and invincible. To the Widow Martin as +he swung past the leader flung a wave of his hand. With a tender +light in her old eyes the Widow Martin waved back at him. "God +bless his bright face," she murmured, pausing in her work to watch +the upright little figure as he passed along. At the blacksmith's +shop the band paused. + + + Tink, tink, tink, tink, + Tink, tink-a-tink-tink-tink. + Tink tink, tink, tink, + Tink, tink-a-tink-tink-tink. + + +The conductor graduated the tempo so as to include the rhythmic +beat of the hammer with the other instruments in his band. The +blacksmith looked, smiled and let his hammer fall in consonance +with the beat of the boy's hand, and for some moments there was +glorious harmony between anvil and mouth organ and the band +invisible. At the store door across the street the band paused +long enough simply to give and receive an answering salute from the +storekeeper, who smiled upon his boy as he marched past. At the +crossroads the band paused, marking time. There was evidently a +momentary uncertainty in the leader's mind as to direction. The +road to the right led straight, direct, but treeless, dusty, +uninviting, to the school. It held no lure for the leader and his +knightly following. Further on a path led in a curve under shady +trees and away from the street. It made the way to school longer, +but the lure of the curving, shady path was irresistible. Still +stepping bravely to the old abolitionist hymn, the procession moved +along, swung into the path under the trees and suddenly came to a +halt. With a magnificent flourish the band concluded its triumphant +hymn and with the conductor and brigadier the whole brigade stood +rigidly at attention. The cause of this sudden halt was to be seen +at the foot of a maple tree in the person of a fat lump of good +natured boy flesh supine upon the ground. + +"Hello, Joe; coming to school?" + +"Ugh," grunted Joe, from the repose of limitless calm. + +"Come on, then, quick, march." Once more the band struck up its +hymn. + +"Hol' on, Larry, it's plenty tam again," said Joe. The band came +to a stop. "I don' lak dat school me," he continued, still +immersed in calm. + +Joe's struggles with an English education were indeed tragically +pathetic. His attempts with aspirates were a continual humiliation +to himself and a joy to the whole school. No wonder he "no lak dat +school." Besides, Joe was a creature of the open fields. His +French Canadian father, Joe Gagneau, "Ol' Joe," was a survival of a +bygone age, the glorious golden age of the river and the bush, of +the shanty and the raft, of the axe and the gun, the age of +Canadian romance, of daring deed, of wild adventure. + +"An' it ees half-hour too queek," persisted Joe. "Come on hup to +de dam." A little worn path invited their feet from the curving +road, and following their feet, they found themselves upon a steep +embankment which dammed the waters into a pond that formed the +driving power for the grist mill standing near. At the farther end +of the pond a cedar bush interposed a barrier to the sight and +suggested mysterious things beyond. Back of the cedar barrier a +woods of great trees, spruce, balsam, with tall elms and maples on +the higher ground beyond, offered deeper mysteries and delights +unutterable. They knew well the cedar swamp and the woods beyond. +Partridges drummed there, rabbits darted along their beaten +runways, and Joe had seen a woodcock, that shyest of all shy birds, +disappear in glancing, shadowy flight, a ghostly, silent denizen of +the ghostly, silent spaces of the forest. Even as they gazed upon +that inviting line of woods, the boys could see and hear the +bluejays flash in swift flight from tree to tree and scream their +joy of rage and love. From the farther side of the pond two boys +put out in a flat-bottomed boat. + +"There's big Ben and Mop," cried Larry eagerly. "Hello, Ben," he +called across the pond. "Goin' to school?" + +"Yap," cried Mop, so denominated from the quantity and cut of the +hair that crowned his head. Ben was at the oars which creaked and +thumped between the pins, but were steadily driving the snub-nosed +craft on its toilsome way past the boys. + +"Hello, Ben," cried Larry. "Take us in too." + +"All right," said Ben, heading the boat for the bank. "Let me take +an oar, Ben," said Larry, whose experience upon the world of waters +was not any too wide. + +"Here, where you goin'," cried Mop, as the boat slowly but surely +pointed toward the cedars. "You stop pulling, Ben. Now, Larry, +pull around again. There now, she's right. Pull, Ben." But Ben +sat rigid with his eyes intent upon the cedars. + +"What's the matter, Ben?" said Larry. Still Ben sat with fixed +gaze. + +"By gum, he's in, boys," said Ben in a low voice. "I thought he +had his nest in one of them stubs." + +"What is it--in what stub?" inquired Larry, his voice shrill with +excitement. + +"That big middle stub, there," said Ben. "It's a woodpecker. Say, +let's pull down and see it." Under Mop's direction the old scow +gradually made its way toward the big stub. + +They explored the stub, finding in it a hole and in the hole a +nest, the mother and father woodpeckers meanwhile flying in wild +agitation from stub to stub and protesting with shrill cries +against the intruders. Then they each must climb up and feel the +eggs lying soft and snug in their comfy cavity. After that they +all must discuss the probable time of hatching, the likelihood of +there being other nests in other stubs which they proceeded to +visit. So the eager moments gaily passed into minutes all unheeded, +till inevitable recollection dragged them back from the world of +adventure and romance to that of stern duty and dull toil. + +"Say, boys, we'll be late," cried Larry, in sudden panic, seizing +his oar. "Come on, Ben, let's go." + +"I guess it's pretty late now," replied Ben, slowly taking up his +oar. + +"Dat bell, I hear him long tam," said Joe placidly. "Oh, Joe!" +cried Larry in distress. "Why didn't you tell us?" + +Joe shrugged his shoulders. He was his own master and superbly +indifferent to the flight of time. With him attendance at school +was a thing of more or less incidental obligation. + +"We'll catch it all right," said Mop with dark foreboding. "He was +awful mad last time and said he'd lick any one who came late again +and keep him in for noon too." + +The prospect was sufficiently gloomy. + +"Aw, let's hurry up anyway," cried Larry, who during his school +career had achieved a perfect record for prompt and punctual +attendance. + +In ever deepening dejection the discussion proceeded until at +length Mop came forward with a daring suggestion. + +"Say, boys, let's wait until noon. He won't notice anything. We +can easily fool him." + +This brought no comfort to Larry, however, whose previous virtues +would only render this lapse the more conspicuous. A suggestion of +Joe's turned the scale. + +"Dat woodchuck," he said, "he's got one hole on de hill by dere. +He's big feller. We dron heem out." + +"Come on, let's," cried Mop. "It will be awful fun to drown the +beggar out." + +"Guess we can't do much this morning, anyway," said Ben, +philosophically making the best of a bad job. "Let's go, Larry." +And much against his will, but seeing no way out of the dilemma, +Larry agreed. + +They explored the woodchuck hole, failing to drown out that cunning +subterranean architect who apparently had provided lines of retreat +for just such emergencies as confronted him now. Wearied of the +woodchuck, they ranged the bush seeking and finding the nests of +bluejays and of woodpeckers, and in a gravel pit those of the sand +martens. Joe led them to the haunts of the woodcock, but that shy +bird they failed to glimpse. Long before the noon hour they felt +the need of sustenance and found that Larry's lunch divided among +the four went but a small way in satisfying their pangs of hunger. +The other three, carefree and unconcerned for what the future might +hold, roamed the woods during the afternoon, but to Larry what in +other circumstances would have been a day of unalloyed joy, brought +him only a present misery and a dread for the future. The question +of school for the afternoon was only mentioned to be dismissed. +They were too dirty and muddy to venture into the presence of the +master. Consequently the obvious course was to wait until four +o'clock when joining the other children they might slip home +unnoticed. + +The afternoon soon began to lag. The woods had lost their first +glamour. Their games grew to be burdensome. They were weary and +hungry, and becoming correspondingly brittle in temper. Already +Nemesis was on their trail. Sick at heart and weighted with +forebodings, Larry listened to the plans of the other boys by which +they expected to elude the consequences of their truancy. In the +discussion of their plans Larry took no part. They offered him no +hope. He knew that if he were prepared to lie, as they had +cheerfully decided, his simple word would carry him through at +home. But there the difficulty arose. Was he willing to lie? He +had never lied to his mother in all his life. He visualised her +face as she listened to him recounting his falsified tale of the +day's doings and unconsciously he groaned aloud. + +"What's the matter with you, Larry?" inquired Mop, noticing his +pale face. + +"Oh, nothing; it's getting a little cold, I guess." + +"Cold!" laughed Mop. "I guess you're getting scared all right." + +To this Larry made no reply. He was too miserable, too tired to +explain his state of mind. He was doubtful whether he could +explain to Mop or to Joe his unwillingness to lie to his mother. + +"It don't take much to scare you anyway," said Mop with an ugly +grin. + +The situation was not without its anxieties to Mop, for while he +felt fairly confident as to his ability to meet successfully his +mother's cross examination, there was always a possibility of his +father's taking a hand, and that filled him with a real dismay. +For Mr. Sam Cheatley, the village butcher, was a man of violent +temper, hasty in his judgments and merciless in his punishment. +There was a possibility of unhappy consequences for Mop in spite +of his practiced ability in deception. Hence his nerves were set +a-jangling, and his temper, never very certain, was rather on edge. +The pale face of the little boy annoyed him, and the little +whimsical smile which never quite left his face confronted him like +an insult. + +"You're scared," reiterated Mop with increasing contempt, "and you +know you're scared. You ain't got any spunk anyway. You ain't got +the spunk of a louse." With a quick grip he caught the boy by the +collar (he was almost twice Larry's size), and with a jerk landed +him on his back in a brush heap. The fall brought Larry no +physical hurt, but the laughter of Joe and especially of big Ben, +who in his eyes was something of a hero, wounded and humiliated +him. The little smile, however, did not leave his face and he +picked himself up and settled his coat about his collar. + +"You ain't no good anyway," continued Mop, with the native instinct +of the bully to worry his victim. "You can't play nothin' and you +can't lick nobody in the whole school." + +Both of these charges Larry felt were true. He was not fond of +games and never had he experienced a desire to win fame as a +fighter. + +"Aw, let him alone, can't you, Mop?" said big Ben. "He ain't +hurtin' you none." + +"Hurtin' me," cried Mop, who for some unaccountable reason had +worked himself into a rage. "He couldn't hurt me if he tried. I +could lick him on my knees with one hand behind my back. I believe +Joe there could lick him with one hand tied behind his back." + +"I bet he can't," said Ben, measuring Larry with his eye and +desiring to defend him from this degrading accusation. "I bet +he'd put up a pretty fine scrap," continued Ben, "if he had to." +Larry's heart warmed to his champion. + +"Yes, if he had to," replied Mop with a sneer. "But he would never +have to. He wouldn't fight a flea. Joe can lick him with one +hand, can't you, Joe?" + +"I donno. I don' want fight me," said Joe. + +"No, I know you don't want to, but you could, couldn't you?" +persisted Mop. Joe shrugged his shoulders. "Ha, I told you so. +Hurrah for my man," cried Mop, clapping Joe on the back and pushing +him toward Larry. + +Ben began to scent sport. He was also conscious of a rising +resentment against Mop's exultant tone and manner. + +"I bet you," he said, "if Larry wanted to, he could lick Joe even +if he had both hands, but if Joe's one hand is tied behind his +back, why Larry would just whale the tar out of him. But Larry +does not want to fight." + +"No," jeered Mop, "you bet he don't, he ain't got it in him. I bet +you he daren't knock a chip off Joe's shoulder, and I will tie +Joe's hand behind his back with his belt. Now there he is, bring +your man on. There's a chip on his shoulder too." + +Larry looked at Joe, the little smile still on his face. "I don't +want to fight Joe. What would I fight Joe for?" he said. + +"I told you so," cried Mop, dancing about. "He ain't got no fight +in him. + + + Take a dare, + Take a dare, + Chase a cat, + And hunt a hare." + + +Ben looked critically at Larry as if appraising the quality of his +soul. "Joe can't lick you with one hand tied behind his back, can +he, Larry?" + +"I don't want to fight Joe," persisted Larry still smiling. + +"Ya, ya," persisted Mop. "Here, Joe, you knock this chip off +Larry's shoulder." Mop placed the gauge of battle on Larry's +shoulder. "Go ahead, Joe." + +To Joe a fight with a friend or a foe was an event of common +occurrence. With even a more dangerous opponent than Larry he +would not have hesitated. For to decline a fight was with Joe +utterly despicable. So placing himself in readiness for the blow +that should have been the inevitable consequence, he knocked the +chip off Larry's shoulder. Still Larry smiled at him. + +"Aw, your man's no good. He won't fight," cried Mop with +unspeakable disgust. "I told you he wouldn't fight. Do you know +why he won't fight? His mother belongs to that people, them +Quakers, that won't fight for anything. He's a coward an' his +mother's a coward before him." + +The smile faded from Larry's lips. His face which had been pale +flamed a quick red, then as quickly became dead white. He turned +from Joe and looked at the boy who was tormenting him. Mop was at +least four years older, strongly and heavily built. For a moment +Larry stood as though estimating Mop's fighting qualities. Then +apparently making up his mind that on ordinary terms, owing to his +lack in size and in strength, he was quite unequal to his foe, he +looked quickly about him and his eye fell upon a stout and +serviceable beechwood stake. With quiet deliberation he seized the +club and began walking slowly toward Mop, his eyes glittering as if +with madness, his face white as that of the dead. So terrifying +was his appearance that Mop began to back away. "Here you, look +out," he cried, "I will smash you." But Larry still moved steadily +upon him. His white face, his burning eyes, his steady advance was +more than Mop could endure. His courage broke. He turned and +incontinently fled. Whirling the stick over his head, Larry flung +the club with all his might after him. The club caught the fleeing +Mop fairly between the shoulders. At the same time his foot caught +a root. Down he went upon his face, uttering cries of deadly +terror. + +"Keep him off, keep him off. He will kill me, he will kill me." + +But Larry having shot his bolt ignored his fallen enemy, and +without a glance at him, or at either of the other boys, or without +a word to any of them, he walked away through the wood, and deaf to +their calling disappeared through the cedar swamp and made straight +for home and to his mother. With even, passionless voice, with +almost no sign of penitence, he told her the story of the day's +truancy. + +As her discriminating eye was quick in discerning his penitence, +so her forgiveness was quick in meeting his sin. But though her +forgiveness brought the boy a certain measure of relief he seemed +almost to take it for granted, and there still remained on his face +a look of pain and of more than pain that puzzled his mother. He +seemed to be in a maze of uncertainty and doubt and fear. His +mother could not understand his distress, for Larry had told her +nothing of his encounter with Mop. Throughout the evening there +pounded through the boy's memory the terrible words, "He is a +coward and his mother is a coward before him." Through his +father's prayer at evening worship those words continued to beat +upon his brain. He tried to prepare his school lessons for the day +following, but upon the page before his eyes the same words took +shape. He could not analyse his unutterable sense of shame. He +had been afraid to fight. He knew he was a coward, but there was a +deeper shame in which his mother was involved. She was a Quaker, +he knew, and he had a more or less vague idea that Quakers would +not fight. Was she then a coward? That any reflection should be +made upon his mother stabbed him to the heart. Again and again +Mop's sneering, grinning face appeared before his eyes. He felt +that he could have gladly killed him in the woods, but after all, +the paralysing thought ever recurred that what Mop said was true. +His mother was a coward! He put his head down upon his books and +groaned aloud. + +"What is it, dear?" inquired his mother. + +"I am going to bed, mother," he said. + +"Is your head bad?" she asked. + +"No, no, mother. It is nothing. I am tired," he said, and went +upstairs. + +Before she went to sleep the mother, as was her custom, looked in +upon him. The boy was lying upon his face with his arms flung over +his head, and when she turned him over to an easier position, on +the pillow and on his cheeks were the marks of tears. Gently she +pushed back the thick, black, wavy locks from his forehead, and +kissed him once and again. The boy turned his face toward her. +A long sobbing sigh came from his parted lips. He opened his eyes. + +"That you, mother?" he asked, the old whimsical smile at his lips. +"Good-night." + +He settled down into the clothes and in a moment was fast asleep. +The mother stood looking down upon her boy. He had not told her +his trouble, but her touch had brought him comfort, and for the +rest she was content to wait. + + + +CHAPTER II + +A FIGHT FOR FREEDOM + + +The village schoolhouse was packed to the door. Over the crowded +forms there fell a murky light from the smoky swinging lamp that +left dark unexplored depths in the corners of the room. On the +walls hung dilapidated maps at angles suggesting the interior of a +ship's cabin during a storm, or a party of revellers, returning +homeward, after the night before, gravely hilarious. Behind the +platform a blackboard, cracked into irregular spaces, preserved the +mental processes of the pupils during their working hours, and in +sharp contrast to these the terribly depressing perfection of the +teacher's exemplar in penmanship, which reminded the self- +complacent slacker that "Eternal vigilance is the price of +freedom." + +It was an evangelistic meeting. Behind the table, his face +illumined by the lamp thereon, stood a man turning over the leaves +of a hymn book. His aspect suggested a soul, gentle, mild and +somewhat abstracted from its material environment. The lofty +forehead gave promise of an idealism capable of high courage, +indeed of sacrifice--a promise, however, belied somewhat by an +irresolute chin partly hidden by a straggling beard. But the face +was sincere and tenderly human. At his side upon the platform sat +his wife behind a little portable organ, her face equally gentle, +sincere and irresolute. + +The assembly--with the extraordinary patience that characterises +public assemblies--waited for the opening of the meeting, following +with attentive eyes the vague and trifling movements of the man at +the table. Occasionally there was a rumble of deep voices in +conversation, and in the dark corners subdued laughter--while on +the front benches the animated and giggling whispering of three +little girls tended to relieve the hour from an almost superhuman +gravity. + +At length with a sudden acquisition of resolution the evangelist +glanced at his watch, rose, and catching up a bundle of hymn books +from the table thrust them with unnecessary energy into the hands +of a boy who sat on the side bench beside his mother. The boy was +Lawrence Gwynne. + +"Take these," said the man, "and distribute them, please." + +Lawrence taken thus by surprise paled, then flushed a quick red. +He glanced up at his mother and at her slight nod took the books +and distributed them among the audience on one side of the room +while the evangelist took the other. As the lad passed from bench +to bench with his books he was greeted with jocular and slightly +jeering remarks in undertone by the younger members of the company, +which had the effect of obviously increasing the ineptitude of his +thin nervous fingers, but could not quite dispel the whimsical +smile that lingered about the corners of his mouth and glanced from +the corners of his grey-blue eyes. + +The meeting opened with the singing of a popular hymn which carried +a refrain catchy enough but running to doggerel. Another hymn +followed and another. Then abruptly the evangelist announced, + +"Now we shall have a truly GREAT hymn, a hymn you must sing in a +truly great way, in what we call the grand style, number three +hundred and sixty-seven." + +Then in a voice, deep, thrilling, vibrant with a noble emotion, he +read the words: + + + "When I survey the wondrous cross + On which the Prince of Glory died, + My richest gain I count but loss, + And pour contempt on all my pride." + + +They sang the verse, and when they had finished he stood looking at +them in silence for a moment or two, then announced solemnly: + +"Friends, that will not do for this hymn. Sing it with your +hearts. Listen to me." + +Then he sang a verse in a deep, strong baritone. + +"Now try." + +Timidly they obeyed him. + +"No, no, not at all," he shouted at them. "Listen." + +Again with exquisitely distinct articulation and in a tone rich in +emotion and carrying in it the noble, penetrating pathos of the +great words in which is embodied the passion of that heart subduing +world tragedy. He would not let them try it again, but alone sang +the hymn to the end. By the spell of his voice he had gripped them +by the heart. The giggling girls in the front seat sat gazing at +him with open mouths and lifted eyes. From every corner of the +room faces once dull were filled with a great expectant look. + +"You will never sing those words as you should," he cried, "until +you know and feel the glory of that wondrous cross. Never, never, +never." His voice rose in a passionate crescendo. + +After he had finished singing the last great verse, he let his eyes +wander over the benches until they rested upon the face of the lad +on the side bench near him. + +"Aha, boy," he cried. "You can sing those words. Try that last +verse." + +The boy stared, fascinated, at him. + +"Sing the last verse, boy," commanded the evangelist, "sing." + +As if impelled by another will than his own, the boy slowly, with +his eyes still fastened on the man's face, threw back his head and +began to sing. His voice rose, full, strong, in a quaint imitation +in method of articulation and in voice production of the evangelist +himself. At the third line of the verse the evangelist joined in +great massive tones, beating time vigorously in a rallentando. + + + "Love so amazing, so divine, + Demands my soul, my life, my all." + + +The effect was a great emotional climax, the spiritual atmosphere +was charged with fervour. The people sat rigid, fixed in their +places, incapable of motion, until released by the invitation of +the leader, "Let us pray." The boy seemed to wake as from a sleep, +glanced at his mother, then at the faces of the people in the room, +sat down, and quickly covered his face with his hands and so +remained during the prayer. + +The dramatic effect of the singing was gradually dispelled in the +prayer and in a Scripture reading which followed. By the time the +leader was about to begin his address, the people had almost +relapsed into their normal mental and spiritual condition of +benevolent neutrality. A second time a text was announced, when +abruptly the door opened and up the aisle, with portentous +impressiveness as of a stately ocean liner coming to berth, a man +advanced whose presence seemed to fill the room and give it the +feeling of being unpleasantly crowded. A buzz went through the +seats. "The Rector! The Rector!" The evangelist gazed upon the +approaching form and stood as if incapable of proceeding until this +impressive personage should come to rest. Deliberately the Rector +advanced to the side bench upon which Larry and his mother were +seated, and slowly swinging into position calmly viewed the man +upon the platform, the woman at the organ, the audience filling the +room and then definitely came to anchor upon the bench. + +The preacher waited until this manoeuvre had been successfully +accomplished, coughed nervously, made as if to move in the +direction of the important personage on the side bench, hesitated, +and finally with an air of embarrassment once more announced his +text. At once the Rector was upon his feet. + +"Will you pardon me, sir," he began with elaborate politeness. "Do +I understand you're a clergyman?" + +"Oh, no, sir," replied the evangelist, "just a plain preacher." + +"You are not in any Holy Orders then?" + +"Oh, no, sir." + +"Are you an ordained or accredited minister of any of the--ah-- +dissenting bodies?" + +"Not exactly, sir." + +"Then, sir," demanded the Rector, "may I ask by what authority you +presume to exercise the functions of the holy ministry and in my +parish?" + +"Well--really--sir, I do not know why I--" + +"Then, sir, let me tell you this will not be permitted," said the +Rector sternly. "There are regularly ordained and accredited +ministers of the Church and of all religious bodies represented in +this neighbourhood, and your ministrations are not required." + +"But surely, sir," said the evangelist hurriedly as if anxious to +get in a word, "I may be permitted in this free country to preach +the Gospel." + +"Sir, there are regularly ordained and approved ministers of the +Gospel who are quite capable of performing this duty. I won't have +it, sir. I must protect these people from unlicensed, unregulated-- +ah--persons, of whose character and antecedents we have no +knowledge. Pray, sir," cried the Rector, taking a step toward the +man on the platform, "whom do you represent?" + +The evangelist drew himself up quietly and said, "My Lord and +Master, sir. May I ask whom do you represent?" + +It was a deadly thrust. For the first time during the encounter +the Rector palpably gave ground. + +"Eh? Ah--sir--I--ah--ahem--my standing in this community is +perfectly assured as an ordained clergyman of the Church of England +in Canada. Have you any organisation or church, any organised +Christian body to which you adhere and to which you are responsible?" + +"Yes." + +"What is that body?" + +"The Church of Christ--the body of believers." + +"Is that an organised body with ordained ministers and holy +sacraments?" + +"We do not believe in a paid ministry with special privileges and +powers," said the evangelist. "We believe that every disciple has +a right to preach the glorious Gospel." + +"Ah, then you receive no support from any source in this ministry +of yours?" + +The evangelist hesitated. "I receive no salary, sir." + +"No support?" + +"I receive no regular salary," reiterated the evangelist. + +"Do not quibble, sir," said the Rector sternly. "Do you receive +any financial support from any source whatever in your mission +about the country?" + +"I receive--" began the evangelist. + +"Do you or do you not?" thundered the Rector. + +"I was about to say that my expenses are paid by my society." + +"Thank you, no more need be said. These people can judge for +themselves." + +"I am willing that they should judge, but I remind you that there +is another Judge." + +"Yes, sir," replied the Rector with portentous solemnity, "there +is, before whom both you and I must stand." + +"And now then," said the evangelist, taking up the Bible, "we may +proceed with our meeting." + +"No, sir," replied the Rector, stepping upon the platform. "I will +not permit it." + +"You have no right to--" + +"I have every right to protect this community from heretical and +disingenuous, not to say dishonest, persons." + +"You call me dishonest?" + +"I said disingenuous." + +The evangelist turned toward the audience. "I protest against this +intrusion upon this meeting. I appeal to the audience for British +fair play." + +Murmurs were heard from the audience and subdued signs of approval. +The Rector glanced upon the people. + +"Fair play," he cried, "you will get as will any man who appears +properly accredited and properly qualified to proclaim the Gospel, +but in the name of this Christian community, I will prevent the +exploitation of an unwary and trusting people." + +"Liberty of speech!" called a voice from a dark corner. + +"Liberty of speech," roared the Rector. "Who of you wants liberty +of speech? Let him stand forth." + +There followed a strained and breathless silence. The champion of +free speech retreated behind his discretion. + +"Ah, I thought so," said the Rector in grim contempt. + +But even as he spoke a quiet voice invaded the tense silence like +a bell in a quiet night. It was Mrs. Gwynne, her slight girlish +figure standing quietly erect, her face glowing as with an inner +light, her eyes resting in calm fearlessness upon the Rector's +heated countenance. + +"Sir," she said, "my conscience will not permit me to sit in +silence in the presence of what I feel to be an infringement of the +rights of free people. I venture very humbly to protest against +this injustice, and to say that this gentleman has a right to be +heard." + +An even more intense silence fell upon the people. The Rector +stood speechless, gazing upon the little woman who had thus broken +every tradition of the community in lifting her voice in a public +assembly and who had dared to challenge the authority of one who +for nearly twenty years had been recognised as the autocrat of the +village and of the whole countryside. But the Rector was an alert +and gallant fighter. He quickly recovered his poise. + +"If Mrs. Gwynne, our good friend and neighbour, desires to address +this meeting," he said with a courteous and elaborate bow, "and I +am sure by training and tradition she is quite capable of doing so, +I am confident that all of us will be delighted to listen to her. +But the question in hand is not quite so simple as she imagines. +It is--" + +"Liberty of speech," said the voice again from the dark corner. + +The Rector wheeled fiercely in the direction from which the +interruption came. + +"Who speaks," he cried; "why does he shrink into the darkness? Let +him come forth." + +Again discretion held the interrupter silent. + +"As for you--you, sir," continued the Rector, turning upon the +evangelist, "if you desire--" + +But at this point there was a sudden commotion from the opposite +side of the room. A quaint dwarfish figure, crippled but full of +vigour, stumped up to the platform. + +"My son," he said, grandly waving the Rector to one side, "allow +me, my son. You have done well. Now I shall deal with this +gentleman." + +The owner of the misshapen body had a noble head, a face marked +with intellectual quality, but the glitter in the large blue eye +told the same tale of mental anarchy. Startled and astonished, +the evangelist backed away from the extraordinary creature that +continued to advance upon him. + +"Sir," cried the dwarf, "by what right do you proclaim the divine +message to your fellowmen? Have you known the cross, have you felt +the piercing crown, do you bear upon your body the mark of the +spear?" At this with a swift upward hitch of his shirt the dwarf +exposed his bare side. The evangelist continued to back away from +his new assailant, who continued vigorously to follow him up. The +youngsters in the crowd broke into laughter. The scene passed +swiftly from tragedy to farce. At this point the Rector interposed. + +"Come, come, John," he said, laying a firm, but gentle, hand upon +the dwarf's shoulder. "That will do now. He is perfectly +harmless, sir," he said, addressing the evangelist. Then turning +to the audience, "I think we may dismiss this meeting," and, +raising his hands, he pronounced the benediction, and the people +dispersed in disorder. + +With a strained "Good-night, sir," to the evangelist and a +courteous bow to Mrs. Gwynne, the Rector followed the people, +leaving the evangelist and his wife behind packing up their hymn +books and organ, their faces only too clearly showing the distress +which they felt. Mrs. Gwynne moved toward them. + +"I am truly grieved," she said, addressing the evangelist, "that +you were not given an opportunity to deliver your message." + +"What a terrible creature that is," he exclaimed in a tone +indicating nervous anxiety. + +"Oh, you mean poor John?" said Mrs. Gwynne. "The poor man is quite +harmless. He became excited with the unusual character of the +meeting. He will disturb you no more." + +"I fear it is useless," said the evangelist. "I cannot continue in +the face of this opposition." + +"It may be difficult, but not useless," replied Mrs. Gwynne, the +light of battle glowing in her grey eyes. + +"Ah, I do not know. It may not be wise to stir up bad feeling in a +community, to bring the name of religion into disrepute by strife. +But," he continued, offering his hand, "let me thank you warmly for +your sympathy. It was splendidly courageous of you. Do you--do +you attend his church?" + +"Yes, we worship with the Episcopal Church. I am a Friend myself." + +"Ah, then it was a splendidly courageous act. I honour you for +it." + +"But you will continue your mission?" she replied earnestly. + +"Alas, I can hardly see how the mission can be continued. There +seems to be no opening." + +Mrs. Gwynne apparently lost interest. "Good-bye," she said simply, +shaking hands with them both, and without further words left the +room with her boy. For some distance they walked together along +the dark road in silence. Then in an awed voice the boy said: + +"How could you do it, mother? You were not a bit afraid." + +"Afraid of what, the Rector?" + +"No, not the Rector--but to speak up that way before all the +people." + +"It was hard to speak," said his mother, "very hard, but it was +harder to keep silent. It did not seem right." + +The boy's heart swelled with a new pride in his mother. "Oh, +mother," he said, "you were splendid. You were like a soldier +standing there. You were like the martyrs in my book." + +"Oh, no, no, my boy." + +"I tell you yes, mother, I was proud of you." + +The thrilling passion in the little boy's voice went to his +mother's heart. "Were you, my boy?" she said, her voice faltering. +"I am glad you were." + +Hand in hand they walked along, the boy exulting in his restored +pride in his mother and in her courage. But a new feeling soon +stirred within him. He remembered with a pain intolerable that he +had allowed the word of so despicable a creature as Mop Cheatley +to shake his faith in his mother's courage. Indignation at the +wretched creature who had maligned her, but chiefly a passionate +self-contempt that he had allowed himself to doubt her, raged +tumultuously in his heart and drove him in a silent fury through +the dark until they reached their own gate. Then as his mother's +hand reached toward the latch, the boy abruptly caught her arm in a +fierce grip. + +"Mother," he burst forth in a passionate declaration of faith, +"you're not a coward." + +"A coward?" replied his mother, astonished. + +The boy's arms went around her, his head pressed into her bosom. +In a voice broken with passionate sobs he poured forth his tale of +shame and self-contempt. + +"He said you were a Quaker, that the Quakers were cowards, and +would never fight, and that you were a coward, and that you would +never fight. But you would, mother, wouldn't you? And you're not +a real Quaker, are you, mother?" + +"A Quaker," said his mother. "Yes, dear, I belong to the Friends, +as we call them." + +"And they, won't they ever fight?" demanded the boy anxiously. + +"They do not believe that fighting with fists, or sticks, or like +wild beasts," said his mother, "ever wins anything worth while." + +"Never, mother?" cried the boy, anxiety and fear in his tones. +"You would fight, you would fight to-night, you would fight the +Rector." + +"Yes, my boy," said his mother quietly, "that kind of fighting we +believe in. Our people have never been afraid to stand up for the +right, and to suffer for it too. Remember that, my boy," a certain +pride rang out in the mother's voice. She continued, "We must +never be afraid to suffer for what we believe to be right. You +must never forget that through all your life, Larry." Her voice +grew solemn. "You must never, never go back from what you know to +be right, even if you have to suffer for it." + +"Oh, mother," whispered the boy through his sobs, "I wish I were +brave like you." + +"No, no, not like me," whispered his mother, putting her face down +to his. "You will be much braver than your mother, my boy, oh, +very much braver than your mother." + +The boy still clung to her as if he feared to let her go. "Oh, +mother," he whispered, "do you think I can be brave?" + +"Yes, my boy," her voice rang out again confident and clear. "It +always makes us brave to know that He bore the cross for us and +died rather than betray us." + +There were no more words between them, but the memory of that night +never faded from the boy's mind. A new standard of heroism was set +up within his soul which he might fail to reach but which he could +never lower. + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE ESCUTCHEON CLEARED + + +Mr. Michael Gwynne, the Mapleton storekeeper, was undoubtedly the +most popular man not in the village only but in the whole township. +To begin with he was a man of high character, which was sufficiently +guaranteed by the fact that he was chosen as Rector's Warden in All +Saints Episcopal Church. He was moreover the Rector's right-hand +man, ready to back up any good cause with personal effort, with a +purse always open but not often full, and with a tongue that was +irresistible, for he had to an extraordinary degree the gift of +persuasive speech. Therefore, the Rector's first move in launching +any new scheme was to secure the approval and co-operation of his +Warden. + +By the whole community too Mr. Gwynne was recognised as a gentleman, +a gentleman not in appearance and bearing only, a type calculated to +repel plain folk, but a gentleman in heart, with a charm of manner +which proceeded from a real interest in and consideration for the +welfare of others. This charm of manner proved a valuable asset to +him in his business, for behind his counter Mr. Gwynne had a rare +gift of investing the very calicoes and muslins which he displayed +before the dazzled eyes of the ladies who came to buy with a glamour +that never failed to make them appear altogether desirable; and even +the hard-headed farmers fell under this spell of his whether he +described to them the superexcellent qualities of a newly patented +cream separator or the virtues of a new patent medicine for ailing +horses whose real complaint was overwork or underfeeding. With all +this, moreover, Mr. Gwynne was rigidly honest. No one ever thought +of disputing an account whether he paid it or not, and truth demands +that with Mr. Gwynne's customers the latter course was more +frequently adopted. + +It was at this point that Mr. Gwynne failed of success as a +business man. He could buy with discrimination, he had a rare gift +of salesmanship, but as a collector, in the words of Sam Cheatley, +the village butcher, himself a conspicuous star in that department +of business activity, "He was not worth a tinker's curse." His +accounts were sent out punctually twice a year. His wife saw to +that. At times of desperation when pressure from the wholesale +houses became urgent, special statements were sent out by Mr. +Gwynne himself. But in such cases the apology accompanying these +statements was frequently such as to make immediate payment seem +almost an insult. His customers held him in high esteem, respected +his intellectual ability--for he was a Trinity man--were fascinated +by his charm of manner, loved him for his kindly qualities, but +would not pay their bills. + +Many years ago, having failed to work harmoniously with his +business partner, a shrewd, hard-headed, Belfast draper--hard- +hearted Mr. Gwynne considered him--Mr. Gwynne had decided to +emigrate to Canada with the remnant of a small fortune which was +found to be just sufficient to purchase the Mapleton general store, +and with it a small farm of fifty acres on the corner of which the +store stood. It was the farm that decided the investment; for Mr. +Gwynne was possessed of the town man's infatuation for farm life +and of the optimistic conviction that on the farm a living at least +for himself and his small family would be assured. + +But his years of business in Mapleton had gradually exhausted his +fortune and accumulated a staggering load of debt which was the +occasion of moments of anxiety, even of fear, to the storekeeper. +There was always the thought in his mind that against his +indebtedness on the credit side there were his book accounts which +ran up into big figures. There was always, if the worst came to +the worst, the farm. But if Mr. Gwynne was no business man still +less was he a farmer. Tied to his store by reason of his inability +to afford a competent assistant, the farming operations were +carried on in haphazard fashion by neighbours who were willing to +liquidate their store debts with odd days' work at times most +convenient to themselves, but not always most seasonable for the +crops. Hence in good years, none too good with such haphazard +farming, the farm was called upon to make up the deficiency in the +financial returns of the store. In bad years notes had to be +renewed with formidable accumulations of interest. But such was +Mr. Gwynne's invincible optimism that he met every new embarrassment +with some new project giving new promise of success. + +Meanwhile during these painful years his brave little wife by her +garden and her poultry materially helped to keep the family in food +and to meet in some degree the household expenses. She was her own +servant except that the Widow Martin came to her aid twice a week. +Her skill with needle and sewing machine and a certain creative +genius which she possessed enabled her to evolve from her husband's +old clothes new clothes for her boy, and from her own clothing, +when not too utterly worn, dresses for her two little girls. And +throughout these years with all their toil and anxiety she met each +day with a spirit undaunted and with a face that remained serene as +far at least as her husband and her children ever saw. Nor did she +allow the whole weight of trials to taint the sweetness of her +spirit or to dim her faith in God. Devoted to her husband, she +refused to allow herself to criticise his business ability or +methods. The failure, which she could not but admit, was not his +fault; it was the fault of those debtors who declined to pay their +just dues. + +In an hour of desperation she ventured to point out to her husband +that these farmers were extending their holdings and buying +machinery with notes that bore interest. "And besides, Michael," +she said, "Lawrence must go to High School next year. He will pass +the Entrance examination this summer, and he must go." + +"He shall go," said her husband. "I am resolved to make a change +in my method of business. I shall go after these men. They shall +no longer use my money for their business and for their families +while my business and my family suffer. You need not look that +way, I have made up my mind and I shall begin at once." + +Unfortunately the season was not suitable for collections. The +farmers were engrossed with their harvesting, and after that with +the fall ploughing, and later with the marketing of their grain. +And as the weeks passed Mr. Gwynne's indignant resolve that his +customers should not do business on his money gradually cooled +down. The accounts were sent out as usual, and with the usual +disappointing result. + +Meantime Mr. Gwynne's attention was diverted from his delinquent +debtors by an enterprise which to an unusual degree awakened his +sympathy and kindled his imagination. The Reverend Heber Harding, +ever since his unfortunate encounter with the travelling evangelist, +was haunted with the uneasy feeling that he and his church were not +completely fulfilling their functions in the community and +justifying their existence. The impression had been the more +painfully deepened in him by the sudden eruption of a spirit of +recklessness and a certain tendency to general lawlessness in some +of the young men of the village. As a result of a conference with +the leading men of his congregation, he had decided to organise a +young men's club. The business of setting this club in active +operation was handed over to Mr. Gwynne, than whom no one in the +village was better fitted for the work. The project appealed to Mr. +Gwynne's imagination. A room was secured in the disused Orange +Hall. Subscriptions were received to make purchase of apparatus +and equipment necessary for games of various sorts. With vivid +remembrance of his college days, Mr. Gwynne saw to it that as part +of the equipment a place should be found for a number of sets of +boxing gloves. + +There were those who were not too sure of the uplifting influence +of the boxing gloves. But after Mr. Gwynne had given an exhibition +of the superior advantages of science over brute force in a bout +with Mack Morrison before a crowded hall, whatever doubt might +exist as to the ethical value of the boxing gloves, there was no +doubt at all as to their value as an attractive force in the +building up of the membership of the Young Men's Club. The boxing +class became immensely popular, and being conducted under Mr. +Gwynne's most rigid supervision, it gradually came to exert a most +salutary influence upon its members. They learned, for one thing, +to take hard knocks without losing their tempers. + +In the boxing class thus established, none showed a greater +eagerness to learn than did Larry. Every moment of his father's +spare time he utilised to add to his knowledge of the various +feints and guards and cuts and punches and hooks that appeared +necessary to a scientific acquaintance with the manly art. He +developed an amazing capacity to accept punishment. Indeed, he +appeared almost to welcome rough handling, especially from the +young men and boys bigger than himself. Light in weight and not +very muscular, he was wiry and quick in eye and in action, and +under his father's teaching he learned how to "make his heels save +his head." He was always ready for a go with any one who might +offer, and when all others had wearied of the sport Larry would put +in an extra half hour with the punching bag. With one boy only he +refused to spar. No persuasion, no taunts, no challenge could +entice him to put on the gloves with Mop Cheatley. He could never +look steadily at Mop for any length of time without seeing again on +his face the sneering grin and hearing again the terrible words +spoken two years ago in the cedar woods behind the mill pond: +"You're a coward and your mother's a coward before you." He +refused to spar with Mop for he knew that once face to face with +him he could not spar, he must fight. But circumstances made the +contest inevitable. In the working out of a tournament, it chanced +that Mop was drawn to face Larry, and although the disparity both +in age and weight seemed to handicap the smaller boy to an +excessive degree, Larry's friends who were arranging the schedule, +among them Mack Morrison with big Ben Hopper and Joe Gagneau as +chorus, and who knew something of Larry's skill with his hands and +speed on his feet, were not unwilling to allow the draw to stand. + +The days preceding the tournament were days of misery for Larry. +The decision in the contest would of course be on points and he +knew that he could outpoint without much difficulty his antagonist +who was clumsy and slow. For the decision Larry cared nothing at +all. At the most he had little to lose for it would be but small +disgrace to be beaten by a boy so much bigger. The cause of his +distress was something quite other than this. He knew that from +the first moment of the bout he would be fighting. That this +undoubtedly would make Mop fight back, and he was haunted by the +fear that in the stress of battle he might play the coward. Would +he be able to stand up to Mop when the fight began to go against +him? And suppose he should run away, should show himself a coward? +How could he ever live after that, how look any of the boys in the +face? Worst of all, how could he face his father, whose approval +in this boxing game since he had revealed himself as a "fighting +man" the boy coveted more than anything else. But his father was +not present when the boy stepped into the ring. Impelled by the +dread of showing himself a coward and running away, Larry flung to +the winds his father's favourite maxim, "Let your heels save your +head," a maxim which ought if ever to be observed in such a bout as +this in which he was so out-classed in weight. + +At the word "Time" Larry leaped for his opponent and almost before +Mop was aware that the battle had begun he was being blinded, +staggered and beaten all around the ring, and only a lucky blow, +flung wildly into space and landing heavily upon Larry's face, +saved him from complete defeat in the first round. That single +heavy blow was sufficient to give temporary pause to Larry's +impetuosity, but as soon as he got back his wind he once more ran +in, feinting, ducking, plunging, but ever pressing hard upon his +antagonist, who, having recovered from his first surprise, began to +plant heavy blows upon Larry's ribs, until at the end of the round +the boy was glad enough to sink back into his corner gasping for +breath. + +Ben Hopper, who was acting as Larry's second, was filled with +surprise and indignation at his principal's fighting tactics. +"You blame fool," he said to Larry as he ministered to his all too +apparent necessities. "What do you think you're doing? Do you +think he's a sausage machine and you a bloody porker? Keep away +from him. You know he's too heavy for you. If he were not so +clumsy he would have had you out before this. One good punch from +him would do it. Why don't you do your foot work?" + +"Corec," said Joe. "Larree, you fight all the same Mack Morrison's +ram. Head down, jump in--head down, jump in. Why you run so queek +on dat Mop feller? Why you not make him run after you?" + +"He's right, Larry," said Ben. "Use your feet; make him come after +you. You will sure get his wind." + +But Larry stood recovering his breath, glowering meanwhile at his +enemy across the ring. He neither heeded nor heard the entreaties +of his friends. In his ears one phrase only rang with insistent +reiteration. "He's a coward, an' his mother's a coward before +him." Only one obsession possessed him, he must keep hard at his +enemy. + +"Time!" The second round was on. Like a tiger upon his prey, +Larry was upon his foe, driving fast and furious blows upon his +head and face. But this time Mop was ready for him, and bearing +in, head down, he took on his left guard the driving blows with no +apparent injury, and sent back some half a dozen heavy swings that +broke down Larry's guard, drove him across the ring and finally +brought him gasping to his knees. + +"Stay where you are," yelled Ben. "Take your count, Larry, and +keep away from him. Do you hear me? Keep away, always away." + +At the ninth count Larry sprang to his feet, easily eluded Mop's +swinging blow, and slipping lightly around the ring, escaped +further attack until he had picked up his wind. + +"That's the game," yelled Ben. "Keep it up, old boy, keep it up." + +"C'est bon stuff, Larree," yelled Joe, dancing wildly in Ben's +corner. "C'est bon stuff, Larree, for sure." + +But once more master of his wind, Larry renewed his battering +assault upon Mop's head, inflicting some damage indeed, but +receiving heavy punishment in return. The close of the round found +him exhausted and bleeding. In spite of the adjurations and +entreaties of his friends, Larry pursued the same tactics in the +third round, which ended even more disastrously than the second. +His condition was serious enough to bring Mack Morrison to his +side. + +"What's up with you, Larry?" said Mack. "Where's your science +gone? Why don't you play the game as you know it?" + +"Mack, Mack," panted Larry. "It ain't a game. I'm--I'm fighting, +and, Mack, I'm not afraid of him." + +Mack whistled. "Who said you are afraid of him, youngster?" + +"He did, Mack, he called me a coward--you remember, Ben, up in the +cedar bush that day we played hookey--you remember, Ben?" Ben +nodded. "He called me a coward and"--grinding the words between +his teeth--"he called my mother a coward. But I am not afraid of +him, Mack--he can't make me afraid; he can't make me run away." +What with his rage and his secret fear, the boy had quite lost +control of himself. + +"So that's it," said Mack, reading both rage and fear in his eyes. +"Listen to me, Larry," he continued in a voice low and stern. "You +quit this monkey work right now or, by the jumping Jehoshaphat, I +will lick the tar out of you myself when this is over. You're not +afraid of him; I know that--we all know that. But you don't want +to kill him, eh? No. What you want is to make him look like a +fool. Well, then, fight, if you want to fight, but remember your +rules. Play with him, make him follow you round until you get his +wind; there's your chance. Then get him hard and get away." + +But the boy spoke no word in reply. He was staring gloomily, +desperately, before him into space. + +Mack seized him, and shaking him impatiently, said, "Larry boy, +listen to me. Don't you care for anybody but yourself? Don't you +care for me at all?" + +At that Larry appeared to wake up as from a sleep. + +"What did you say, Mack?" he answered. "Of course I care, you know +that, Mack." + +"Then," said Mack, "for God's sake, get a smile on your face. +Smile, confound you, smile." + +The boy passed his gloved hand over his face, looked for a moment +into Mack's eyes, and the old smile came back to his lips. + +"Now you're all right," cried Mack in triumph. "Remember your +father's rule, 'Keep your head with your heels.'" And Larry did +remember! For on the call of "Time" he slipped from Ben's knees +and began to circle lightly about Mop, smiling upon him and waiting +his chance. His chance soon came, for Mop, thinking that his enemy +had had about enough and was ready to quit, adopted aggressive +tactics, and, feinting with his right, swung heavily with his left +at the smiling face. But the face proved elusive, and upon Mop's +undefended head a series of blows dealt with savage fury took all +the heart out of him. So he cried to the referee as he ducked into +his corner: + +"He's fightin'. He's fightin'. I'm not fightin'." + +"You'd better get busy then," called Ben derisively from his +corner. "Now, Larry, sail into him," and Larry sailed in with such +vehemence that Mop fairly turned tail and ran around the ring, +Larry pursuing him amid the delighted shouts of the spectators. + +This ended the contest, the judges giving the decision to Mop, who, +though obviously beaten at the finish, had showed a distinct +superiority on points. As for Larry, the decision grieved him not +at all. He carried home a face slightly disfigured but triumphant, +his sole comment to his mother upon the contest being, "I was not +afraid of him anyway, mother; he could not make me run." + +"I am not so sure of this boxing, Lawrence," she said, but the boy +caught the glint in her eyes and was well enough content. + +In the late evening Ben, with Larry and Joe following him, took +occasion to look in upon Mop at the butcher shop. + +"Say, Mop," said Ben pleasantly, "what do you think of Larry now? +Would you say he was a coward?" + +"What do you mean?" asked Mop, suspecting trouble. + +"Just what I say," said Ben, while Larry moved up within range, his +face white, his eyes gleaming. + +"I ain't saying nothing about nobody," replied Mop sullenly, with +the tail of his eye upon Larry's white face and gleaming eyes. + +"You say him one tam--in de cedar swamp," said Joe. + +"Would you say Larry was a coward?" repeated Ben. + +"No, I wouldn't say nothing of the sort," replied Mop promptly. + +"Do you think he is a coward?" persisted Ben. + +"No," said Mop, "I know he ain't no coward. He don't fight like no +coward." + +This appeared to satisfy Ben, but Larry, moving slightly nearer, +took up the word for himself. + +"And would you say my mother was a coward?" he asked in a tense +voice, his body gathered as if for a spring. + +"Larry, I wouldn't say nothing about your mother," replied Mop +earnestly. "I think your mother's a bully good woman. She was +awfully good to my mother last winter, I know." + +The spring went out of Larry's body. He backed away from Mop and +the boys. + +"Who said your mother was a coward?" inquired Mop indignantly. "If +anybody says so, you bring him to me, and I'll punch his head good, +I will." + +Larry looked foolishly at Ben, who looked foolishly back at him. + +"Say, Mop," said Larry, a smile like a warm light passing over his +face, "come on up and see my new rabbits." + + + +CHAPTER IV + +SALVAGE + + +Another and greater enterprise was diverting Mr. Gwynne's attention +from the delinquencies of his debtors, namely: the entrance of the +National Machine Company into the remote and placid life of +Mapleton and its district. The manager of this company, having +spent an afternoon with Mr. Gwynne in his store and having been +impressed by his charm and power of persuasive talk, made him a +proposition that he should act as agent of the National Machine +Company. The arrangement suggested was one that appealed to Mr. +Gwynne's highly optimistic temperament. He was not to work for a +mere salary, but was to purchase outright the various productions +of the National Machine Company and receive a commission upon all +his sales. The figures placed before Mr. Gwynne by the manager of +the company were sufficiently impressive, indeed so impressive that +Mr. Gwynne at once accepted the proposition, and the Mapleton +branch of the National Machine Company became an established fact. + +There was no longer any question as to the education of his family. +In another year when his boy had passed his entrance examinations +he would be able to send him to the high school in the neighbouring +town of Easton, properly equipped and relieved of those handicaps +with which poverty can so easily wash all the colour out of young +life. A brilliant picture the father drew before the eyes of his +wife of the educational career of their boy, who had already given +promise of exceptional ability. But while she listened, charmed, +delighted and filled with proud anticipation, the mother with none +the less painful care saved her garden and poultry money, cut to +bare necessity her household expenses, skimped herself and her +children in the matter of dress, and by every device which she had +learned in the bitter school of experience during the ten years of +her Canadian life, made such preparation for the expenses of her +boy's education as would render it unnecessary to call upon the +wealth realised from the National Machine Company's business. + +In the matter of providing for the expense of his education Larry +himself began to take a not unimportant part. During the past two +years he had gained not only in size but in the vigour of his +health, and in almost every kind of work on the farm he could now +take a man's place. His mother would not permit him to give his +time and strength to their own farming operations for the sufficient +reason that from these there would be no return in ready money, and +ready money was absolutely essential to the success of her plans. +The boy was quick, eager and well-mannered, and in consequence had +no difficulty in finding employment with the neighbouring farmers. +So much was this the case that long before the closing of school in +the early summer Larry was offered work for the whole summer by +their neighbour, Mr. Martin, at one dollar a day. He could hardly +believe his good fortune inasmuch as he had never in all his life +been paid at a rate exceeding half that amount. + +"I shall have a lot of money, mother," he said, "for my high school +now. I wonder how much it will cost me for the term." + +Thereupon his mother seized the opportunity to discuss the problem +with him which she knew they must face together. + +"Let us see," said his mother. + +Then each with pencil and paper they drew up to the table, but +after the most careful paring down of expenses and the most +optimistic estimate of their resources consistent with fact, they +made the rather discouraging discovery that they were still fifty +dollars short. + +"I can't do it, mother," said Larry, in bitter disappointment. + +"We shall not give up yet," said his mother. "Indeed, I think with +what we can make out of the farm and garden and poultry, we ought +to be able to manage." + +But a new and chilling thought had come to the lad. He pondered +silently, and as he pondered his face became heavily shadowed. + +"Say, mother," he said suddenly, "we can't do it. How much are you +going to spend on your clothes?" + +"All I need," said his mother brightly. + +"But how much?" + +"I don't know." + +"How much did you spend last year?" + +"Oh, never mind, Lawrence; that really does not matter." + +But the boy insisted. "Did you spend thirty-one dollars?" His +mother laughed at him. + +"Did you spend twenty?" + +"No." + +"Did you spend fifteen?" + +"I do not know," said his mother, "and I am not going to talk about +it. My clothes and the girls' clothes will be all right for this +year." + +"Mother," said Larry, "I am not going to school this year. I am +not going to spend thirty-one dollars for clothes while you and the +girls spend nothing. I am going to work first, and then go to +school. I am not going to school this year." The boy rose from +his chair and stood and faced his mother with quivering lips, +fighting to keep back the tears. + +Mother reached out her hand and drew him toward her. "My darling +boy," she said in a low voice, "I love to hear you, but listen to +me. Are you listening? You must be educated. Nothing must +interfere with that. No suffering is too great to be endured by +all of us. The time for education is youth; first because your +mind works more quickly and retains better what it acquires, and +second because it is a better investment, and you will sooner be +able to pay us all back what we spend now. So you will go to +school this year, boy, if we can manage it, and I think we can. +Some day," she added, patting him on the shoulder, and holding him +off from her, "when you are rich you will give me a silk dress." + +"Won't I just," cried the boy passionately, "and the girls too, and +everything you want, and I will give you a good time yet, mother. +You deserve the best a woman ever had and I will give it to you." + +The mother turned her face away from him and looked out of the +window. She saw not the fields of growing grain but a long vista +of happy days ever growing in beauty and in glory until she could +see no more for the tears that quietly fell. The boy dropped on +his knees beside her. + +"Oh, mother, mother," he said. "You have been wonderful to us all, +and you have had an awfully hard time. A fellow never knows, does +he?" + +"A hard time? A hard time?" said his mother, a great surprise in +her voice and in her face. "No, my boy, no hard time for me. A +dear, dear, lovely time with you all, every day, every day. Never +do I want a better time than I have had with you." + +The event proved the wisdom of Mrs. Gwynne's determination to put +little faith in the optimistic confidence of her husband in regard +to the profits to be expected from the operations of the National +Machine Company. A year's business was sufficient to demonstrate +that the Mapleton branch of the National Machine Company was +bankrupt. By every law of life it ought to be bankrupt. With all +his many excellent qualities Mr. Gwynne possessed certain fatal +defects as a business man. With him the supreme consideration was +simply the getting rid of the machines purchased by him as rapidly +and in such large numbers as possible. He cheerfully ignored the +laws that governed the elemental item of profit. Hence the +relentless Nemesis that sooner or later overtakes those who, +whether ignorantly or maliciously, break laws, fell upon the +National Machine Company and upon those who had the misfortune to +be associated with it. + +In the wreck of the business Mr. Gwynne's store, upon which the +National Machine Company had taken the precaution to secure a +mortgage, was also involved. The business went into the hands of a +receiver and was bought up at about fifty cents on the dollar by a +man recently from western Canada whose specialty was the handling +of business wreckage. No one after even a cursory glance at his +face would suspect Mr. H. P. Sleighter of deficiency in business +qualities. The snap in the cold grey eye, the firm lines in the +long jaw, the thin lips pressed hard together, all proclaimed the +hard-headed, cold-hearted, iron-willed man of business. Mr. +Sleighter, moreover, had a remarkable instinct for values, more +especially for salvage values. It was this instinct that led him +to the purchase of the National Machine Company wreckage, which +included as well the Mapleton general store, with its assets in +stock and book debts. + +Mr. Sleighter's methods with the easy-going debtors of the company +in Mapleton and the surrounding district were of such galvanic +vigour that even so practiced a procrastinator as Farmer Martin +found himself actually drawing money from his hoarded bank account +to pay his store debts--a thing unheard of in that community--and +to meet overdue payments upon the various implements which he had +purchased from the National Machine Company. It was not until +after the money had been drawn and actually paid that Mr. Martin +came fully to realise the extraordinary nature of his act. + +"That there feller," he said, looking from the receipt in his hand +to the store door through which the form of Mr. Sleighter had just +vanished, "that there feller, he's too swift fer me. He ain't got +any innards to speak of; he'd steal the pants off a dog, he would." + +The application of these same galvanically vigorous methods to Mr. +Gwynne's debtors produced surprising results. Mr. Sleighter made +the astounding discovery that Mr. Gwynne's business instead of +being bankrupt would produce not only one hundred cents on the +dollar, but a slight profit as well. This discovery annoyed Mr. +Sleighter. He hated to confess a mistake in business judgment, and +he frankly confessed he "hated to see good money roll past him." +Hence with something of a grudge he prepared to hand over to Mr. +Gwynne some twelve hundred and fifty dollars of salvage money. + +"I suppose he will be selling out his farm," said Mr. Sleighter in +conversation with Mr. Martin. "What's land worth about here?" + +"Oh, somewhere about a hundred." + +"A hundred dollars an acre!" exclaimed Mr. Sleighter. "Don't try +to put anything over on me. Personally I admire your generous, +kindly nature, but as a financial adviser you don't shine. I guess +I won't bother about that farm anyway." + +Mr. Sleighter's question awakened earnest thought in Mr. Martin, +and the next morning he approached Mr. Gwynne with a proposition to +purchase his farm with its attached buildings. Mr. Martin made it +clear that he was chiefly anxious to do a neighbourly turn. + +"The house and the stable ain't worth much," he said, "but the farm +bein' handy to my property, I own up is worth more to me than to +other folks, perhaps. So bein' old neighbours, I am willin' to +give four thousand dollars, half cash down, for the hull business." + +"Surely that is a low figure," said Mr. Gwynne. + +"Low figure!" exclaimed Mr. Martin. "All right, I ain't pressin' +it on you; but if you could get any one in this neighbourhood to +offer four thousand dollars for your farm, I will give you five +hundred extra. But," he continued, "I ain't pressin' you. Don't +much matter to me." + +The offer came at a psychologically critical moment, when Mr. +Gwynne was desperately seeking escape from an intolerable +environment. + +"I shall consult Mrs. Gwynne," he said, "and let you know in a few +days." + +"Don't know as I can wait that long," said Mr. Martin. "I made the +offer to oblige you, and besides I got a chance at the Monroe +fifty." + +"Call to-morrow night," said Mr. Gwynne, and carried the proposal +home to his wife. + +The suggestion to break up her home to a woman of Mrs. Gwynne's +type is almost shattering. In the big world full of nameless +terrors the one spot offering shelter and safety for herself and +her family was her home. But after all, her husband was her great +concern, and she could see he was eager for the change. She made +up her mind to the sacrifice and decided that she would break up +the home in Mapleton and with her husband try again their fortune. + +"But four thousand dollars," she said, "is surely a small price." + +"Small? I know it is small, but Martin knows I am in a corner. He +is a highway robber." + +It was a bitter experience for him to be forced to confess himself +a business failure, and with this bitterness there mingled a +feeling of hostility toward all successful business men. To him it +seemed that in order to win success in business a man must become, +like Mr. Martin, a highway robber. In this mood of bitterness and +hostility toward successful men, Mr. Sleighter found him the next +day. + +"Couldn't find you at the store," said that gentleman, walking in +with his hat on his head. "I wanted to get this business +straightened up, so I just came in. Won't take more than five +minutes. I guess you won't mind taking a little check from me. +Your business turned out better than that fool of an assignee +thought. Don't hurt me any, of course. I got all that was comin' +to me out of it, but here's this check. Perhaps you'll sign the +receipt. I guess they been puttin' it over you all right. You're +a little too soft with 'em." + +Mr. Gwynne was an even-tempered man, but Mr. Sleighter's patronising +manner and his criticism of his business ability wrought in him a +rage that he could with difficulty control. He remembered he was in +his own house, however, and that the man before him was a stranger. +While he was searching for pen and ink the door opened and his wife +entered the room. Mr. Sleighter, with his hat still upon his head, +was intently gazing out of the window, easily rocking on the two +hind legs of the chair. The door opened behind him. + +"My dear," said Mr. Gwynne, "will you excuse me? I am engaged." + +"Oh, I beg your pardon, I didn't know any one was here. I merely +wanted--" + +Mr. Sleighter glanced over his shoulder. + +"Mr. Sleighter," said Mr. Gwynne. "My wife." + +It was not his tone, however, that brought Mr. Sleighter hurriedly +to his feet with his hat in his hand. It was something in the +bearing of the little lady standing behind him. + +"Pleased to meet you, ma'am. I hope you are well," he said, bowing +elaborately before her. + +"Thank you very much, I am quite well. I have heard a great deal +about you, Mr. Sleighter. I am glad to meet you." + +Mr. Sleighter held her hand a moment while her eyes rested quietly +and kindly, if searchingly, upon his face. This was the man who +had profited by her husband's loss. Was he too a highway robber? +Mr. Sleighter somehow felt as if his soul were being exposed to a +searchlight. It made him uncomfortable. + +"It's a fine day, ma'am," he remarked, seeking cover for his soul +in conversation. "A little warm for the time," he continued, +wiping his forehead with a highly coloured silk handkerchief. + +"Won't you sit down, Mr. Sleighter? Do you find it warm? I +thought there was quite a chilly wind to-day. But then you are +more accustomed to the wind than I." + +The searching eyes were holding him steadily, but the face was +kindly and full of genuine interest. + +"I guess so," he said with a little laugh. He would have scorned +to acknowledge that his laugh was nervous and thin. "I come from +the windy side of the earth." + +"Oh!" + +"Yes, I am from out West--Alberta. We have got all the winds there +is and the Chinook besides for a change." + +"Alberta? The Chinook?" The eyes became less searching. + +"Yes, that's the wind that comes down from the mountains and licks +up the snow at ten miles an hour." + +"Oh!" + +"It was an Alberta man, you know, who invented a rig with runners +in front and wheels behind." The lady was bewildered. "To catch +up with the Chinook, you see. One of my kid's jokes. Not much of +a joke I guess, but he's always ringin' 'em in." + +"You have a son, Mr. Sleighter? He's in Alberta now?" + +"No, the missis and the kids, three of them, are in Winnipeg. She +got tired of it out there; she was always wantin' the city, so I +gave in." + +"I hear it's a beautiful country out there." + +"Now you're talkin', ma'am." She had touched Mr. Sleighter's +favourite theme. Indeed, the absorbing passion of his life, next +to the picking up of good salvage bargains, was his home in the +Foothill country of the West. + +While he was engaged in an enthusiastic description of the glories +of that wonderland the children came in and were presented. Mr. +Gwynne handed his visitor his receipt and stood suggestively +awaiting his departure. But Mr. Sleighter was fairly started on +his subject and was not to be denied. The little girls drew shyly +near him with eyes aglow while Mr. Sleighter's words roiled forth +like a mountain flood. Eloquently he described the beauty of the +rolling lands, the splendour of the mountains, the richness of the +soil, the health-giving qualities of the climate, the warm-hearted +hospitality of the settlers. + +"None of your pin-head two-by-four shysters that you see here in +the East," exclaimed Mr. Sleighter. "I mean some folks, of +course," he explained in some confusion. + +"And the children, did they like it?" inquired Mrs. Gwynne. + +"You bet they did. Why, they was all over the hull prairie, all +day and all night, too, mostly--on ponies you know." + +"Ponies!" exclaimed Larry. "Did they have ponies? Could they +ride? How big are they?" + +"How big? Blamed if I know. Let's see. There's Tom. He's just +about a man, or thinks he is. He's sixteen or seventeen. Just now +he's in the high school at Winnipeg. He don't like it though." +Here a shadow fell on Mr. Sleighter's face. "And the girls-- +there's Hazel, she's fifteen, and Ethel Mary, she's eleven or +somewhere thereabouts. I never can keep track of them. They keep +againin' on me all the time." + +"Yes," said Mrs. Gwynne. "It is hard to realise that they are +growing up and will soon be away from us." + +"That's so," said Mr. Sleighter. + +"And the schools," continued Mrs. Gwynne, "are there good schools?" + +"Schools?" exclaimed Mr. Sleighter. "There's a real good school +not more than a couple of miles away." + +"Two miles," exclaimed the mother aghast. + +"Oh, that's nothin'. They ride, of course. But we ain't got +much of a master now. He's rather--you know." Mr. Sleighter +significantly tipped up with his little finger and winked toward +Mr. Gwynne. + +"But you love that country," she said. + +"Yes, I love it and I hated to leave it. But the missis never +liked it. She was city born and bred. She wanted the lights, I +guess, and the shows. I don't blame her, though," he continued +rapidly. "It's kind of lonely for women, you know. They've got to +have amusements and things. But it's God's own country, believe +me, and I would go back to-morrow, if I could." + +"You still own your ranch?" + +"Yes; can't sell easily. You see there's not much broke on it-- +only a hundred acres or so." + +"Why, how big is the ranch?" + +"Five hundred acres and a wood lot. I did not farm much, though-- +mostly cattle and horses. I was away a good deal on the trail." + +"The trail?" + +"Yes, buying cattle and selling again. That was the worst of it. +I am not much of a farmer, though farming's all right there, and I +was away almost all of the time. I guess that made it pretty hard +for the missis and the kids." + +At this point the Widow Martin came in to lay the table for tea. +Mr. Sleighter took the hint and rose to go. + +"You will do us the pleasure of staying for tea, Mr. Sleighter?" +said Mrs. Gwynne earnestly. + +"Oh, do," said the youngest little girl, Nora, whose snapping black +eyes gleamed with eager desire to hear more of the wonderful +western land. + +"Yes, do, and tell us more," said the boy. + +"I hope you will be able to stay," continued Mrs. Gwynne. + +Mr. Sleighter glanced at her husband. "Why, certainly," said Mr. +Gwynne, "we would be glad to have you." + +Still Mr. Sleighter hesitated. "Say, I don't know what's come over +me. I feel as if I had been on the stump," he said in an +embarrassed voice. "I ain't talked to a soul about that country +since I left. I guess I got pretty full, and when you pulled the +cork, out she come." + +During the tea hour Mrs. Gwynne tried to draw her visitor out to +talk about his family, but here she failed. Indeed a restraint +appeared to fall upon him that nothing could dispel. Immediately +after tea Mrs. Gwynne placed the Bible and Book of Prayers on the +table, saying, "We follow the custom of reading prayers every +evening after tea, Mr. Sleighter. We shall be glad to have you +join us." + +"Sure thing, ma'am," said Mr. Sleighter, pushing back his chair and +beginning to rock on its hind legs, picking his teeth with his pen +knife, to the staring horror of the little girls. + +The reading was from the Scripture to which throughout the +centuries the Christian Church has gone for authority and guidance +in the exercise of charity and in the performance of social +service, the story of the Samaritan gentleman to whom the unhappy +traveller whose misfortune it was to be sorely mishandled by +thieves owed his rescue and his life. + +Throughout the reading Mr. Sleighter paid the strictest attention +and joined in the prayers with every sign of reverence. At the +close he stood awkwardly shifting from one foot to another. + +"Well, I'll be goin'," he said. "Don't know how you roped me in +for this here visit, ma'am. I ain't et in any one's house since I +left home, and I ain't heard any family prayers since my old dad +had 'em--a regular old Methodist exhorter he was. He used to pray +until all was blue, though most times, specially at night, I used +to fall asleep. He was great on religion." + +"I don't suppose he was any the worse for that," said Mrs. Gwynne. + +"Not a mite, not a mite, ma'am. A little strict, but straight as a +string, ma'am. No one could say anythin' against Hiram Sleighter-- +H. P. Sleighter. I was named for him. He used to pray to beat +creation, and then some, but he was a straight man all right. And +to-night your kids and your family prayers made me think of them +old days. Well, good-night and thank you for the good time you +gave me. Best I've had in a dog's age." + +"You will come again, Mr. Sleighter," said Mrs. Gwynne, giving him +her hand. + +"Yes, and tell us more about that new country," added her son. +"My, I'd like to go out there!" + +"It's a wonderful country all right and you might do a hull lot +worse." + + + +CHAPTER V + +WESTWARD HO! + + +Mr. Gwynne accompanied Mr. Sleighter to the door. "Will you walk +down to the store?" said Mr. Sleighter. + +"Very well," said Mr. Gwynne, setting off with him. + +Mr. Sleighter evidently had something on his mind. The usual +fountain of his speech seemed to be dried up. As they drew near to +the store, he seized Mr. Gwynne by the arm, arrested him, and said: + +"Say, Mr. Gwynne, you ain't got any right to be in business. You +ain't got the parts, and that Machine Company and the rest of 'em +put it all over you." + +"We needn't go into that now, I suppose," said Mr. Gwynne. + +"No, I guess I am buttin' in--a thing I don't often do--but I am +off my stride to-night anyway, and I am doin' what I never did in +all my life before. I guess it was them kids of yours and your +missis. I know it ain't my business, but what are you goin' to do +with yourself?" + +"I don't know yet," replied Mr. Gwynne, declining to be confidential. + +"Not goin' into business, I hope. You ain't got the parts. Some +people ain't got 'em, and you ain't. Goin' to farm?" + +"No, I think not. The fact is I'm about selling my farm." + +"Selling it?" + +"Yes, I had an offer to-day which I am thinking of accepting." + +"An offer, eh, from a feller named Martin, I suppose?" + +"How did you know?" + +"I don't know. I just figgered. Offered you about a hundred +dollars, eh?" + +"No; I wish he had. It's worth a hundred with the house and +buildings--they are good buildings." + +"Say, I don't like to butt in on any man's business, but is the +price a secret?" + +"Oh, no; he offers four thousand, half cash." + +"And how much for the buildings?" + +"Four thousand for everything, it's not enough but there are not +many buyers in this neighbourhood." + +"Say, there's nothing rash about that feller. When do you close?" + +"Must close to-morrow night. He has a chance of another place." + +"Oh, he has, eh? Big rush on, eh? Well, don't you close until I +see you some time to-morrow, partner." + +Mr. Sleighter scented another salvage deal, his keen eyes gleamed a +bit, the firm lips were pressed a little more closely together. + +"And say," he said, turning back, "I don't wonder you can't do +business. I couldn't do anything myself with a missis like yours. +I couldn't get any smooth work over with her lookin' at me like +that, durned if I could. Well, good-night; see you to-morrow." + +Mr. Sleighter spent the early hours of the following day among the +farmers with whom his salvage deal had brought him into contact. +The wrecker's instinct was strong in him, and besides he regarded +with abhorrence the tactics of Mr. Martin and welcomed an +opportunity to beat that gentleman at his own game. He could +easily outbid the Martin offer and still buy the farm at a low +price. As a result of his inquiries he had made up his mind that +the land was worth at the very least eighty dollars an acre and the +buildings at least two thousand more. Five thousand would be a +ridiculously low figure and six thousand not extravagantly high for +both buildings and farm. The farm with the store and machine +business attached might offer a fair opening to his son, who was +already weary of school and anxious to engage in business for +himself. + +"Guess I'll take a whirl out of the old boy," he said to himself. +"He's a durn fool anyway and if I don't get his money some one else +will." + +In the afternoon he made his way to the store. "Boss ain't in?" he +inquired of the clerk. + +"No, he's at the house, I guess." + +"Back soon?" + +"Don't know. Guess he's busy over there." + +"Seen Mr. Martin around?" + +"Yes, he was here a while ago. Said he would be in again later." + +Mr. Sleighter greatly disliked the idea of doing business with Mr. +Gwynne at his own house. "Can't do no business with his missis and +kids around," he said to himself. "Can't get no action with that +woman lookin' on seemingly. But that there old Martin geyser is on +the job and he might close things up. I guess I will wander over." + +To his great relief he found Mr. Gwynne alone and without +preliminaries, and with the design of getting "quick action" +before the disturbing element of Mrs. Gwynne's presence should +be introduced, he made his offer. He explained his purpose in +purchasing, and with something of a flourish offered five thousand +for "the hull plant, lock, stock and barrel," cash down if specially +desired, but he would prefer to pay half in six months. He must have +his answer immediately; was not anxious to buy, but if Mr. Gwynne +wanted to close up, he only had to say so. He was not going to +monkey with the thing. + +"You have made me a much better offer than the one I received from +Mr. Martin, and I am inclined to accept it, but inasmuch as I have +promised to give him an answer to-day, I feel that it's due to him +that I should meet him with the bargain still unclosed." + +"Why?" enquired Mr. Sleighter in surprise. + +"Well, you see I asked him to hold the offer open until this +afternoon. I feel I ought to go to him with the matter still +open." + +"Want to screw him up, eh?" said Mr. Sleighter, his lips drawing +close together. + +"No, sir." Mr. Gwynne's voice had a little ring in it. "I +consider it fairer to Mr. Martin." + +"Don't see as how he has much claim on you," replied Mr. Sleighter. +"But that's your own business. Say, there he comes now. Look +here, my offer is open until six o'clock. After that it's a new +deal. Take it or leave it. I will be at your store." + +"Very well," said Mr. Gwynne stiffly. + +Mr. Sleighter was distinctly annoyed and disappointed. A few +minutes' longer pressure, he was convinced, would have practically +closed a deal which would have netted him a considerable profit. +"Durn old fool," he muttered to himself as he passed out of the +room. + +In the hallway Mrs. Gwynne's kindly welcome halted him. She +greeted him as she would a friend. Would he not sit down for a few +moments. No, he was busy. Mr. Sleighter was quite determined to +get away from her presence. + +"The children were delighted with your description of your western +home," she said. "The free life, the beautiful hills, the +mountains in the distance--it must indeed be a lovely country." + +Mr. Sleighter was taken off his guard. "Yes, ma'am, that's lovely +country all right. They'd like it fine out there, and healthy too. +It would make a man of that little kid of yours. He looks a little +on the weak side to me. A few months in the open and you wouldn't +know him. The girls too--" + +"Come in here and sit down, won't you, Mr. Sleighter?" said Mrs. +Gwynne. + +Mr. Sleighter reluctantly passed into the room and sat down. He +knew he was taking a risk. However, his offer was already made and +the deal he believed would be closed in the store by six o'clock. + +"I suppose the land is all taken up out there?" said Mrs. Gwynne. + +"Oh, yes, mostly, unless away back. Folks are comin' in all the +time, but there's still lots of cheap land around." + +"Cheap land, is there?" inquired Mrs. Gwynne with a certain +eagerness in her voice. "Indeed I should have thought that that +beautiful land would be very dear." + +"Why, bless your heart, no. I know good land going for six--seven-- +eight--ten dollars an acre. Ten dollars is high for good farm +lands; for cattle runs four dollars is good. No, there's lots of +good land lying around out of doors there. If these people around +here could get their heads up long enough from grubbing in the muck +they wouldn't stay here over night. They'd be hittin' the trail +for the west, you bet." + +Mrs. Gwynne turned her honest eyes upon him. "Mr. Sleighter, I +want to ask your advice. I feel I can rely upon you ["Durn it all, +she's gettin' her work in all right," thought Mr. Sleighter to +himself], and I am getting quite anxious in the matter. You see, +my husband is determined to leave this place. He wishes to try +something else. Indeed, he must try something else. We must make +a living, Mr. Sleighter." Mrs. Gwynne's voice became hurried and +anxious. "We were delighted last night by your description of that +wonderful country in the West, and the children especially. I have +been wondering if we might venture to try a small farm in that +country--quite a small farm. We have a little money to invest. I +thought I might be bold enough to ask you. I know your judgment +would be good and I felt somehow that we could trust you. I hope +I am not taking a liberty, but somehow I feel that you are not a +stranger." + +"No, ma'am, certainly not," said Mr. Sleighter in a loud voice, his +hope of securing "quick action on that deal" growing dim. + +"Do you happen to know any farm--a small farm--which we might be +able to buy? We hope to receive four thousand dollars for this +place. I feel that it is worth a good deal more, but there are not +many buyers about here. Then, of course, perhaps we value our +place too highly. Then by your kind help we have got something out +of the business--twelve hundred and fifty dollars I think Mr. +Gwynne said. We are most grateful to you for that, Mr. Sleighter." +Her eyes beamed on him in a most disconcerting way. "And so after +our obligations here are met we might have about forty-five hundred +dollars clear. Could we do anything with that?" + +"I donno, I donno," said Mr. Sleighter quickly and rising from his +chair, "I will think it over. I have got to go now." + +At this moment Mr. Gwynne came into the room. "Oh, I am glad you +are not gone, Mr. Sleighter. I have just told Mr. Martin that I +cannot accept his offer." + +"Cannot accept, Michael!" said Mrs. Gwynne, dismay in her voice and +in her eyes. + +"I believe you said your offer was good until six, Mr. Sleighter?" + +"Oh, I say, Gwynne, let's get out, let's get over to the store. +It's kind of hot here, and I've got to go. Come on over and we'll +clean up." Without a farewell word to either of them Mr. Sleighter +passed rapidly from the room. + +"I do hope there's nothing wrong, Michael," said his wife. "I fear +I have made a mistake. I spoke to Mr. Sleighter about the +possibility of getting a small farm in the West. You were so eager +about it, Michael dear, and I spoke to Mr. Sleighter about it. I +hope there is nothing wrong." + +"Don't worry, mother. I have his offer for five thousand dollars. +Of course he is rather peculiar, I confess, but I believe--" The +door opened abruptly upon them, admitting Mr. Sleighter. + +"See here, Mr. Gwynne, I can't do no business with you." + +"Sir, you made me an offer for my farm," said Mr. Gwynne indignantly, +"and I have just refused an offer from Mr. Martin on account of +yours." + +"Oh, we'll cut that all out," said Mr. Sleighter, whose voice and +manner indicated strong excitement. "Now don't talk. Listen to +me, my son. You ain't got any right to be playing around with +business men anyhow. Now I am going to do a little business for +you, if you will allow me, ma'am. I take it you want to get away +from here." Mr. Gwynne nodded, gazing at him in astonishment. +"You want to go West." Again Mr. Gwynne nodded. "Well, there's +only one spot in the West--Alberta. You want a farm." + +"Yes," said Mr. Gwynne. + +"Yes, certainly," said Mrs. Gwynne. + +"There's just one farm that will suit you, an' that's Lakeside +Farm, Wolf Willow, Alberta, owned by H. P. Sleighter, Esq., who's +going to stump you to a trade. Five hundred acres, one hundred +broke an' a timber lot; a granary; stables and corral, no good; +house, fair to middlin'. Two hundred an' fifty acres worth ten +dollars at least, best out of doors; cattle run, two hundred acres +worth five; swamp and sleugh, fifty acres, only good to look at but +mighty pretty in the mornin' at sun-up. Not much money in scenery +though. Building worth between two and three thousand. Your plant +here is worth about six thousand. I know I offered you five +thousand, but I was buyin' then and now I am buyin' and sellin'. +Anyway, I guess it's about even, an' we'll save you a lot of +trouble an' time an' money. An' so, if you really want a western +farm, you might just as well have mine. I did not think to sell. +Of course I knew I must sell in the long run, but couldn't just see +my place in anybody else's hands. Somehow it seems different +though to see you folks on it. You seem to fit. Anyway, there's +the offer. What do you say?" + +"Sit down, Mr. Sleighter," said Mr. Gwynne. "This is a rather +surprising proposition." + +Mrs. Gwynne's eyes grew soft. "Michael, I think it is wonderful." + +But Mr. Gwynne would not look at his wife. "Let me see, Mr. +Sleighter, your farm, you say, with buildings, is worth about six +thousand to sixty-five hundred. Mine is worth from fifty-five +hundred to six thousand. I will take your offer and pay the +difference." + +"Oh, come off your perch," said Mr. Sleighter. "You're doin' the +highfalutin' Vere de Vere act now. Listen to me. The deal is as +level as I can figger it. Your farm and store with the machine +business suit me all right. I feel I can place my boy right here +for a while anyway. My farm, I believe, would suit you better than +anythin' else you can get. There's my offer. Take it or leave +it." + +"I think we will take it, Mr. Sleighter," said Mrs. Gwynne. +"Michael dear, I feel Mr. Sleighter is right, and besides I know +he is doing us a great kindness." + +"Kindness, ma'am, not at all. Business is business, and that's all +there is to it. Well, I'll be goin'. Think it over, get the +papers fixed up by to-morrow. No, don't thank me. Good-bye." + +Mrs. Gwynne followed him to the door, her face flushed, her eyes +aglow, a smile hovering uncertainly about her lips. "Mr. Sleighter," +she said, "the Lord sent you to us because He knew we were in +need of guiding." + +"Ho, ho!" laughed Mr. Sleighter. "Like that Samaritan chap in the +reading, eh? I guess you had got among thieves all right, more of +'em perhaps than you recognised too." + +"He sent you to us," repeated Mrs. Gwynne, offering him her hand. + +"Well, I donno but that He steered me to you. But all the same I +guess the advantage is to me all right." Mr. Sleighter looked hard +down the street, then turned and faced her squarely. "I want to +say that it's done me a pile of good to have seen you, ma'am. It's +made things look different." + +"You are a good man, Mr. Sleighter," she said, looking at him with +misty eyes. + +"A good man!" Mr. Sleighter was seized with a cough. "A good man! +Good Lord, ma'am! nobody never found it out but you--durn that +cough anyway." And still troubled by his cough, Mr. Sleighter +hurried down the path to the gate and out on to the road. + +Once resolved to break up their home in Eastern Canada, the Gwynnes +lost no time in completing their arrangements for the transportation +of themselves and their household gods and such of their household +goods as Mr. Sleighter advised, to the new western country. + +Mr. Sleighter appeared to regard the migration of the Gwynne family +to the western country as an enterprise in which he had made an +investment from which he was bound to secure the greatest possible +return. The principle of exchange which had been the basis of the +deal as far as the farms were concerned was made to apply as far as +possible to farm implements and equipment, household goods and +chattels. + +"What's the use of your packin' a hull bunch of stuff West an' my +packin' a hull bunch of stuff East. We'll just tote up the stock +an' stuff we have got and make a deal on it. I know all my stuff +an' yours is here. We'll make a trade." + +To this Mr. Gwynne gladly agreed. The arrangement would save +trouble and useless expenditure. Hence the car was packed with +such goods as Mr. Sleighter considered especially useful in the new +home, and with such household furniture as the new home lacked and +such articles as were precious from family or personal associations. + +"What about the pictures and curtains?" inquired Mr. Gwynne. "We +don't need them." + +"Take 'em all," said Mr. Sleighter. "Pictures are like folks. +They got faces an' looks. And curtains--my missis got hers all +packed. Curtains are like clothes--they only fit them that owns +them." + +"And the piano?" + +"Sure thing. Say, a piano in that country is like the village +pump--the hull country gets about it. Take things to eat an' +things to wear an' things to make the shack look pretty an' +interestin' and comfortable. They don't take much room and they +take the bareness off. That's what kills the women folk in the +West, the bareness inside and outside. Nothin' but chairs, table +an' stove inside; nothin' but grass an' sand outside. That's what +makes 'em go crazy." + +So the car was filled with things to eat and to wear, and things +"to take the bareness off." Somewhere in the car was found a place +for Rosie, the cow, a remarkable milker and "worth her weight in +butter," as Mr. Sleighter said, and for Rover, Larry's collie dog, +who stood to him as comrade almost as a brother. A place in the +car too was found for Joe Gagneau who from the first moment of the +announced departure had expressed his determination to accompany +Larry no matter at what cost or against whose opposition. + +"A'm goin' be in dat car' me, by gar!" was his ultimatum, and the +various authorities interested recognised the inevitable and +accepted it, to the great delight of both boys. Joe had a mouth +organ and so had Larry, and they were both in the same key. Joe +too had an old fiddle of his father's on which he could scrape with +joy to himself, and with more or less agony to others, the dance +tunes of local celebrity, the "Red River Jig," picked up from his +father, "Money Musk" and "The Deil Amang the Tailors," the two +latter from Dan Monroe at the country dances. + +In due time the car, packed with the Gwynne household goods and +treasures and in charge of the two superlatively happy boys, with +Rosie and Rover to aid in providing them with sustenance and +protection, set forth, Westward Ho! Mr. Gwynne rode in the caboose +of the train to which his car was attached. Mrs. Gwynne and the +girls were to follow by passenger train and would doubtless be +found awaiting them on their arrival at Winnipeg. + +The journey westward was to the boys full of interest and +adventure. At Toronto they picked up a stowaway, who, taking +advantage of their absence, boarded the car and made himself a bed +behind some bales of hay. Upon discovery by Rover, he made so +piteous an appeal for refuge from some pursuing terror which he +declined to specify, that the boys agreed to conceal him a night +and a day till they were well on their way along the north shore of +Lake Superior. When Larry's conscience made further concealment a +burden greater than could be borne, Mr. Gwynne was taken into the +boys' confidence and, after protest, agreed to make arrangement +with the railroad authorities whereby Sam--for that was the +stowaway's name--might retain his place in the car. + +He was a poor, wretched creature, reminding Larry of the scarecrow +which he had put up in their garden the summer before. He was thin +beyond anything the boys had ever seen. His face was worn and old +and came to a peak at the nose, which gave him the appearance of a +monster rat, a resemblance emphasised by the little blinking, red- +rimmed eyes. His hair was closely cropped and of brilliant +carrotty colour. + +But he had seen life in a great city and had gathered a store of +worldly wisdom, not all of which was for his good, and a repertoire +of accomplishments that won him admiration and wonder from the +simple country boys. He had all the new ragtime songs and dances, +which he rendered to his own accompaniment on an old battered +banjo. He was a contortionist of quite unusual cleverness, while +his fund of stories never ran dry throughout the seven days' +journey to Winnipeg. He set himself with the greatest assiduity to +impart his accomplishments to the boys, and by the time the party +had reached the end of the first stage in their westward journey, +Sam had the satisfaction of observing that his pupils had made very +satisfactory progress, both with the clog dancing and with the +ragtime songs. Besides this, he had made for himself an assured +place in their affection, and even Mr. Gwynne had come to feel such +an interest in the bit of human driftwood flung up against him, +that he decided to offer the waif a chance to try his fortune in +the West. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +JANE BROWN + + +Mr. Brown was a busy man, but he never failed to be in his place at +the foot of the table every day punctually at half past twelve, +solely because at that hour his little daughter, Jane, would show +her grave and earnest and dark brown, almost swarthy, face at the +head. Eight years ago another face used to appear there, also +grave, earnest, but very fair and very lovely to look upon, to the +doctor the fairest of all faces on the earth. The little, plain, +swarthy-faced child the next day after that lovely face had been +forever shut away from the doctor's eyes was placed in her high +chair at the head of the table, at first only at the lunch hour, +but later at all meal times before the doctor to look at. And it +was an ever-recurring joy to the lonely man to discover in the +little grave face before him fleeting glimpses of the other face so +tenderly loved and so long vanished. These glimpses were to be +discovered now in the deep blue eyes, deep in colour and in +setting, now in the smile that lit up the dark, irregular features +like the sudden break of sunlight upon the rough landscape, +transforming it into loveliness, now in the knitting of the heavy +eyebrows, and in the firm pressing of the lips in moments of +puzzled thought. In all the moods and tenses of the little maid +the doctor looked for and found reminiscences of her mother. + +Through those eight lonely years the little girl had divided with +his profession the doctor's days. Every morning after breakfast he +stood to watch the trim, sturdy, round little figure dance down the +steps, step primly down the walk, turn at the gate to throw a kiss, +and then march away along the street to the corner where another +kiss would greet him before the final vanishing. Every day they +met at noon to exchange on equal terms the experiences of the +morning. Every night they closed the day with dinner and family +prayers, the little girl gravely taking her part in the reading +during the last year from her mother's Bible. And so it came that +with the years their friendship grew in depth, in frankness and in +tenderness. The doctor was widely read beyond the literature of +his profession, and every day for a half hour it was his custom to +share with the little girl the treasures of his library. The +little maid repaid him with a passionate love and a quaint +mothering care tender and infinitely comforting to the lonely man. + +The forenoon had been hot and trying, and Dr. Brown, having been +detained in his office beyond his regular hour, had been more than +usually hurried in his round of morning calls, and hence was more +than ordinarily tired with his morning's work. At his door the +little girl met him. + +"Come in, Papa, I know you're hot," she said, love and reproach in +her face, "because I was hot myself, and you will need a nice, cool +drink. I had one and yours is in here." She led him into the +study, hovering about him with little touches and pushes. "You +ought not to have taken so long a round this morning," she said +with gentle severity. "I know you went out to St. James to see +Mrs. Kale, and you know quite well she doesn't need you. It would +do in the afternoon. And it was awful hot in school." + +"Awful?" said the doctor. + +"Well, very exceedingly then--and the kids were very tired and Miss +Mutton was as cross as anything." + +"It was no wonder. How many kids were there for her to watch?" + +"Oh, Papa, you said 'kids!'" + +"I was just quoting my young daughter." + +"And she said we were to get out this afternoon an hour earlier," +continued Jane, ignoring his criticism, "and so I am going to take +my bicycle and go with Nora and the girls down to the freight +sheds." + +"The freight sheds?" + +"Yes, Larry and Joe have come in, and Rover and Rosie--she's the +cow, and they milked her every day twice and drank the milk and +they used to have their meals together in the car." + +"Rosie, too? Very interesting indeed." + +"Now, Papa, you must not laugh at me. It is very interesting. +They all came for days and days together in the car from somewhere +down East, Ontario, I think. And Mr. Gwynne says they are just +like a circus. And they play instiments and dance." + +"What, Rosie too? How clever of her!" + +The child's laugh rang out joyously. "Oh, Papa, that's awfully +funny. And we're going down on our wheels. Nora can ride now, you +know, and she's going to take Ethel May's wheel. It's awfully hard +to ride, but Nora's as strong as Kathleen." + +"Well, well," said her father, greatly interested in this exciting +but somewhat confused tale. "Just wait until I wash my hands and +then you shall tell me what it all means. Thank you for this +deliciously cool lemonade. It is very refreshing. You will tell +me all about it at lunch." + +The lunch hour was devoted first of all to disentangling from the +mass the individual members of the car party, which after an +adventurous journey across half a continent had apparently made +camp at the Winnipeg freight sheds. Then followed the elucidation +of the details of the plan by which this camp was to be attacked +and raided during the afternoon. + +"Now that I have a fairly clear conception of whom Larry, Joe, Sam, +Rosie and Rover are--I think I have them right--" + +"Exactly, Papa." + +"I wish to find out just who are to form the advance party, the +scouting party." + +"The scouting party? I don't know what you mean. But Nora--you +know Nora?" + +"Certainly, the little black-eyed Irish Terrier--terror, I mean." + +"Oh, Papa, she's just lovely and she's my friend." + +"Is she, dear, then I apologise, but indeed I meant nothing +derogatory to her. I greatly like her, she is so spunky." + +"Yes, there's Nora, and Kathleen, Nora's sister." + +"Oh, Kathleen, the tall beautiful girl with the wonderful hair?" + +The little girl sighed. "Oh, such lovely long yellow hair." The +little maid's hair was none of these. "And she is not a bit proud-- +just nice, you know--just as if she were not so lovely, but like-- +only like me." + +"Like you, indeed!" exclaimed the doctor indignantly. "Like my +little girl? I don't see any one quite like my little girl. There +is not one of them with all their yellow hair and things that is to +be compared with my own little girl." + +"Oh, Papa. I know you think so, and I wish it was so. And I am +awfully glad you think so, but of course you are prejuist, you +know." + +"Prejudiced? Not a bit, not a bit." + +"Well, that's Kathleen and Nora, and--and perhaps Hazel--you know +Hazel, Papa, Hazel Sleighter?" + +"The western girl--not at all wild and woolly though. A very +modern and very advanced young lady, isn't she?" + +"Oh, I don't know what you mean, Papa. She says she may go down, +but I don't think she likes going with a lot of kids. You know she +has her hair up. She has to have it up in the store. She says the +man would not have her behind the counter if she had not her hair +up." + +"Oh, that's it. I thought perhaps the maturity of her age made it +necessary." + +"I don't know what maturevy means, but she is awfully old. She is +going on sixteen." + +"Dear me, as old as that?" inquired her father. + +"Yes, but she said she wanted to see that circus car. That's what +she calls Mr. Gwynne's car. And she says she wants to see the +elephunts perform. There are not any elephunts. There's only +Rosie and Rover. But she may get off. She can get off if she can +fool her boss, she says. So we're all going down and we may bring +Larry home with us, Mrs. Sleighter says. Though Mrs. Gwynne says +there's not any room, they're so filled up now. And I said Larry +could come here and Joe, too. But I am not so sure about Sam. I +think he must be awfully queer. Mr. Gwynne thinks he's queer." + +"It is quite possible, indeed probable, my dear," assented her +father. + +"Yes, Mr. Gwynne said he looked like a third-rate how-do-you-feel +performer." + +"A what, exactly?" + +"A how-do-you-feel performer." + +"Oh, a vaudeville performer." + +"Yes, a fodefeel performer. I don't know what that means, but he +must be queer. But I think Larry would be all right, and Joe. You +see, we know THEM." + +"Oh, do we?" + +"Yes, certainly, Papa. Larry is Nora's brother. He's awfully +clever. He's only fifteen and he passed the Entrance in Ontario +and that's ever so much harder than here. He passed it before he +was fourteen." + +"Before he was fourteen!" replied her father. "Amazing!" + +"Yes, and he plays the mouth organ and the tin whistle and the +fiddle, and Mr. Gwynne says he has learned some stunts from Sam. I +think he must be awfully nice. So I said he could come here. And +Mrs. Gwynne thanked me so nicely, and she's just lovely, Papa." + +"I have not seen her," said her father, "but I have heard her +voice, and I quite agree with you. The voice always tells. Have +you noticed that? The voice gives the keynote of the soul." + +"I don't know, Papa. There's Mrs. Sleighter's voice. I don't like +it very much, but I think she's nice inside." + +"Ah, you are right, my dear. Perhaps I should have said that a +certain kind of voice always goes with a beautiful soul." + +"I know," replied his daughter. "That's like Mrs. Gwynne's voice. +And so we'll go down to the car and bring Larry home with us, and +perhaps his mother will let him come here. She did not say she +would and you can't tell. She's quiet, you know, but somehow she +isn't like Mrs. Sleighter. I don't think you could coax her to do +what she didn't want." + +"And Mrs. Sleighter--can you coax Mrs. Sleighter?" + +"Oh, yes, the girls just coax her and coax her, and though she +doesn't want to a bit, she just gives in." + +"That's nice of her. That must be very nice for the girls, eh?" + +"Oh, I don't know, Papa." + +"What? don't you think it is nice to be able to coax people to do +what you want?" + +"It is nice to get what you want, but I think REALLY, REALLY, you'd +rather you could not coax them to do it just because you coax +them." + +"Ah, I see." + +"Yes; you see, you're never really quite sure after you get it +whether you ought to get it after all." + +"I see," said her father; "that rather spoils it." + +"Yes, but you never do that, Papa." + +"Oh, you can't coax me, eh? I am glad to know that. I was afraid, +rather." + +"Well, of course, I can coax you, Papa, but you usually find some +other way, and then I know it is quite right." + +"I wish I was quite as sure of that, Jane. But you are going to +bring Larry home with you?" + +"Yes, if Mrs. Gwynne will let him come. I told her we had four +rooms and we were only using two, and they are all crowded up in +Mrs. Sleighter's, two girls in each room, and Tom's room is so +tiny, and I don't think Larry would like to go in Tom's room. +And we have two empty rooms, so we might just as well." + +"Yes, certainly, we might just as well. You might perhaps mention +it to Anna." + +"Oh, I did, Papa, and she said she would have it all ready." + +"So it is all arranged. I was thinking--but never mind." + +"I know you were thinking, that I ought to have asked you, Papa; +and I ought to have. But I knew that when a little boy had no home +to go to you would of course--" + +"Of course," replied her father hurriedly. "You were quite right, +Jane. And with those two rooms, why not bring them all, Joe and +Pete--Pete, is it?" + +"Sam, Papa. I am not so sure. I think we should leave Joe and +Sam. You see Joe won't mind staying in the car. Nora says he +lives in just a shack at home, and Sam--I am a little afraid of +Sam. We don't know him very well, you see." + +"I see. We are quite safe in your hands, little woman. You can do +just as you and Mrs. Gwynne arrange." + +As the father watched the little, trim, sturdy figure stepping down +the street he muttered to himself, "That child grows more like her +mother every day." He heaved a great sigh from the depths of his +heart. "Well, God keep her, wise little woman that she is! I wish +I were a wiser man. I must be firm with her; it would be a shame +to spoil her. Yes, I must be firm." But he shrugged his shoulders +and smiled at himself. "The worst of it is, or the best of it is," +he continued, "the little witch is almost always right, God bless +her, just like her mother, just like her mother." He hastily wiped +his eyes, and went off to his office where Mrs. Dean awaited him +and her little girl with the burned hand. And the mother wondered +at the gentleness of him as he dressed the little girl's wounded +hand. + +It followed that the scouting party included not only Miss Hazel +Sleighter, but also her big brother Tom, who, being temporarily in +the high school, more perhaps because of his size and the maturity +of his bearing than by virtue of his educational qualifications, +was at the present moment most chiefly concerned in getting into +form his baseball team for the match the following Saturday in +which the High School was to meet All Comers under eighteen. The +freight shed being on his way to the practice ground, Tom deigned +to join the party and to take in the circus car as he passed. The +car dwellers were discovered on the open prairie not far from the +freight shed, keeping guard over Rosie, who was stretching her legs +after her railway journey. The boys were tossing a baseball to +each other as Tom pedalled up on his wheel. + +"Hello, there, here you are," he shouted to Sam, holding up his +hands for a catch. + +The ball came with such impact that Tom was distinctly jarred, and +dropped the ball. With all his force he threw the ball back to +Sam, who caught it with the ease of a professional and returned it +with such vigour that again Tom dropped it. + +"Let's have a knock-up," he said, hitting a long fly. + +Sam flew after the ball with amazing swiftness, his scarecrow +garments fluttering and flapping in the air, and caught it with an +upward leap that landed him on his back breathless but triumphant. + +"Say, you're a crackerjack," said Tom; "here's another." + +Meanwhile Larry was in the hands of his sisters, who had delightedly +kissed him to his shamefaced chagrin, and introduced him to their +new-found friends. + +"So this is Larry." said Miss Hazel Sleighter, greeting him with a +dazzling smile. "We have heard a lot about you. I think you must +be quite wonderful. Come here, Tom, and meet your friends." + +Poor Larry! In the presence of this radiant creature and of her +well-dressed brother, he felt terribly conscious of the shabbiness +of the second best suit which his mother had thought good enough +for the journey in the car. Tom glanced at the slight, poorly +dressed, pale-faced lad who stood before him with an embarrassed, +almost a beseeching look in his eyes. + +"Can you play ball?" asked Tom. + +"Not much," replied Larry; "not like Sam. Come here, Sam," he +called, remembering that he had not introduced his friend. Sam +shuffled over with an air of complete nonchalance. + +"This is Sam," said Larry. "Sam--I have forgotten your name." + +"Nolan," said Sam shortly. + +"Miss Hazel Sleighter," said Larry. + +"How do you do, Miss Hazel," said Sam, sweeping her an elaborate +bow, and then gazing boldly into her eyes. "I hope you're well. +If you're as smart as you look, I guess you're way up in G." + +"I am quite well, thank you," returned Miss Hazel, the angle of her +chin indicating her most haughty air. + +"Say, young lady, pass up the chilly stuff," replied Sam with a +laugh. "It don't go with that mighty fine complexion of yours. +Say, did you ever see the leading lady in 'The Spider's Web'? +Well, you make me think of her, and she was a peacherino. Never +seen her? No? Well, you ought to see her some day and think of +me." + +Hazel turned a disgusted shoulder on Sam's impudent face and +engaged Larry in vivacious conversation. + +"Well, I am off to the ball practice," said Tom. "Got a match on +Saturday--High School against the world. Guess they would like to +have you, Sam, only I wouldn't care to have you play against us. +You don't play baseball, eh?" continued Tom, addressing Larry. +"What do you play--football?" + +"Not much; never tried much," said Larry, flushing over his lack of +sporting qualifications. + +"He plays the fiddle," said a quiet little voice. + +Larry, flushing violently, turned around and saw a little, brown- +faced maid gazing thoughtfully at him. + +"Oh, he does, eh? Ha, ha, ha. Good game, eh? Ha, ha, ha." They +all joined in the laugh. + +"And he plays the mouth organ, too, and does funny stunts," +sturdily continued the little girl, disdaining Tom's scornful +laughter. + +"Good for you, Jane." + +"Yes, and he passed his entrance to the High School a year ago when +he was fourteen, in Ontario, anyway." This appeared to check Tom's +hilarity. + +"My, what a wonder he is! And did he tell you all this himself?" + +"No, indeed," said Jane indignantly. + +"Oh, I am glad to hear that," said Tom with a grin. "Won't you +come along, Sam? It's only a little way down." + +"All right," said Sam cheerfully. "So long, folks. See you later, +Larry. Au reservoir, young lady, as the camel said to the elephant +when he asked what he'd have. Hope I see you later if not sooner-- +ta-ta; tinga-ling; honk honk." Again he swept Miss Hazel an +elaborate bow. + +"Thinks he's smart," said that young lady, lifting her nose. "He's +a regular scarecrow. Who in the world is he and where did he come +from?" she demanded of Larry, who proceeded to account for Sam's +presence with their party. + +The visitors peered into the car and poked into its recesses, +discovered the food supplies for boy and beast, and inspected the +dormitories under Larry's guidance, while the boy, who had +recovered from his embarrassment, discoursed upon the wonderful +experience of the journey. Miss Hazel flashed her great blue eyes +and her white teeth upon him, shook all her frizzes in his face, +smiled at him, chattered to him, jeered at him, flattered him with +all the arts and graces of the practiced flirt she was, until +Larry, swept from his bearings, walked the clouds in a wonder world +of rosy lights and ravishing airs. His face, his eyes, his eager +words, his tremulous lips, were all eloquent of this new passion +that possessed him. + +As for Miss Hazel, accustomed as she was to the discriminating +admiration of her fellow clerks, the sincerity and abandonment of +this devotion was as incense to her flirtatious soul. Avid of +admiration and experienced in most of the arts and wiles necessary +to secure this from contiguous males, small wonder that the +unsophisticated Larry became her easy prey long before she had +brought to bear the full complement of her enginery of war. + +It was a happy afternoon for the boy, but when informed by his +sisters of his mother's desire that he should return with them, he +was resolute in his refusal, urging many reasons why it was +impossible that he should leave the car and his comrades. There +was nothing for it but to leave him there and report to his mother +their failure. + +"I might have known," she said. "He would never come to a +stranger's house in his old clothes. I will just bring down his +best suit after tea." + +The dinner hour at Dr. Brown's was fully occupied with an animated +recital of the adventures of the afternoon. Each member of the car +party was described with an accuracy and fulness of detail that +would have surprised him. + +"And you know, Papa," said the little maid, "Tom just laughed at +Larry because he could not play baseball and things, and I just +told him that Larry could play the mouth organ lovely and the +fiddle, and they laughed and laughed. I think they were laughing +at me. Tom laughed loudest of all, and he's not so smart himself, +and anyway Larry passed the entrance a year ago and I just told him +so." + +"Oh, did you," said her father, "and how did Master Tom take that?" + +"He didn't laugh quite as much. I don't think I like him very +much." + +"Ah?" + +"But Hazel, she was just lovely to Larry. I think she's nice, +Papa, and such lovely cheeks and hair." Here Jane sighed. + +"Oh, has she? She is quite a grown-up young lady, is she not?" + +"She has her hair up, Papa. She's sixteen, you know." + +"I remember you told me that she had reached that mature age." + +"And I think Larry liked her, too." + +"Ah? And why do you think so?" + +"He just looked at her, and looked, and looked." + +"Well, that seems fairly good evidence." + +"And he is coming up here to-night when we bring him his good +clothes." + +"Oh, you are to bring him his good clothes, are you?" + +"Yes, Mrs. Gwynne and I are taking them down in the carriage." + +"Oh, in the carriage--Mrs. Gwynne--" + +"Yes, you know-- Oh, here's Nora at the door. Excuse me, Papa. I +am sure it is important." + +She ran to the door and in a moment or two returned with a note. +"It's for you, Papa, and I know it's about the carriage." She +watched her father somewhat anxiously as he read the note. + +"Umm-um. Very good, very nice and proper. Certainly. Just say to +Mrs. Gwynne that we are very pleased to be able to serve her with +the carriage, and that we hope Larry will do us the honour of +coming to us." + +Jane nodded delightedly. "I know, Papa. I told her that already. +But I'll tell her this is the answer to the note." + +Under Jane's direction and care they made their visit to the car, +but on their return no Larry was with them. He would come after +the picnic and baseball game tomorrow, perhaps, but not to-night. +His mother was plainly disappointed, and indeed a little hurt. She +could not understand her son. It was not his clothes after all as +she had thought. She pondered over his last words spoken as he +bade her farewell at the car door, and was even more mystified. + +"I'll be glad when we get to our own place again," he said. "I +hate to be beholden to anybody. We're as good as any of them +anyway." The bitterness in his tone mystified her still more. + +It was little Jane who supplied the key to the mystery. "I don't +think he likes Tom very much," said the little girl. "He likes +Hazel, though. But he might have come to our house; I did not +laugh." And then the mother thought she understood. + +That sudden intensity of bitterness in her boy's voice startled her +a little, but deep down in her heart she was conscious of a queer +feeling of satisfaction, almost of pride. "He's just like his +father," she said to herself. "He likes to be independent." +Strict honesty in thought made her add, "And like me, too, I fear." + +The picnic day was one of those intensely hot June days when the +whole world seems to stand quivering and breathlessly attent while +Nature works out one of her miracles over fields of grain, over +prairie flowers, over umbrageous trees and all things borne upon +the bosom of Mother Earth, checking the succulence of precocious +overgrowths, hardening fibre, turning plant energy away from +selfish exuberance in mere stalk building into the altruistic +sacrament of ripening fruit and hardening grain. A wise old +alchemist is Mother Earth, working in time but ever for eternity. + +The picnickers who went out to the park early in the day were +driven for refuge from the blazing sun to the trees and bushes, +where prostrated by the heat they lay limp and flaccid upon the +grass. Miss Hazel Sleighter, who for some reason which she could +not explain to herself had joined the first contingent of +picnickers, was cross, distinctly and obviously cross. The heat +was trying to her nerves, but worse, it made her face red--red all +over. Her pink parasol intensified the glow upon her face. + +"What a fool I was to come, in this awful heat," she said to +herself. "They won't be here for hours, and I will be just like +a wash-rag." + +Nor was Larry enjoying the picnic. The material comforts in the +form of sandwiches, cakes and pies, gloriously culminating in +lemonade and ice cream, while contributing a temporary pleasure, +could not obliterate a sense of misery wrought in him by Miss +Hazel's chilly indifference. That young lady, whose smiles so +lavishly bestowed only yesterday had made for him a new heaven and +a new earth, had to-day merely thrown him a passing glance and a +careless "Hello," as she floated by intent on bigger game. + +In addition, the boy was conscious of an overpowering lassitude +that increased as the day wore on. His misery and its chief cause +had not escaped the observing eyes of the little maid, Jane Brown, +whose clear and incisive voice was distinctly audible as she +confided to her friend Nora her disappointment in Miss Hazel. + +"She won't look at him to-day," she said. "She's just waiting for +the boys to come. She'll be nicer then." + +There was no animus in the voice, only surprise and disappointment. +To Larry, however, the fact that the secret tragedy of his soul was +thus laid bare, filled him with a sudden rage. He cast a wrathful +eye upon the little maid. She met his glance with a placid smile, +volunteering the cheerful remark, "They won't be long now." + +A fury possessed the boy. "Oh shut your mouth, will you?" he said, +glaring at her. + +For a moment little Jane looked at him, surprise, dismay, finally +pity succeeding each other in the deep blue eyes. Hastily she +glanced about to see if the others had heard the awful outburst. +She was relieved to note that only Joe and Nora were near enough to +hear. She settled herself down in a position of greater comfort +and confided to her friend Nora with an air of almost maternal +solicitude, "I believe he has a pain. I am sure he has a pain." + +Larry sprang to his feet, and without a glance at his anxious +tormentor said, "Come on, Joe, let's go for a hunt in the woods." + +Jane looked wistfully after the departing boys. "I wish they would +ask us, Nora. Don't you? I think he is nice when he isn't mad," +she said. To which Nora firmly assented. + +A breeze from the west and the arrival of the High School team, +resplendent in their new baseball uniforms, brought to the limp +loiterers under the trees a reviving life and interest in the day's +doings. + +It was due to Jane that Sam got into the game, for when young Frank +Smart was searching for a suitable left fielder to complete the All +Comers team, he spied seated among the boys the little girl. + +"Hello, Jane; in your usual place, I see!" he called out to her as +he passed. + +"Hello, Frank!" she called to him brightly. "Frank! Frank!" she +cried, after the young man had passed, springing up and running +after him. + +"I am in a hurry, Jane; I must get a man for left field." + +"But, Frank," she said, catching his arm, for young Smart was a +great friend of hers and of her father's. "I want to tell you. +You see that funny boy under the tree," she continued, lowering her +voice. "Well, he's a splendid player. Tom doesn't want him to +play, and I don't either, because I want the High School to beat. +But it would not be fair not to tell you, would it?" + +Young Smart looked at her curiously. "Say, little girl, you're a +sport. And is he a good player?" + +"Oh, he's splendid, but he's queer--I mean he looks queer. He's +awfully funny. But that doesn't matter, does it?" + +"Not a hair, if he can play ball. What's his name?" + +"Sam--something." + +"Sam Something? That is a funny name." + +"Oh, you know, Sam. I don't know his other name." + +"Well, I'll try him, Jane," said young Smart, moving toward the boy +and followed by the eager eyes of the little girl. + +"I say, Sam," said Smart, "we want a man for left field. Will you +take a go at it?" + +"Too hot," grunted Sam. + +"Oh, you won't find it too hot when you get started. Rip off your +coat and get into the game. You can play, can't you?" + +"Aw, what yer givin' us. I guess I can give them ginks a few +pointers." + +"Well, come on." + +"Too hot," said Sam. + +Jane pulled young Smart by the sleeve. "Tell him you will give him +a jersey," she said in a low voice. "His shirt is torn." + +Again young Smart looked at Jane with scrutinising eyes. "You're a +wonder," he said. + +"Come along, Sam. You haven't got your sweater with you, but I +will get one for you. Get into the bush there and change." + +With apparent reluctance, but with a gleam in his little red eyes, +Sam slouched into the woods to make the change, and in a few +moments came forth and ran to take his position at left field. + +The baseball match turned out to be a mere setting for the display +of the eccentricities and superior baseball qualities of Sam, which +apparently quite outclassed those of his teammates in the match. +After three disastrous innings, Sam caused himself to be moved +first to the position of short stop, and later to the pitcher's +box, to the immense advantage of his side. But although, owing to +the lead obtained by the enemy, his prowess was unable to ward off +defeat from All Comers, yet under his inspiration and skilful +generalship, the team made such a brilliant recovery of form and +came so near victory that Sam was carried from the field in triumph +shoulder high and departed with his new and enthusiastically +grateful comrades to a celebration. + +Larry, however, was much too miserable and much too unhappy for +anything like a celebration. The boy was oppressed with a feeling +of loneliness, and was conscious chiefly of a desire to reach his +car and crawl into his bed there among the straw. Stumbling +blindly along the dusty road; a cheery voice hailed him. + +"Hello, Larry!" It was Jane seated beside her father in his car. + +"Hello!" he answered faintly and just glanced at her as the car +passed. + +But soon the car pulled up. "Come on, Larry, we'll take you home," +said Jane. + +"Oh, I'm all right," said Larry, forcing his lips into his old +smile and resolutely plodding on. + +"Better come up, my boy," said the doctor. + +"I don't mind walking, sir," replied Larry, stubbornly determined +to go his lonely way. + +"Come here, boy," said the doctor, regarding him keenly. Larry +came over to the wheel. "Why, boy, what is the matter?" The +doctor took hold of his hand. + +Larry gripped the wheel hard. He was feeling desperately ill and +unsteady on his legs, but still his lips twisted themselves into a +smile. "I'm all right, sir," he said; "I've got a headache and it +was pretty hot out there." + +But even as he spoke his face grew white and he swayed on his feet. +In an instant the doctor was out of his car. "Get in, lad," he +said briefly, and Larry, surrendering, climbed into the back seat, +fighting fiercely meanwhile to prevent the tears from showing in +his eyes. Keeping up a brisk and cheerful conversation with Jane +in regard to the game, the doctor drove rapidly toward his home. + +"You will come in with us, my boy," said the doctor as they reached +his door. + +By this time Larry was past all power of resistance and yielded +himself to the authority of the doctor, who had him upstairs and +into bed within a few minutes of his arrival. A single word Larry +uttered during this process, "Tell my mother," and then sank into a +long nightmare, through which there mingled dim shapes and quiet +voices, followed by dreamless sleep, and an awakening to weakness +that made the lifting of his eyelids an effort and the movement of +his hand a weariness. The first object that loomed intelligible +through the fog in which he seemed to move was a little plain face +with great blue eyes carrying in them a cloud of maternal anxiety. +Suddenly the cloud broke and the sun burst through in a joyous +riot, for in a voice that seemed to him unfamiliar and remote Larry +uttered the single word, "Jane." + +"Oh!" cried the little girl rapturously. "Oh, Larry, wait." She +slipped from the room and returned in a moment with his mother, who +quickly came to his side. + +"You are rested, dear," she said, putting her hand under his head. +"Drink this. No, don't lift your head. Now then, go to sleep +again, darling," and, stooping down, she kissed him softly. + +"Why--are--you--crying?" he asked faintly. "What's the--matter?" + +"Nothing, darling; you are better. Just sleep." + +"Better?--Have--I--been--sick?" + +"Yes, you have been sick," said his mother. + +"Awfully sick, " said Jane solemnly. "A whole week sick. But you +are all right now," she added brightly, "and so is Joe, and Sam, +and Rover and Rosie. I saw them all this morning and you know we +have been praying and praying and--" + +"Now he will sleep, Jane," said his mother, gently touching the +little girl's brown tangle of hair. + +"Yes, he will sleep; oh, I'm just awful thankful," said Jane, +suddenly rushing out of the room. + +"Dear little girl," said the mother. "She has been so anxious and +so helpful--a wonderful little nurse." + +But Larry was fast asleep, and before he was interested enough to +make inquiry about his comrades in travel the car in charge of Joe +and Sam, with Mr. Gwynne in the caboose, was far on its way to +Alberta. After some days Jane was allowed to entertain the sick +boy, as was her custom with her father, by giving an account of her +day's doings. These were happy days for them both. Between the +boy and the girl the beginnings of a great friendship sprang up. + +"Larry, I think you are queer," said Jane to him gravely one day. +"You are not a bit like you were in the car." + +A quick flush appeared on the boy's face. "I guess I was queer +that day, Jane," he said. "I know I felt queer." + +"Yes, that's it," said Jane, delighted by some sudden recollection. +"You were queer then, and now you're just ornary. My, you were +sick and you were cross, too, awful cross that day. I guess it was +the headick. I get awfully cross, too, when I have the headick. I +don't think you will be cross again ever, will you, Larry?" + +Larry, smiling at her, replied, "I'll never be cross with you, +Jane, anyway, never again." + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE GIRL OF THE WOOD LOT + + +June, and the sun flooding with a golden shimmer a land of tawny +prairie, billowy hills, wooded valleys and mountain peaks white +with eternal snows, touching with silver a stream which, glacier- +born, hurled itself down mountain sides in fairy films of mist, +rushed through canyons in a mad torrent, hurried between hills in a +swollen flood, meandered along wide valleys in a full-lipped tide, +lingered in a placid lake in a bit of lowland banked with poplar +bluffs, and so onward past ranch-stead and homestead to the great +Saskatchewan and Father Ocean, prairie and hills, valleys and +mountains, river and lake, making a wonder world of light and +warmth and colour and joyous life. + +Two riders on rangey bronchos, followed by two Russian boarhounds, +climbed the trail that went winding up among the hills towards a +height which broke abruptly into a ridge of bare rock. Upon the +ridge they paused. + +"There! Can you beat that? If so, where?" The lady swept her +gauntletted hand toward the scene below. Mrs. Waring-Gaunt was +tall, strongly made, handsome with that comeliness which perfect +health and out-of-doors life combine to give, her dark hair, dark +flashing eyes, straight nose, wide, full-lipped curving mouth, and +a chin whose chiselled firmness was softened but not weakened by a +dimple, making a picture good to look upon. + +"There!" she cried again, "tell me, can you beat it?" + +"Glorious! Sybil, utterly and splendidly glorious!" said her +brother, his eyes sweeping the picture below. "And you too, +Sybil," he said, turning his eyes upon her. "This country has done +you well. By jove, what a transformation from the white-faced, +willowy--" + +"Weedy," said she. + +"Well, as it's no longer true, weedy--woman that faded out of +London, how many--eight years ago!" + +"Ten years, ten long, glorious, splendid years." + +"Ten years! Surely not ten!" + +"Yes, ten beautiful years." + +"I wish to God I had come with you then. I might have been--well, +I should have been saved some bumps and a ghastly cropper at last." + +"'Cut it out,' Jack, as the boys say here. En avant! We never +look back in this land, but ever forward. Oh, now isn't this worth +while?" Again she swept her hand toward the scene below her. +"Look at that waving line in the east, that broad sweep; and here +at our left, those great, majestic things. I love them. I love +every scar in their old grey faces. They have been good friends to +me. But for them some days might have been hard to live through, +but they were always there like friends, watching, understanding. +They kept me steady." + +"You must have had some difficult days, old girl, in this awful +land. Yes, yes, I know it's glorious, especially on a day like +this and in a light like this; but after all, you are away from the +world, away from everybody, and shut off from everything, from +life, art--how could you stick it?" + +"Jack are you sympathising with me? Let me tell you your sympathy +is wasted. I have had lonely days in this land, of course. When +Tom was off on business--Oh! that man has been perfectly splendid. +Jack! He's been--well, I can't tell you all he has been to me-- +father, mother, husband, chum, he's been to me, and more. And he's +made good in the country, too. Now look again at this view. We +always stop to look at it, Tom and I, from this point. Tell me if +you have ever seen anything quite as wonderful!" + +"Yes, it's glorious, a little like the veldt, with, of course, the +mountains extra, and they do rather finish the thing in the grand +style." + +"Grand style, well, rather! A great traveller who has seen most of +the world's beautiful spots told me he had never looked on anything +quite so splendid as the view from here--so spacious, so varied, so +majestic. Ah, I love it, and the country has been good to me! + +"I don't mean physically only, but in every way--in body, soul and +mind. And for Tom, too, the country has done much. In England, +you know, he was just loafing, filling in time with one useless +thing after another, and on the way to get fat and lazy. Here he +is doing things, things worth while. His ranch is quite a success. +Then he is always busy organising various sorts of industries in +the country--dairying, lumbering and that sort of thing. He has +introduced thoroughbred stock. He helps with the schools, the +churches, the Agricultural Institutes. In short, he is doing his +part to bring this country to its best. And this, you know, is the +finest bit of all Canada!" + +Her brother laughed. "Pardon me," he said, "there are so many of +these 'finest bits.' In Nova Scotia, in Quebec, I have found them. +The people of Ontario are certain that the 'finest bit' is in their +province, while in British Columbia they are ready to fight if one +suggests anything to the contrary." + +"I know. I know. It is perfectly splendid of them. You know we +Canadians are quite foolish about our country." + +"WE Canadians!" + +"Yes. WE Canadians. What else? We are quite mad about the future +of our country. And that is why I wanted you to come out here, +Jack. There is so much a man like you might do with your brains +and training. Yes. Your Oxford training is none too good for this +country, and your brain none too clever for this big work of laying +the foundations of a great Empire. This is big enough for the +biggest of you. Bigger, even, than the thing you were doing at +home, Jack. Oh, I heard all about it!" + +"You heard all about it? I hope not. I hope you have not heard of +the awful mess I made of things." + +"Nonsense, Jack! 'Forward' is the word here. Here is an Empire in +the making, another Britain, greater, finer, and without the +hideous inequalities, injustices and foolish class distinctions of +the old." + +"My God! Sybil, you sound like Lloyd George himself! Please don't +recall that ghastly radicalism to me." + +"Never mind what it sounds like. You will get it too. We all +catch it here, especially Old Country folk. For instance, look +away to the left there. See that little clump of buildings beside +the lake just through the poplars. There is a family of Canadians +typical of the best, the Gwynnes, our closest neighbours. Good +Irish stock, they are. They came two years after we came. Lost +their little bit of money. Suffered, my! how they must have +suffered! though they were too proud to tell any of us. The father +is a gentleman, finely educated, but with no business ability. The +mother all gold and grit, heroic little woman who kept the family +together. The eldest boy of fifteen or sixteen, rather delicate +when he came, but fearfully plucky, has helped amazingly. He +taught the school, putting his money into the farm year after year. +While teaching the school he somehow managed to grip hold of the +social life of this community in a wonderful way, preached for Mr. +Rhye, taught a Bible Class for him, quite unique in its way; +organised a kind of Literary-Social-Choral-Minstrel Club and has +added tremendously to the life and gaiety of the neighbourhood. +What we shall do when he leaves, I know not. You will like them, I +am sure. We shall drop in there on our way, if you like." + +"Ah, well, perhaps sometime later. They all sound rather terribly +industrious and efficient for a mere slacker like myself." + +Along the trail they galloped, following the dogs for a mile or so +until checked by a full flowing stream. + +"I say, Willow Creek is really quite in flood," said his sister. +"The hot sun has brought down the snows, you know. The logs are +running, too. We will have to go a bit carefully. Hold well up to +the stream and watch the logs. Keep your eye on the bank opposite. +No, no, keep up, follow me. Look out, or you will get into deep +water. Keep to the right. There, that's better." + +"I say," said her brother, as his horse clambered out of the +swollen stream. "That's rather a close thing to a ducking. +Awfully like the veldt streams, you know. Ice cold, too, I fancy." + +"Ice cold, indeed, glacier water, you know, and these logs make it +very awkward. The Gwynnes must be running down their timber and +firewood. We might just run up and look in on them. It's only a +mile or so. Nora will be there. She will be 'bossing the job,' as +she says. It will be rather interesting." + +"Well, I hope it is not too far, for I assure you I am getting +quite ravenous." + +"No, come along, there's a good trail here." + +A smart canter brought them to a rather pretentious homestead with +considerable barns and outbuildings attached. "This is the +Switzers' place," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "German-Americans, old +settlers and quite well off. The father owned the land on which +Wolf Willow village stands. He made quite a lot of money in real +estate--village lots and farm lands, you know. He is an excellent +farmer and ambitious for his family--one son and one daughter. +They are quite plain people. They live like--well, like Germans, +you know. The mother is a regular hausfrau; the daughter, quite +nice, plays the violin beautifully. It was from her young Gwynne +got his violining. The son went to college in the States, then to +Germany for a couple of years. He came back here a year ago, +terribly German and terribly military, heel clicking, ram-rod back, +and all that sort of thing. Musical, too, awfully clever; rather +think he has political ambitions. We'll not go in to-day. Some +day, perhaps. Indeed, we must be neighbourly in this country. But +the Switzers are a little trying." + +"Why know them at all?" + +"There you are!" cried his sister. "Fancy living beside people in +this country and not knowing them. Can't you see that we must not +let things get awry that way? We must all pull together. Tom is +fearfully strong on that, and he is right, too, I suppose, although +it is trying at times. Now we begin to climb a bit here. Then +there are good stretches further along where we can hurry." + +But it seemed to her brother that the good stretches were rather +fewer and shorter than the others, for the sun was overhead when +they pulled up their horses, steaming and ready enough to halt, in +a small clearing in the midst of a thick bit of forest. The timber +was for the main part of soft woods, poplar, yellow and black, +cottonwood, and further up among hills spruce and red pine. In the +centre of the clearing stood a rough log cabin with a wide porch +running around two sides. Upon this porch a young girl was to be +seen busy over a cook stove. At the noise of the approaching +horses the girl turned from her work and looked across the clearing +at them. + +"Heavens above! who is that, Sybil?" gasped her brother. + +Mrs. Waring-Gaunt gave a delighted little cry. "Oh, my dear, you +are really back." In a moment she was off her horse and rushing +toward the girl with her arms outstretched. "Kathleen, darling! +Is it you? And you have really grown, I believe! Or is it your +hair? Come let me introduce you to my brother." + +Jack Romayne was a young man with thirty years of experience of the +normal life of the well-born Englishman, during which time he had +often known what it was to have his senses stirred and his pulses +quickened by the sight of one of England's fair women, than whom +none of fresher and fairer beauty are to be found in all the world; +yet never had he found himself anything but master of his speech +and behaviour. But to-day, when, in obedience to his sister's +call, he moved across the little clearing toward the girl standing +at her side, he seemed to lose consciousness of himself and control +of his powers of action. He was instead faintly conscious that a +girl of tall and slender grace, with an aura of golden hair about a +face lovelier than he had ever known, was looking at him out of +eyes as blue as the prairie crocus and as shy and sweet, that she +laid her hand in his as if giving him something of herself, that +holding her hand how long he knew not, he found himself gazing +through those eyes of translucent blue into a soul of unstained +purity as one might gaze into a shrine, and that he continued +gazing until the blue eyes clouded and the fair face flushed +crimson, that then, without a word, he turned from her, thrilling +with a new gladness which seemed to fill not only his soul but the +whole world as well. When he came to himself he found his trembling +fingers fumbling with the bridle of his horse. For a few moments he +became aware of a blind rage possessing him and he cursed deeply his +stupidity and the gaucherie of his manner. But soon he forgot his +rage for thinking of her eyes and of what he had seen behind their +translucent blue. + +"My dear child," again exclaimed Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, "I declare you +have actually grown taller and grown--a great many other things +that I may not tell you. What have they done to you at that +wonderful school? Did you love it?" + +The girl flushed with a quick emotion. "Oh, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, it +was really wonderful. I had such a good time and every one was +lovely to me. I did not know people could be so kind. But it is +good to get back home again to them all, and to you, and to all +this." She waved her hand to the forest about her. + +"And who are up here to-day, and what are you doing?" inquired Mrs. +Waring-Gaunt. + +"In the meantime I am preparing dinner," said the girl with a +laugh. + +"Dinner!" exclaimed Jack Romayne, who had meantime drawn near, +determined to rehabilitate himself in the eyes of this girl as a +man familiar with the decencies of polite society. "Dinner! It +smells so good and we are desperately hungry." + +"Yes," cried Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "My brother declared he was quite +faint more than an hour ago, and now I am sure he is." + +"Fairly ravenous." + +"But I don't know," said the girl with serious anxiety on her face. +"You see, we have only pork and fried potatoes, and Nora just shot +a chicken--only one--and they are always so hungry. But we have +plenty of bread and tea. Would you stay?" + +"It sounds really very nice," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. + +"It would be awfully jolly of you, and I promise not to eat too +much," said the young man. "I am actually faint with hunger, and a +cup of tea appears necessary to revive me." + +"Of course, stay," said the girl with quick sympathy. "We can't +give you much, but we can give you something." + +"Oh----ho!" + +"O-h-o-o-o-h! O-h-o-o-o-h!" A loud call came from the woods. + +"There's Nora," said Kathleen. "O-o-o-o-o-h! O-o-o-o-o-h!" The +girl's answering call was like the winding of a silver horn. "Here +she is." + +Out from the woods, striding into the clearing, came a young girl +dressed in workmanlike garb in short skirt, leggings and jersey, +with a soft black hat on the black tumbled locks. "Hello, +Kathleen, dinner ready? I'm famished. Oh, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, glad +to see you." + +"And my brother, Nora, Mr. Jack Romayne, just come from England, +and hungry as a bear." + +"Just from England? And hungry? Well, we are glad to see you, Mr. +Romayne." The girl came forward with a quick step and frankly +offered her brown, strong hand. "We're awfully glad to see you, +Mr. Romayne," she repeated. "I ought to be embarrassed, I know, +only I am so hungry." + +"Just my fix, Miss Nora," said the young man. "I am really anxious +to be polite. I feel we should decline the invitation to dinner +which your sister has pressed upon us; we know it is a shame to +drop in on you like this all unprepared, but I am so hungry, and +really that smell is so irresistible that I feel I simply cannot be +polite." + +"Don't!" cried the girl, "or rather, do, and stay. There's enough +of something, and Joe will look after the horses." She put her +hands to her lips and called, "J-o-o-e!" + +A voice from the woods answered her, followed by Joe himself. +"Here, Joe, take the horses and unsaddle them and tether them out +somewhere." + +Despite Kathleen's fears there was dinner enough for all. + +"This is perfectly stunning!" said Romayne, glancing round the +little clearing and up at the trees waving overhead, through the +interstices of whose leafy canopy showed patches of blue sky. +"Gorgeous, by Jove! Words are futile things for really great +moments." + +"Ripping," said Nora, smiling impudently into his face. "Awfully +jolly! A-1! Top hole! That's the lot, I think, according to the +best authorities. Do you know any others?" + +"I beg pardon, what?" said Romayne, looking up from his fried pork +and potatoes. + +"Those are all I have learned in English at least," said Nora. "I +am keen for some more. They are Oxford, I believe. Have you any +others?" + +Mr. Romayne diverted his attention from his dinner. "What is she +talking about, Miss Gwynne? I confess to be entirely absorbed in +these fried potatoes." + +"Words, words, Mr. Romayne, vocabulary, adjectives," replied Nora. + +"Ah," said Romayne, "but why should one worry about words, +especially adjectives, when one has such divine realities as these +to deal with?" + +"Have some muffles, Mr. Romayne," said Nora. + +"Muffles? Now what may muffles be?" + +"Muffles are a cross between muffins and waffles." + +"Please elucidate their nature and origin," said Mr. Romayne. + +"Let me show you," said Kathleen. She sprang up, dived into the +cabin and returned with a large, round, hard biscuit in her hand. +"This is Hudson Bay hard tack, the stand-by of all western people-- +Hudson Bay freighters and cowboys, old timers and tenderfeet alike +swear by it. See, you moisten it slightly in water, fry it in +boiling fat, sugar it and keep hot till served. Thus Hudson Bay +hard tack becomes muffles." + +"Marvellous!" exclaimed Mr. Romayne, "and truly delicious! And to +think that the Savoy chef knows nothing about muffles! But now +that my first faintness is removed and the mystery of muffles is +solved, may I inquire just what you are doing up here to-day, Miss +Gwynne? What is the business on hand, I mean?" + +"Oh, Nora is getting out some logs for building and firewood for +next winter. The logs, you see, are cut during the winter and +hauled to the dump there." + +"Dump!" exclaimed Mr. Romayne faintly. + +"Yes. The bank there where you dump the logs into the creek below." + +"But what exactly has Miss Nora to do with all this?" + +"I?" enquired Nora, "I only boss the job." + +"Don't you believe her," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "I happen to +remember one winter day coming upon this young lady in these very +woods driving her team and hauling logs to the dump while Sam and +Joe did the cutting. Ask the boys there? And why shouldn't she?" +continued Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "She can run a farm, with garden, +pigs and poultry thrown in; open a coal mine and--" + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed Nora, "the boys here do it all. Mother +furnishes the head work." + +"Oh, Nora!" protested Kathleen, "you know you manage everything. +Isn't that true, boys?" + +"She's the hull works herself," said Sam. "Ain't she, Joe?" + +"You bet yeh," said Joe, husky with the muffles. + +"She's a corker," continued Sam, "double compressed, compensating, +forty horsepower, ain't she, Joe?" + +"You bet yeh!" adding, for purpose of emphasis, "By gar!" + +"Six cylinder, self-starter," continued Sam with increasing +enthusiasm. + +"Self-starter," echoed Joe, going off into a series of choking +chuckles. "Sure t'ing, by gar!" Joe, having safely disposed of +the muffles, gave himself up to unrestrained laughter, throwing +back his head, slapping his knees and repeating at intervals, +"Self-starter, by gar!" + +So infectious was his laughter that the whole company joined in. + +"Cut it out, boys," said Nora. "You are all talking rot, you know; +and what about you," she added, turning swiftly upon her sister. +"Who runs the house, I'd like to know, and looks after everything +inside, and does the sewing? This outfit of mine, for instance? +And her own outfit?" + +"Oh, Nora," protested Kathleen, the colour rising in her face. + +"Did you make your own costume?" inquired Mr. Romayne. + +"She did that," said Nora, "and mine and mother's, and she makes +father's working shirts." + +"Oh, Nora, stop, please. You know I do very little." + +"She makes the butter as well." + +"They're a pair," said Sam in a low growl, but perfectly audible to +the company, "a regular pair, eh, Joe?" + +"Sure t'ing," replied Joe, threatening to go off again into +laughter, but held in check by a glance from Nora. + +For an hour they lingered over the meal. Then Nora, jumping up +quickly, took Mrs. Waring-Gaunt with her to superintend the work at +the dump, leaving Mr. Romayne reclining on the grass smoking his +pipe in abandoned content, while Kathleen busied herself clearing +away and washing up the dishes. + +"May I help?" inquired Mr. Romayne, when the others had gone. + +"Oh, no," replied Kathleen. "Just rest where you are, please; just +take it easy; I'd really rather you would, and there's nothing to +do." + +"I am not an expert at this sort of thing," said Mr. Romayne, "but +at least I can dry dishes. I learned that much on the veldt." + +"In South Africa? You were in the war?" replied Kathleen, giving +him a towel. + +"Yes, I had a go at it." + +"It must have been terrible--to think of actually killing men." + +"It is not pleasant," replied Romayne, shrugging his shoulders, +"but it has to be done sometimes." + +"Oh, do you think so? It does not seem as if it should be +necessary at any time," said the girl with great earnestness. "I +can't believe it is either right or necessary ever to kill men; and +as for the Boer War, don't you think everybody agrees now that it +was unnecessary?" + +Mr. Romayne was always prepared to defend with the ardour of a +British soldier the righteousness of every war in which the British +Army has ever been engaged. But somehow he found it difficult to +conduct an argument in favour of war against this girl who stood +fronting him with a look of horror in her face. + +"Well," said Mr. Romayne, "I believe there is something to be said +on both sides. No doubt there were blunders in the early part of +the trouble, but eventually war had to come." + +"But that's just it," cried the girl. "Isn't that the way it is +always? In the early stages of a quarrel it is so easy to come to +an understanding and to make peace; but after the quarrel has gone +on, then war becomes inevitable. If only every dispute could be +submitted to the judgment of some independent tribunal. Nations +are just like people. They see things solely from their own point +of view. Do you know, Mr. Romayne, there is no subject upon which +I feel so keenly as upon the subject of war. I just loathe and +hate and dread the thought of war. I think perhaps I inherit this. +My mother, you know, belongs to the Friends, and she sees so +clearly the wickedness and the folly of war. And don't you think +that all the world is seeing this more clearly to-day than ever +before?" + +There was nothing new in this argument or in this position to +Mr. Romayne, but somehow, as he looked at the girl's eager, +enthusiastic face, and heard her passionate denunciation of war, +he found it difficult to defend the justice of war under any +circumstances whatever. + +"I entirely agree with you, Miss Gwynne, that war is utterly +horrible, that it is silly, that it is wicked. I would rather not +discuss it with you, but I can't help feeling that there are +circumstances that make it necessary and right for men to fight." + +"You don't wish to discuss this with me?" said Kathleen. "I am +sorry, for I have always wished to hear a soldier who is also"-- +the girl hesitated for a moment--"a gentleman and a Christian--" + +"Thank you, Miss Gwynne," said Romayne, with quiet earnestness. + +"Discuss the reasons why war is ever necessary." + +"It is a very big subject," said Mr. Romayne, "and some day I +should like to give you my point of view. There are multitudes of +people in Britain to-day, Miss Gwynne, who would agree with you. +Lots of books have been written on both sides. I have listened to +hours and hours of discussion, so that you can easily see that +there is much to be said on both sides. I always come back, +however, to the point that among nations of similar ethical +standards and who are equally anxious to preserve the peace of the +world, arbitration as a method of settling disputes ought to be +perfectly simple and easy. It is only when you have to deal with +nations whose standards of ethics are widely dissimilar or who are +possessed with another ambition than that of preserving the peace +of the world that you get into difficulty." + +"I see your point," replied Kathleen, "but I also see that just +there you allow for all sorts of prejudice to enter and for the +indulgence in unfair argument and special pleading. But there, we +are finished," she said, "and you do not wish to discuss this just +now." + +"Some time, Miss Gwynne, we shall have this out, and I have some +literature on the subject that I should like to give you." + +"And so have I," cried the girl, with a smile that rendered Mr. +Romayne for some moments quite incapable of consecutive thought. +"And now shall we look up the others?" + +At the dump they found Joe and Sam rolling the logs, which during +the winter had been piled high upon the bank, down the steep +declivity or "dump" into the stream below. Mrs. Waring-Gaunt and +Nora were seated on a log beside them engaged in talk. + +"May I inquire if you are bossing the job as usual?" said Mr. +Romayne, after he had watched the operation for a few moments. + +"Oh, no, there's no bossing going on to-day. But," said the girl, +"I rather think the boys like to have me around." + +"I don't wonder," said Mr. Romayne, enthusiastically. + +"Are you making fun of me, Mr. Romayne?" said the girl, her face +indicating that she was prepared for battle. + +"God forbid," replied Mr. Romayne, fervently. + +"Not a bit of it, Nora dear," said his sister. "He is simply +consumed with envy. He has just come from a country, you know, +where only the men do things; I mean things that really count. And +it makes him furiously jealous to see a young woman calmly doing +things that he knows quite well he could not attempt to do." + +"Quite true," replied her brother. "I am humbled to the ground at +my own all to obvious ineptitude, and am lost in admiration of the +marvellous efficiency of the young ladies of Canada whom it has +been my good fortune to meet." + +Nora glanced at him suspiciously. "You talk well," she said. "I +half believe you're just making fun of us." + +"Not a bit, Nora, not a bit," said his sister. "It is as I have +said before. The man is as jealous as he can be, and, like all +men, he hates to discover himself inferior in any particular to a +woman. But we must be going. I am so glad you are home again, +dear," she said, turning to Kathleen. "We shall hope to see a +great deal of you. Thank you for the delightful lunch. It was so +good of you to have us." + +"Yes, indeed," added the young man. "You saved my life. I had +just about reached the final stage of exhaustion. I, too, hope to +see you again very soon and often, for you know we must finish that +discussion and settle that question." + +"What question is that," inquired his sister, "if I may ask?" + +"Oh, the old question," said her brother, "the eternal question-- +war." + +"I suppose," said Nora, "Kathleen has been giving you some of her +peace talk. I want you to know, Mr. Romayne, that I don't agree +with her in the least, and I am quite sure you don't either." + +"I am not so sure of that," replied the young man. "We have not +finished it out yet. I feel confident, however, that we shall come +to an agreement on it." + +"I hope not," replied Nora, "for in that case you would become a +pacifist, for Kathleen, just like mother, you know, is a terrible +peace person. Indeed, our family is divided on that question-- +Daddy and I opposed to the rest. And you know pacifists have this +characteristic, that they are always ready to fight." + +"Yes," said her sister. "We are always ready to fight for peace. +But do not let us get into that discussion now. I shall walk with +you a little way." + +Arm in arm she and Mrs. Waring-Gaunt walked down the steep trail, +Mr. Romayne following behind, leading the horses. As they walked +together, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt talked to the girl of her brother. + +"You know he was in the Diplomatic Service, went in after the South +African War, and did awfully well there in the reconstruction work, +was very popular with the Boers, though he had fought them in the +war. He got to know their big men, and some of them are really big +men. As a matter of fact, he became very fond of them and helped +the Government at Home to see things from their point of view. +After that he went to the Continent, was in Italy for a while and +then in Germany, where, I believe, he did very good work. He saw +a good deal of the men about the Kaiser. He loathed the Crown +Prince, I believe, as most of our people there do. Suddenly he +was recalled. He refused, of course, to talk about it, but I +understand there was some sort of a row. I believe he lost his +temper with some exalted personage. At any rate, he was recalled, +chucked the whole service, and came out here. He felt awfully cut +up about it. And now he has no faith in the German Government, +says they mean war. He's awfully keen on preparation and that sort +of thing. I thought I would just tell you, especially since I +heard you had been discussing war with him." + +As they neared the Switzer place they saw a young man standing on +the little pier which jutted out into the stream with a pike-pole +in his hand, keeping the logs from jambing at the turn. + +"It's Ernest Switzer," cried Kathleen. "I have not seen him for +ever so long. How splendidly he is looking! Hello, Ernest!" she +cried, waving her hand and running forward to meet him, followed by +the critical eyes of Jack Romayne. + +The young man came hurrying toward her. "Kathleen!" he cried. "Is +it really you?" He threw down his pole as he spoke and took her +hand in both of his, the flush on his fair face spreading to the +roots of his hair. + +"You know Mrs. Waring-Gaunt," said Kathleen to him, for he paid no +attention at all to the others. Mrs. Waring-Gaunt acknowledged +Switzer's heel clicks, as also did her brother when introduced. + +"You have been keeping the logs running, Ernest, I see. That is +very good of you," said Kathleen. + +"Yes, there was the beginning of a nice little jamb here," said +Switzer. "They are running right enough now. But when did you +return?" he continued, dropping into a confidential tone and +turning his back upon the others. "Do you know I have not seen you +for nine months?" + +"Nine months?" said Kathleen. "I was away seven months." + +"Yes, but I was away two months before you went. You forget that," +he added reproachfully. "But I do not forget. Nine months--nine +long months. And are you glad to be back, Kathleen, glad to see +all your friends again, glad to see me?" + +"I am glad to be at home, Ernest, glad to see all of my friends, of +course, glad to get to the West again, to the woods here and the +mountains and all." + +"And you did not come in to see us as you passed," gazing at her +with reproachful eyes and edging her still further away from the +others. + +"Oh, we intended to come in on our way back." + +"Let's move on," said Romayne to his sister. + +"We must be going, Kathleen dear," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "You +will soon be coming to see us?" + +"Yes, indeed, you may be sure. It is so good to see you," replied +the girl warmly, as Mrs. Waring-Gaunt kissed her good-bye. "Good- +bye, Mr. Romayne; we must finish our discussion another time." + +"Always at your service," replied Mr. Romayne, "although I am +rather afraid of you. Thank you again for your hospitality. Good- +bye." He held her hand, looking down into the blue depths of her +eyes until as before the crimson in her face recalled him. "Good- +bye. This has been a wonderful day to me." He mounted his horse, +lifted his hat, and rode off after his sister. + +"What sort of a chap is the Johnnie?" said Jack to his sister as +they rode away. + +"Not a bad sort at all; very bright fellow, quite popular in this +community with the young fellows. He has lots of money, you know, +and spends it. Of course, he is fearfully German, military style +and all that." + +"Seems to own that girl, eh?" said Jack, glancing back over his +shoulder at the pair. + +"Oh, the two families are quite intimate. Ernest and his sister +were in Larry's musical organisations and they are quite good +friends." + +"By Jove, Sybil, she is wonderful! Why didn't you give me a hint?" + +"I did. But really, she has come on amazingly. That college in +Winnipeg--" + +"Oh, college! It is not a question of college!" said her brother +impatiently. "It's herself. Why, Sybil, think of that girl in +London in a Worth frock. But no! That would spoil her. She is +better just as she is. Jove, she completely knocked me out! I +made a fool of myself." + +"She has changed indeed," said his sister. "She is a lovely girl +and so simple and unaffected. I have come really to love her. We +must see a lot of her." + +"But where did she get that perfectly charming manner? Do you +realise what a perfectly stunning girl she is? Where did she get +that style of hers?" + +"You must see her mother, Jack. She is a charming woman, simple, +quiet, a Quaker, I believe, but quite beautiful manners. Her +father, too, is a gentleman, a Trinity man, I understand." + +"Well," said her brother with a laugh, "I foresee myself falling in +love with that girl in the most approved style." + +"You might do worse," replied his sister, "though I doubt if you +are not too late." + +"Why? That German Johnnie?" + +"Well, it is never wise to despise the enemy. He really is a fine +chap, his prospects are very good; he has known her for a long +while, and he is quite mad about her." + +"But, good Lord, Sybil, he's a German!" + +"A German," said his sister, "yes. But what difference does that +make? He is a German, but he is also a Canadian. We are all +Canadians here whatever else we may be or have ever been. We are +all sorts and classes, high and low, rich and poor, and of all +nationalities--Germans, French, Swedes, Galicians, Russians--but we +all shake down into good Canadian citizens. We are just Canadians, +and that is good enough for me. We are loyal to Canada first." + +"You may be right as far as other nationalities are concerned, but, +Sybil, believe me, you do not know the German. I know him and +there is no such thing as a German loyal to Canada first." + +"But, Jack, you are so terribly insular. You must really get rid +of all that. I used to think like you, but here we have got to the +place where we can laugh at all that sort of thing." + +"I know, Sybil. I know. They are laughing in England to-day at +Roberts and Charlie Beresford. But I know Germany and the German +mind and the German aim and purpose, and I confess to you that I am +in a horrible funk at the state of things in our country. And this +chap Switzer--you say he has been in Germany for two years? Well, +he has every mark characteristic of the German. He reproduces the +young German that I have seen the world over--in Germany, in the +Crown Prince's coterie (don't I know them?), in South Africa, in +West Africa, in China. He has every mark, the same military style, +the same arrogant self-assertion, the same brutal disregard of the +ordinary decencies." + +"Why, Jack, how you talk! You are actually excited." + +"Did you not notice his manner with that girl? He calmly took +possession of her and ignored us who were of her party, actually +isolated her from us." + +"But, Jack, this seems to me quite outrageous." + +"Yes, Sybil, and there are more like you. But I happen to know +from experience what I am talking about. The elementary governing +principle of life for the young German of to-day is very simple and +is easily recognised, and it is this: when you see anything you +want, go for it and take it, no matter if all the decencies of life +are outraged." + +"Jack, I cannot, frankly, I cannot agree with you in regard to +young Switzer. I know him fairly well and--" + +"Let's not talk about it, Sybil," said her brother, quietly. + +"Oh, all right, Jack." + +They rode on in silence, Romayne gloomily keeping his eye on the +trail before him until they neared the Gwynne gate, when the young +man exclaimed abruptly: + +"My God, it would be a crime!" + +"Whatever do you mean, Jack?" + +"To allow that brute to get possession of that lovely girl." + +"But, Jack," persisted his sister. "Brute?" + +"Sybil, I have seen them with women, their own and other women; +and, now listen to me, I have yet to see the German who regards or +treats his frau as an English gentleman treats his wife. That is +putting it mildly." + +"Oh, Jack!" + +"It ought to be stopped." + +"Well, stop it then." + +"I wish to God I could," said her brother. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +YOU FORGOT ME + + +The Lakeside House, substantially built of logs, with "frame" +kitchen attached, stood cosily among the clump of trees, poplar and +spruce, locally described as a bluff. The bluff ran down to the +little lake a hundred yards away, itself an expansion of Wolf +Willow Creek. The whitewashed walls gleaming through its festoons +of Virginia creeper, a little lawn bordered with beds filled with +hollyhocks, larkspur, sweet-william and other old-fashioned flowers +and flanked by a heavy border of gorgeous towering sunflowers, gave +a general air, not only of comfort and thrift, but of refinement as +well, too seldom found in connection with the raw homesteads of the +new western country. + +At a little distance from the house, at the end of a lane leading +through the bluff, were visible the stables, granary and other +outhouses, with corral attached. + +Within, the house fulfilled the promise of its external appearance +and surroundings. There was dignity without stiffness, comfort +without luxury, simplicity without any suggestion of the poverty +that painfully obtrudes itself. + +At the open window whose vine shade at once softened the light and +invited the summer airs, sat Mrs. Gwynne, with her basket of +mending at her side. Eight years of life on an Alberta ranch had +set their mark upon her. The summers' suns and winters' frosts and +the eternal summer and winter winds had burned and browned the +soft, fair skin of her earlier days. The anxieties inevitable to +the struggle with poverty had lined her face and whitened her hair. +But her eyes shone still with the serene light of a soul that +carries within it the secret of triumph over the carking cares of +life. + +Seated beside her was her eldest daughter Kathleen, sewing; and +stretched upon the floor lay Nora, frankly idle and half asleep, +listening to the talk of the other two. Their talk turned upon the +theme never long absent from their thought--that of ways and means. + +"Tell you what, Mummie," droned Nora, lazily extending her lithe +young body to its utmost limits, "there is a simple way out of our +never ending worries, namely, a man, a rich man, if handsome, so +much the better, but rich he must be, for Kathleen. They say they +are hanging round the Gateway City of the West in bunches. How +about it, Kate?" + +"My dear Nora," gently chided her mother, "I wish you would not +talk in that way. It is not quite nice. In my young days--" + +"In your young days I know just exactly what happened, Mother. +There was always a long queue of eligible young men dangling after +the awfully lovely young Miss Meredith, and before she was well out +of her teens the gallant young Gwynne carried her off." + +"We never talked about those things, my dear," said her mother, +shaking her head at her. + +"You didn't need to, Mother." + +"Well, if it comes to that, Nora," said her sister, "I don't think +you need to, very much, either. You have only got to look at--" + +"Halt!" cried Nora, springing to her feet. "But seriously, Mother +dear, I think we can weather this winter right enough. Our food +supply is practically visible. We have oats enough for man and +beast, a couple of pigs to kill, a steer also, not to speak of +chickens and ducks. We shall have some cattle to sell, and if our +crops are good we ought to be able to pay off those notes. Oh, why +will Dad buy machinery?" + +"My dear," said her mother with gentle reproach, "your father says +machinery is cheaper than men and we really cannot do without +machines." + +"That's all right, Mother. I'm not criticising father. He is a +perfect dear and I am awfully glad he has got that Inspectorship." + +"Yes," replied her mother, "your father is suited to his new work +and likes it. And Larry will be finishing his college this year, +I think. And he has earned it too," continued the mother. "When +I think of all he has done and how generously he has turned +his salary into the family fund, and how often he has been +disappointed--" Here her voice trembled a little. + +Nora dropped quickly to her knees, taking her mother in her arms. +"Don't we all know, Mother, what he has done? Shall I ever forget +those first two awful years, the winter mornings when he had to get +up before daylight to get the house warm, and that awful school. +Every day he had to face it, rain, sleet, or forty below. How +often I have watched him in the school, always so white and tired. +But he never gave up. He just would not give up. And when those +big boys were unruly--I could have killed those boys--he would +always keep his temper and joke and jolly them into good order. +And all the time I knew how terribly his head was aching. What are +you sniffling about, Kate?" + +"I think it was splendid, just splendid, Nora," cried Kathleen, +swiftly wiping away her tears. "But I can't help crying, it was +all so terrible. He never thought of himself, and year after year +he gave up his money--" + +"Hello!" cried a voice at the door. "Who gave up his money and to +whom and is there any more around?" His eye glanced around the +group. "What's up, people? Mummie, are these girls behaving +badly? Let me catch them at it!" The youth stood smiling down +upon them. His years in the West had done much for him. He was +still slight, but though his face was pale and his body thin, his +movements suggested muscular strength and sound health. He had not +grown handsome. His features were irregular, mouth wide, cheek +bones prominent, ears large; yet withal there was a singular +attractiveness about his appearance and manner. His eyes were +good; grey-blue, humorous, straight-looking eyes they were, deep +set under overhanging brows, and with a whimsical humour ever +lingering about them; over the eyes a fore-head, broad, suggesting +intellect, and set off by heavy, waving, dark hair. + +"Who gave his money? I insist upon knowing. No reply, eh? I have +evidently come upon a deep and deadly plot. Mother?--no use asking +you. Kathleen, out with it." + +"You gave your money," burst forth Nora in a kind of passion as she +flew at him, "and everything else. But now that's all over. You +are going to finish your college course this year, that's what." + +"Oh, that's it, eh? I knew there was some women's scheme afloat. +Well, children," said the youth, waving his hand over them in +paternal benediction, "since this thing is up we might as well +settle it 'right here and n-a-o-w,' as our American friend, Mr. +Ralph Waldo Farwell, would say, and a decent sort he is too. I +have thought this all out. Why should not a man gifted with a +truly great brain replete with grey matter (again in the style of +the aforesaid Farwell) do the thinking for his wimmin folk? Why +not? Hence the problem is already solved. The result is hereby +submitted, not for discussion but for acceptance, for acceptance +you understand, to-wit and namely, as Dad's J. P. law books have +it: I shall continue the school another year." + +"You shan't," shouted Nora, seizing him by the arm and shaking him +with all the strength of her vigorous young body. + +"Larry, dear!" said his mother. + +"Oh, Larry!" exclaimed Kathleen. + +"We shall then be able to pay off all our indebtedness," continued +Larry, ignoring their protests, "and that is a most important +achievement. This new job of Dad's means an addition to our +income. The farm management will remain in the present capable +hands. No, Miss Nora, I am not thinking of the boss, but of the +head, the general manager." He waved his hand toward his mother. +"The only change will be in the foreman. A new appointment will be +made, one who will bring to her task not only experience and with +it a practical knowledge, but the advantage of intellectual +discipline recently acquired at a famous educational centre; and +the whole concern will go on with its usual verve, swing, snap, +toward another year's success. Then next year me for the giddy +lights of the metropolitan city and the sacred halls of learning." + +"And me," said Nora, "what does your high mightiness plan for me +this winter, pray?" + +"Not quite so much truculence, young lady," replied her brother. +"For you, the wide, wide world, a visit to the seat of light and +learning already referred to, namely, Winnipeg." + +For one single moment Nora looked at him. Then, throwing back her +head, she said with unsteady voice: "Not this time, old boy. One +man can lead a horse to water but ten cannot make him drink, and +you may as well understand now as later that this continual +postponement of your college career is about to cease. We have +settled it otherwise. Kathleen will take your school--an awful +drop for the kids, but what joy for the big boys. She and I will +read together in the evenings. The farm will go on. Sam and Joe +are really very good and steady; Joe at least, and Sam most of the +time. Dad's new work will not take him from home so much, he says. +And next year me for the fine arts and the white lights of +Winnipeg. That's all that needs to be said." + +"I think, dear," said the mother, looking at her son, "Nora is +right." + +"Now, Mother," exclaimed Larry, "I don't like to hear your foot +come down just yet. I know that tone of finality, but listen--" + +"We have listened," said Kathleen, "and we know we are right. I +shall take the school, Mr. Farwell--" + +"Mr. Farwell, eh?--" exclaimed Nora significantly. + +"Mr. Farwell has promised me," continued Kathleen, "indeed has +offered me, the school. Nora and I can study together. I shall +keep up my music. Nora will keep things going outside, mother will +look after every thing as usual, Dad will help us outside and in. +So that's settled." + +"Settled!" cried her brother. "You are all terribly settling. It +seems to me that you apparently forget--" + +Once more the mother interposed. "Larry, dear, Kathleen has put it +very well. Your father and I have talked it over"--the young +people glanced at each other and smiled at this ancient and well- +worn phrase--"we have agreed that it is better that you should +finish your college this winter. Of course we know you would +suggest delay, but we are anxious that you should complete your +course." + +"But, Mother, listen--" began Larry. + +"Nonsense, Larry, 'children, obey your parents' is still valid," +said Nora. "What are you but a child after all, though with your +teaching and your choral society conducting, and your nigger show +business, and your preaching in the church, and your popularity, +you are getting so uplifted that there's no holding you. Just make +up your mind to do your duty, do you hear? Your duty. Give up +this selfish determination to have your own way, this selfish +pleasing of yourself." Abruptly she paused, rushed at him, threw +her arms around his neck, and kissed him. "You darling old +humbug," she said with a very unsteady voice. "There, I will be +blubbering in a minute. I am off for the timber lot. What do you +say, Katty? It's cooler now. We'll go up the cool road. Are you +coming?" + +"Yes; wait until I change." + +"All right, I will saddle up. You coming, Larry?" + +"No, I'll catch up later." + +"Now, Mother," warned Nora, "I know his ways and wiles. Remember +your duty to your children. You are also inclined to be horribly +selfish. Be firm. Hurry up, Kate." + +Left alone with his mother, Larry went deliberately to work with +her. Well he knew the immovable quality of her resolution when +once her mind was made up. Patiently, quietly, steadily, he argued +with her, urging Nora's claims for a year at college. + +"She needs a change after her years of hard work." + +Her education was incomplete; the ground work was sound enough, but +she had come to the age when she must have those finishing touches +that girls require to fit them for their place in life. "She is a +splendid girl, but in some ways still a child needing discipline; +in other ways mature, too mature. She ought to have her chance and +ought to have it now." One never knew what would happen in the +case of girls. + +His mother sighed. "Poor Nora, she has had discipline enough of a +kind, and hard discipline it has been indeed for you all." + +"Nonsense, Mother, we have had a perfectly fine time together, all +of us. God knows if any one has had a hard time it is not the +children in this home. I do not like to think of those awful +winters, Mother, and of the hard time you had with us all." + +"A hard time!" exclaimed his mother. "I, a hard time, and with you +all here beside me, and all so well and strong? What more could I +want?" The amazed surprise in her face stirred in her son a quick +rush of emotion. + +"Oh, Mother, Mother, Mother," he whispered in her ear. "There is +no one like you. Did you ever in all your life seek one thing for +yourself, one thing, one little thing? Away back there in Ontario +you slaved and slaved and went without things yourself that all the +rest of us might get them. Here it has been just the same. +Haven't I seen your face and your hands, your poor hands,"--here +the boy's voice broke with an indignant passion--"blue with the +cold when you could not get furs to protect them? Never, never +shall I forget those days." The boy stopped abruptly, unable to go +on. + +Quickly the mother drew her son toward her. "Larry, my son, my +son, you must never think that a hard time. Did ever a woman have +such joy as I? When I think of other mothers and of other +children, and then think of you all here, I thank God every day and +many times a day that he has given us each other. And, Larry, my +son, let me say this, and you will remember it afterwards. You +have been a continual joy to me, always, always. You have never +given me a moment's anxiety or pain. Remember that. I continually +thank God for you. You have made my life very happy." + +The boy put his face down on her lap with his arms tight around her +waist. Never in their life together had they been able to open +these deep, sacred chambers in their souls to each other's gaze. +For some moments he remained thus, then lifting up his face, he +kissed her again and again, her forehead, her eyes, her lips. Then +rising to his feet, he stood with his usual smile about his lips. +"You always beat me. But will you not think this all over again +carefully, and we will do what you say? But will you promise, +Mother, to think it over again and look at my side of it too?" + +"Yes, Larry, I promise," said his mother. "Now run after the +girls, and I shall have tea ready for you." + +As Larry rode down the lane he saw the young German, Ernest +Switzer, and his sister riding down the trail and gave them a call. +They pulled up and waited. + +"Hello, Ernest; whither bound? How are you, Dorothea?" + +"Home," said the young man, "and you?" + +"Going up by the timber lot, around by the cool road. The girls +are on before." + +"Ah, so?" said the young man, evidently waiting for an invitation. + +"Do you care to come? It's not much longer that way," said Larry. + +"I might," said the young man. Then looking doubtfully at his +sister, "You cannot come very well, Dorothea, can you?" + +"No, that is, I'm afraid not," she replied. She was a pretty girl +with masses of yellow hair, light blue eyes, a plump, kindly face +and a timid manner. As she spoke she, true to her German training, +evidently waited for an indication of her brother's desire. + +"There are the cows, you know," continued her brother. + +"Yes, there are the cows," her face clouding as she spoke. + +"Oh, rot!" said Larry, "you don't milk until evening, and we get +back before tea. Come along." + +Still the girl hesitated. "Well," said her brother brusquely, "do +you want to come?" + +She glanced timidly at his rather set face and then at Larry. "I +don't know. I am afraid that--" + +"Oh, come along, Dorothea, do you hear me telling you? You will be +in plenty of time and your brother will help you with the milking." + +"Ernest help! Oh, no!" + +"Not on your life!" said that young man. "I never milk. I haven't +for years. Well, come along then," he added in a grudging voice. + +"That is fine," said Larry. "But, Dorothea, you ought to make him +learn to milk. Why shouldn't he? The lazy beggar. Do you mean to +say that he never helps with the milking?" + +"Oh, never," said Dorothea. + +"Our men don't do women's work," said Ernest. "It is not the +German way. It is not fitting." + +"And what about women doing men's work?" said Larry. "It seems to +me I have seen German women at work in the fields up in the +Settlement." + +"I have no doubt you have," replied Ernest stiffly. "It is the +German custom." + +"You make me tired," said Larry, "the German custom indeed! Does +that make it right?" + +"For us, yes," replied Ernest calmly. + +"But you are Canadians, are you not? Are there to be different +standards in Canada for different nationalities?" + +"Oh, the Germans will follow the German way. Because it is German, +and demonstrated through experience to be the best. Look at our +people. Look at our prosperity at home, at our growth in +population, at our wealth, at our expansion in industry and +commerce abroad. Look at our social conditions and compare them +with those in this country or in any other country in the world. +Who will dare to say that German methods and German customs are not +best, at least for Germans? But let us move a little faster, +otherwise we shall never catch up with them." He touched his +splendid broncho into a sharp gallop, the other horses following +more slowly behind. + +"He is very German, my brother," said Dorothea. "He thinks he is +Canadian, but he is not the same since he went over Home. He is +talking all the time about Germany, Germany, Germany. I hate it." +Her blue eyes flashed fire and her usually timid voice vibrated +with an intense feeling. Larry gazed at her in astonishment. + +"You may look at me, Larry," she cried. "I am German but I do not +like the German ways. I like the Canadian ways. The Germans treat +their women like their cows. They feed them well, they keep them +warm because--because--they have calves--I mean the cows--and the +women have kids. I hate the German ways. Look at my mother. What +is she in that house? Day and night she has worked, day and night, +saving money--and what for? For Ernest. Running to wait on him +and on Father and they never know it. It's women's work with us to +wait on men, and that is the way in the Settlement up there. Look +at your mother and you. Mein Gott! I could kill them, those men!" + +"Why, Dorothea, you amaze me. What's up with you? I never heard +you talk like this. I never knew that you felt like this." + +"No, how could you know? Who would tell you? Not Ernest," she +replied bitterly. + +"But, Dorothea, you are happy, are you not?" + +"Happy, I was until I knew better, till two years ago when I saw +your mother and you with her. Then Ernest came back thinking +himself a German officer--he is an officer, you know--and the way +he treated our mother and me!" + +"Treated your mother! Surely he is not unkind to your mother?" +Larry had a vision of a meek, round-faced, kindly, contented woman, +who was obviously proud of her only son. + +"Kind, kind," cried Dorothea, "he is kind as German sons are kind. +But you cannot understand. Why did I speak to you of this? Yes, I +will tell you why," she added, apparently taking a sudden resolve. +"Let's go slowly. Ernest is gone anyway. I will tell you why. +Before Ernest went away he was more like a Canadian boy. He was +good to his mother. He is good enough still but--oh, it is so hard +to show you. I have seen you and your mother. You would not let +your mother brush your boots for you, you would not sit smoking and +let her carry in wood in the winter time, you would not stand +leaning over the fence and watch your mother milk the cow. Mein +Gott! Ernest, since he came back--the women are only good for +waiting on him, for working in the house or on the farm. His wife, +she will not work in the fields; Ernest is too rich for that. But +she will not be like"--here the girl paused abruptly, a vivid +colour dyeing her fair skin--"like your wife. I would die sooner +than marry a German man." + +"But Ernest is not like that, Dorothea. He is not like that with +my sisters. Why, he is rather the other way, awfully polite and +all that sort of thing, you know." + +"Yes, that's the way with young German gentlemen to young ladies, +that is, other people's ladies. But to their own, no. And I must +tell you. Oh, I am afraid to tell you," she added breathlessly. +"But I will tell you, you have been so kind, so good to me. You +are my friend, and you will not tell. Promise me you will never +tell." The girl's usually red face was pale, her voice was hoarse +and trembling. + +"What is the matter, Dorothea? Of course I won't tell." + +"Ernest wants to marry your sister, Kathleen. He is just mad to +get her, and he always gets his way too. I would not like to see +your sister his wife. He would break her heart and," she added in +a lower voice, "yours too. But remember you are not to tell. You +are not to let him know I told you." A real terror shone in her +eyes. "Do you hear me?" she cried. "He would beat me with his +whip. He would, he would." + +"Beat you, beat you?" Larry pulled up his horse short. "Beat you +in this country--oh, Dorothea!" + +"They do. Our men do beat their women, and Ernest would too. The +women do not think the same way about it as your women. You will +not tell?" she urged. + +"What do you think I am, Dorothea? And as for beating you, let me +catch him. By George, I'd, I'd--" + +"What?" said Dorothea, turning her eyes full upon him, her pale +face flushing. + +Larry laughed. "Well, he's a big chap, but I'd try to knock his +block off. But it's nonsense. Ernest is not that kind. He's an +awfully good sort." + +"He is, he is a good sort, but he is also a German officer and, ah, +you cannot understand, but do not let him have your sister. I have +told you. Come, let us go quickly." + +They rode on in silence, but did not overtake the others until they +reached the timber lot where they found the party waiting. With +what Dorothea had just told him in his mind, Larry could not help a +keen searching of Kathleen's face. She was quietly chatting with +the young German, with face serene and quite untouched with +anything but the slightest animation. "She is not worrying over +anything," said Larry to himself. Then he turned and looked upon +the face of the young man at her side. A shock of surprise, of +consternation, thrilled him. The young man's face was alight with +an intensity of eagerness, of desire, that startled Larry and +filled him with a new feeling of anxiety, indeed of dismay. + +"Oh, you people are slow," cried Nora. "What is keeping you? Come +along or we shall be late. Shall we go through the woods straight +to the dump, or shall we go around?" + +"Let's go around," cried Kathleen. "Do you know I have not been +around for ever so long?" + +"Yes," said Larry, "let's go around by Nora's mine." + +"Nora's mine!" exclaimed Ernest. "Do you know I've heard about +that mine a great deal but I have never seen Nora's mine?" + +"Come along, then," said Nora, "but there's almost no trail and we +shall have to hurry while we can. There's only a cow track." + +"Move along then," said her brother; "show us the way and we will +follow. Go on, Ernest." + +But Ernest apparently had difficulty with his broncho so that he +was found at the rear of the line with Kathleen immediately in +front of him. The cow trail led out of the coolee over a shoulder +of a wooded hill and down into a ravine whose sharp sides made the +riding even to those experienced westerners a matter of difficulty, +in places of danger. At the bottom of the ravine a little torrent +boiled and foamed on its way to join Wolf Willow Creek a mile +further down. After an hour's struggle with the brushwood and +fallen timber the party was halted by a huge spruce tree which had +fallen fair across the trail. + +"Where now, boss?" cried Larry to Nora, who from her superior +knowledge of the ground, had been leading the party. + +"This is something new," answered Nora. "I think we should cross +the water and try to break through to the left around the top of +the tree." + +"No," said Ernest, "the right looks better to me, around the root +here. It is something of a scramble, but it is better than the +left." + +"Come along," said Nora; "this is the way of the trail, and we can +get through the brush of that top all right." + +"I am for the right. Come, let's try it, Kathleen, shall we?" said +Ernest. + +Kathleen hesitated. "Come, we'll beat them out. Right turn, +march." + +The commanding tones of the young man appeared to dominate the +girl. She set her horse to the steep hillside, following her +companion to the right. A steep climb through a tangle of +underbrush brought them into the cleared woods, where they paused +to breathe their animals. + +"Ah, that was splendidly done. You are a good horsewoman," said +Ernest. "If you only had a horse as good as mine we could go +anywhere together. You deserve a better horse, too. I wonder if +you know how fine you look." + +"My dear old Kitty is not very quick nor very beautiful, but she +is very faithful, and so kind," said Kathleen, reaching down and +patting her mare on the nose. "Shall we go on?" + +"We need not hurry," replied her companion. "We have beaten them +already. I love the woods here, and, Kathleen, I have not seen you +for ever so long, for nine long months. And since your return +fifteen days ago I have seen you only once, only once." + +"I am sorry," said Kathleen, hurrying her horse a little. "We +happened to be out every time you called." + +"Other people have seen you," continued the young man with a note +almost of anger in his voice. "Everywhere I hear of you, but I +cannot see you. At church--I go to church to see you--but that, +that Englishman is with you. He walks with you, you go in his +motor car, he is in your house every day." + +"What are you talking about, Ernest? Mr. Romayne? Of course. +Mother likes him so much, and we all like him." + +"Your mother, ah!" Ernest's tone was full of scorn. + +"Yes, my mother--we all like him, and his sister, Mrs. Waring- +Gaunt, you know. They are our nearest neighbours, and we have come +to know them very well. Shall we go on?" + +"Kathleen, listen to me," said the young man. + +At this point a long call came across the ravine. + +"Ah, there they are," cried the girl. "Let's hurry, please do." +She brought her whip down unexpectedly on Kitty's shoulders. The +mare, surprised at such unusual treatment from her mistress, sprang +forward, slipped on the moss-covered sloping rock, plunged, +recovered herself, slipped again, and fell over on her side. At +her first slip, the young man was off his horse, and before the +mare finally pitched forward was at her head, and had caught the +girl from the saddle into his arms. For a moment she lay there +white and breathing hard. + +"My God, Kathleen!" he cried. "You are hurt? You might have been +killed." His eyes burned like two blazing lights, his voice was +husky, his face white. Suddenly crushing her to him, he kissed her +on the cheek and again on her lips. The girl struggled to get +free. + +"Oh, let me go, let me go," she cried. "How can you, how can you?" + +But his arms were like steel about her, and again and again he +continued to kiss her, until, suddenly relaxing, she lay white and +shuddering in his arms. + +"Kathleen," he said, his voice hoarse with passion, "I love you, I +love you. I want you. Gott in Himmel, I want you. Open your +eyes, Kathleen, my darling. Speak to me. Open your eyes. Look at +me. Tell me you love me." But still she lay white and shuddering. +Suddenly he released her and set her on her feet. She stood +looking at him with quiet, searching eyes. + +"You love me," she said, her voice low and quivering with a +passionate scorn, "and you treat me so? Let us go." She moved +toward her horse. + +"Kathleen, hear me," he entreated. "You must hear me. You shall +hear me." He caught her once more by the arm. "I forgot myself. +I saw you lying there so white. How could I help it? I meant no +harm. I have loved you since you were a little girl, since that +day I saw you first herding the cattle. You had a blue dress and +long braids. I loved you then. I have loved you every day since. +I think of you and I dream of you. The world is full of you. I am +offering you marriage. I want you to be my wife." The hands that +clutched her arm were shaking, his voice was thick and broken. But +still she stood with her face turned from him, quietly trying to +break from his grasp. But no word did she speak. + +"Kathleen, I forgot myself," he said, letting go of her arm. "I +was wrong, but, my God, Kathleen, I am not stone, and when I felt +your heart beat against mine--" + +"Oh," she cried, shuddering and drawing further away from him. + +"--and your face so white, your dear face so near mine, I forgot +myself." + +"No," said the girl, turning her face toward him and searching him +with her quiet, steady, but contemptuous eyes, "you forgot me." + + + +CHAPTER IX + +EXCEPT HE STRIVE LAWFULLY + + +The Wolf Willow Dominion Day Celebration Committee were in session +in the schoolhouse with the Reverend Evans Rhye in the chair, and +all of the fifteen members in attendance. The reports from the +various sub-committees had been presented and approved. + +The programme for the day was in the parson's hand. "A fine +programme, ladies and gentlemen, thanks to you all, and especially +to our friend here," said Mr. Rhye, placing his hand on Larry's +shoulder. + +A chorus of approval greeted his remark, but Larry protested. "Not +at all. Every one was keen to help. We are all tremendous +Canadians and eager to celebrate Dominion Day." + +"Well, let us go over it again," said Mr. Rhye. "The football +match with the Eagle Hill boys is all right. How about the polo +match with the High River men, Larry?" + +"The captain of the High River team wrote to express regret that +two of his seniors would not be available, but that he hoped to +give us a decent game." + +"There will only be one fault with the dinner and the tea, Mrs. +Kemp." + +"And what will that be, sir?" enquired Mrs. Kemp, who happened to +be Convener of the Refreshment Committee. + +"They will receive far too much for their money," said Mr. Rhye. +"How about the evening entertainment, Larry?" he continued. + +"Everything is all right, I think, sir," said Larry. + +"Are the minstrels in good form?" enquired Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. +"This is your last appearance, you know, and you must go out in a +blaze of glory." + +"We hope to get through somehow," said Larry. + +"And the speakers?" enquired Mr. Rhye. + +"Both will be on hand. Mr. Gilchrist promises a patriotic address. +Mr. Alvin P. Jones will represent Wolf Willow in a kind of local +glorification stunt." + +"This is all perfectly splendid," said Mr. Rhye, "and I cannot tell +you how grateful I am to you all. We ought to have a memorable day +to-morrow." + +And a memorable day it was. The weather proved worthy of Alberta's +best traditions, for it was sunny, with a fine sweeping breeze to +temper the heat and to quicken the pulses with its life-bringing +ozone fresh from the glacier gorges and the pine forests of the +Rockies. + +The captain of the Wolf Willow football team was awake and afoot +soon after break of day that he might be in readiness for the Eagle +Hill team when they arrived. Sam was in his most optimistic mood. +His team, he knew, were in the finest condition and fit for their +finest effort. Everything promised victory. But alas! for Sam's +hopes. At nine o'clock a staggering blow fell when Vial, his +partner on the right wing of the forward line, rode over with the +news that Coleman, their star goal-keeper, their ultimate reliance +on the defence line, had been stepped on by a horse and rendered +useless for the day. It was, indeed, a crushing calamity. Sam +spent an hour trying to dig up a substitute. The only possible +substitutes were Hepworth and Biggs, neither of them first class +men but passable, and Fatty Rose. The two former, however, had +gone for the day to Calgary, and Fatty Rose was hopelessly slow. +Sam discussed the distressing situation with such members of the +team as could be hastily got together. + +"Dere's dat new feller," suggested Joe. + +"That's so," said Vial, familiarly known as Bottles. "That chap +Sykes, Farwell's friend. He's a dandy dribbler. He could take +Cassap's place on left wing and let Cassap take goal." + +With immense relief the team accepted this solution of the +difficulty. But gloom still covered Sam's face. "He's only been +here two weeks," he said, "and you know darn well the rule calls +for four." + +"Oh, hang it!" said Bottles, "he's going to be a resident all +right. He's a real resident right now, and anyway, they won't know +anything about it." + +"Oh, cut it out," said Sam, suddenly flaring into wrath. "You know +we can't do that sort of thing. It ain't the game and we ain't +goin' to do it." + +"What ain't the game?" enquired Larry, who had come upon the +anxious and downcast group. + +Farwell told him the calamitous news and explained the problem +under discussion. "We'd play Sykes, only he hasn't been here a +month yet, and Sam won't stand for it," he said. + +"Of course Sam won't stand for it, and the Captain is right," +said Larry. "Is there nobody else, Sam?" Sam shook his head +despondently. "Would I be any good, Sam? I am not keen about it, +but if you think I could take Cassap's place on left wing, he could +take goal." + +Sam brightened up a little. "Guess we can't do no better," he said +doubtfully. "I mean," he added in answer to the shout of laughter +from the team--"Aw, shut up, can that cackle. We know the Master +hates football an' this is goin' to be a real fightin' game. He'll +get all knocked about an' I don't want that. You know he'll be +takin' all kinds of chances." + +"Oh, quit, Sam. I am in pretty good shape," said Larry. "They +can't kill me. That's the best I can do anyway, so let's get to +them." + +The situation was sufficiently gloomy to stir Joe to his supremest +efforts and to kindle Sam's spirit to a blazing flame. "We don't +need Sykes nor nobody else," he shouted to his men as they moved on +to the field. "They can wear their boots out on that defence line +of ours an' be derned to 'em. An', Bottles, you got to play the +game of your life to-day. None of your fancy embroidery, just +plain knittin'. Every feller on the ball an' every feller play to +his man. There'll be a lot of females hangin' around, but we don't +want any frills for the girls to admire. But all at it an' all the +time." Sam's little red eyes glowed with even a more fiery hue +than usual; his rat-like face assumed its most belligerent aspect. + +Before the match Larry took the Eagle Hill captain, a young +Englishman who had been trying for ten years to make a living on a +ranch far up among the foothills and was only beginning to succeed, +to his mother, who had been persuaded to witness the game. They +found her in Kathleen's care and under instruction from young +Farwell as to the fundamental principles of the game. Near them a +group of men were standing, among whom were Switzer, Waring-Gaunt, +and Jack Romayne, listening to Farwell's dissertation. + +"You see, Mrs. Gwynne," he said, "no one may handle the ball--head, +feet, body, may be used, but not the hands." + +"But I understand they sometimes hurt each other, Mr. Farwell." + +"Oh, accidents will happen even on the farm, Mrs. Gwynne. For +instance, Coleman this morning had a horse step on his foot, +necessitating Larry's going on." + +"Is Lawrence going to play?" said Mrs. Gwynne. "Ah, here he is. +Lawrence, are you in good condition? You have not been playing." + +"I am not really very fit, Mother, not very hard, but I have been +running a good deal. I don't expect I shall be much use. Sam is +quite dubious about it." + +"He will be all right, Mrs. Gwynne," said Farwell confidently. "He +is the fastest runner in the team. If he were only twenty pounds +heavier and if he were a bit more keen about the game he would be a +star." + +"Why don't they play Sykes?" inquired Kathleen. "I heard some of +the boys say this morning that Sykes was going to play. He is +quite wonderful, I believe." + +"He is," replied Larry, "quite wonderful, but unfortunately he is +not eligible. But let me introduce Mr. Duckworth, Captain of our +enemy." + +Mrs. Gwynne received the young man with a bright smile. "I am +sorry I cannot wish you victory, and all the more now that my own +son is to be engaged. But I don't understand, Larry," she +continued, "why Mr. Sykes cannot play." + +"Why, because there's a League regulation, Mother, that makes a +month's residence in the district necessary to a place on the team. +Unfortunately Sykes has been here only two weeks, and so we are +unwilling to put one over on our gallant foe. Got to play the +game, eh, Duckworth?" + +Duckworth's face grew fiery red. "Yes, certainly," he said. +"Rather an awkward rule but--" + +"You see, Mother, we want to eliminate every sign of professionalism," +said Larry, "and emphasise the principle of local material for +clubs." + +"Ah, I see, and a very good idea, I should say," said his mother. +"The Eagle Hill team, for instance, will be made up of Eagle Hill +men only. That is really much better for the game because you get +behind your team all the local pride and enthusiasm." + +"A foolish rule, I call it," said Switzer abruptly to Kathleen, +"and you can't enforce it anyway. Who can tell the personality of +a team ten, twenty or fifty miles away?" + +"I fancy they can tell themselves," said Jack Romayne. "Their +Captain can certify to his men." + +"Aha!" laughed Switzer. "That's good. The Captain, I suppose, is +keen to win. Do you think he would keep a man off his team who is +his best player, and who may bring him the game?" Switzer's face +was full of scorn. + +"I take it they are gentlemen," was Romayne's quiet rejoinder. + +"Of course, Mr. Romayne," said Mrs. Gwynne. "That gets rid of all +the difficulty. Otherwise it seems to me that all the pleasure +would be gone from the contest, the essential condition of which is +keeping to the rules." + +"Good for you, Mother. You're a real sport," said Larry. + +"Besides," replied his mother, "we have Scripture for it. You +remember what it says? 'If a man strive for masteries yet is he +not crowned except he strive lawfully.' 'Except he strive +lawfully,' you see. The crown he might otherwise win would bring +neither honour nor pleasure." + +"Good again, Mother. You ought to have a place on the League +committee. We shall have that Scripture entered on the rules. But +I must run and dress. Farwell, you can take charge of Duckworth." + +But Duckworth was uneasy to be gone. "If you will excuse me, Mrs. +Gwynne, I must get my men together." + +"Well, Mr. Duckworth," said Mrs. Gwynne, smiling on him as she gave +him her hand, "I am sorry we cannot wish you a victory, but we can +wish you your very best game and an honourable defeat." + +"Thank you," said Duckworth. "I feel you have done your best." + +"Come and see us afterward, Mr. Duckworth. What a splendid young +man," she continued, as Duckworth left the party and set off to get +his men together with the words "except he strive lawfully" ringing +in his ears. + +"She's a wonder," he said to himself. "I wonder how it is she got +to me as she has. I know. She makes me think--" But Duckworth +refused even to himself to say of whom she made him think. "Except +he strive lawfully" the crown would bring "neither honour nor +pleasure." Those words, and the face which had suddenly been +recalled to Duckworth's memory reconstructed his whole scheme of +football diplomacy. "By George, we cannot play Liebold; we can't +do it. The boys will kick like steers, but how can we? I'm up +against a fierce proposition, all right." + +And so he found when he called his men together and put to them the +problem before him. "It seems a rotten time to bring this matter +up just when we are going on to the ground, but I never really +thought much about it till that little lady put it to me as I told +you. And, fellows, I have felt as if it were really up to me to +put it before you. They have lost their goal man, Coleman--there's +no better in the League--and because of this infernal rule they +decline to put on a cracking good player. They are playing the +game on honour, and they are expecting us to do the same, and as +that English chap says, they expect us to be gentlemen. I +apologise to you all, and if you say go on as we are, I will go on +because I feel I ought to have kicked before. But I do so under +protest and feeling like a thief. I suggest that Harremann take +Liebold's place. Awfully sorry about it, Liebold, and I apologise +to you. I can't tell you how sorry I am, boys, but that's how it +is with me." + +There was no time for discussion, and strangely enough there was +little desire for it, the Captain's personality and the action of +the Wolf Willow team carrying the proposition through. Harremann +took his place on the team, and Liebold made his contribution that +day from the side lines. But the team went on to the field with a +sense that whatever might be the outcome of the match they had +begun the day with victory. + +The match was contested with the utmost vigour, not to say +violence; but there was a absence of the rancour which had too +often characterised the clashing of these teams on previous +occasions, the Eagle Hill team carrying on to the field a new +respect for their opponents as men who had shown a true sporting +spirit. And by the time the first quarter was over their action in +substituting an inferior player for Liebold for honour's sake was +known to all the members of the Wolf Willow team, and awakened in +them and in their friends among the spectators a new respect for +their enemy. The match resulted in a victory for the home team, +but the generous applause which followed the Eagle Hill team from +the field and which greeted them afterward at the dinner where they +occupied an honoured place at the table set apart for distinguished +guests, and the excellent dinner provided by the thrifty Ladies' +Aid of All Saints Church went far to soothe their wounded spirits +and to atone for their defeat. + +"Awfully fine of you, Duckworth," said Larry, as they left the +table together. "That's the sort of thing that makes for clean +sport." + +"I promised to see your mother after the match," said Duckworth. +"Can we find her now?" + +"Sure thing," said Larry. + +Mrs. Gwynne received the young man with hand stretched far out to +meet him. + +"You made us lose the game, Mrs. Gwynne," said Duckworth in a half- +shamed manner, "and that is one reason why I came to see you +again." + +"I?" exclaimed Mrs. Gwynne. + +"Well, you quoted Scripture against us, and you know you can't +stand up against Scripture and hope to win, can you?" said +Duckworth with a laugh. + +"Sit down here beside me, Mr. Duckworth," she said, her eyes +shining. "I won't pretend not to understand you;" she continued +when he had taken his place beside her. "I can't tell you how +proud I am of you." + +"Thank you," said Duckworth. "I like to hear that. You see I +never thought about it very much. I am not excusing myself." + +"No, I know you are not, but I heard about it, Mr. Duckworth. We +all think so much of you. I am sure your mother is proud of you." + +Young Duckworth sat silent, his eyes fastened upon the ground. + +"Please forgive me. Perhaps she is--no longer with you," said Mrs. +Gwynne softly, laying her hand upon his. Duckworth nodded, +refusing to look at her and keeping his lips firmly pressed +together. "I was wrong in what I said just now," she continued. +"She is with you still; she knows and follows all your doings, and +I believe she is proud of you." + +Duckworth cleared his throat and said with an evident effort, "You +made me think of her to-day, and I simply had to play up. I must +go now. I must see the fellows." He rose quickly to his feet. + +"Come and see us, won't you?" said Mrs. Gwynne. + +"Won't I just," replied Duckworth, holding her hand a moment or +two. "I can't tell you how glad I am that I met you to-day." + +"Oh, wait, Mr. Duckworth. Nora, come here. I want you to meet my +second daughter. Nora, this is Mr. Duckworth, the Captain." + +"Oh, I know him, the Captain of the enemy," cried Nora. + +"Of our friends, Nora," said her mother. + +"All right, of our friends, now that we have beaten you, but I want +to tell you, Mr. Duckworth, that I could gladly have slain you many +times to-day." + +"And why, pray?" + +"Oh, you were so terribly dangerous, and as for Larry, why you just +played with him. It was perfectly maddening to me." + +"All the same your brother got away from me and shot the winning +goal. He's fearfully fast." + +"A mere fluke, I tell him." + +"Don't you think it for one little minute. It was a neat bit of +work." + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE SPIRIT Of CANADA + + +Whatever it was that rendered it necessary for Duckworth to "see +the fellows," that necessity vanished in the presence of Nora. + +"Are you going to take in the polo?" he asked. + +"Am I? Am I going to continue breathing?" cried Nora. "Come +along, Mother, we must go if we are to get a good place." + +"May I find one for you," said Mr. Duckworth, quite forgetting that +he "must see the fellows," and thinking only of his good luck in +falling in with such a "stunning-looking girl." He himself had +changed into flannels, and with his athletic figure, his brown, +healthy face, brown eyes and hair, was a thoroughly presentable +young man. He found a place with ease for his party, a dozen +people offering to make room for them. As Mr. Duckworth let his +eyes rest upon the young lady at his side his sense of good-fortune +grew upon him, for Nora in white pique skirt and batiste blouse +smartly girdled with a scarlet patent leather belt, in white canvas +shoes and sailor hat, made a picture good to look at. Her dark +olive brown skin, with rich warm colour showing through the sunburn +of her cheeks, her dark eyes, and her hair for once "done up in +style" under Kathleen's supervision, against the white of her +costume made her indeed what her escort thought, "a stunning- +looking girl." Usually careless as to her appearance, she had +yielded to Kathleen's persuasion and had "gotten herself up to +kill." No wonder her friends of both sexes followed her with eyes +of admiration, for no one envied Nora, her frank manner, her +generous nature, her open scorn at all attempts to win admiration, +made her only friends. + +"Bring your mother over here," cried Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, who +rejoiced exceedingly in the girl's beauty. "Why, how splendidly +you are looking to-day," she continued in a more confidential tone +as the party grouped themselves about her. "What have you been +doing to yourself? You are looking awfully fine." + +"Am I?" said Nora, exceedingly pleased with herself. "I am awfully +glad. It is all Kathleen's doing. I got me the belt and the hat +new for this show." + +"Very smart, that belt, my dear," said her friend. + +"I rather fancy it myself, and Kathleen would do up my hair in this +new way," said Nora, removing her hat that the full glory of her +coiffure might appear. "Do you like it?" + +"Perfectly spiffing!" ejaculated Mr. Duckworth, who had taken a +seat just behind her chair. + +Nora threw him a challenging glance that made that young man's +heart skip a beat or two as all the excitements of the match had +not. + +"Are you a judge?" said the girl, tipping her saucy chin at him. + +"Am I? With four sisters and dozens of cousins to practise on, I +fancy I might claim to be a regular bench show expert." + +"Then," cried Nora with sudden animation, "you are the very man I +want." + +"Thank you so much," replied Mr. Duckworth fervently. + +"I mean, perhaps you can advise me. Now as you look at me--" The +young man's eyes burned into hers so that with all her audacity +Nora felt the colour rising in her face. "Which would you suggest +as the most suitable style for me, the psyche knot or the neck +roll?" + +"I beg your pardon? I rather--" + +"Or would you say the French twist?" + +"Ah, the French twist--" + +"Or simply marcelled and pomped?" + +"I am afraid--" + +"Or perhaps the pancake or the coronet?" + +"Well," said the young man, desperately plunging, "the coronet I +should say would certainly not be inappropriate. It goes with +princesses, duchesses and that sort of thing. Don't you think so, +Mrs. Waring-Gaunt?" said Duckworth, hoping to be extricated. That +lady, however, gave him no assistance but continued to smile +affectionately at the girl beside her. "What style is this that +you have now adopted, may I ask?" inquired Mr. Duckworth cautiously. + +"Oh, that's a combination of several. It's a creation of Kathleen's +which as yet has received no name." + +"Then it should be named at once," said Duckworth with great +emphasis. "May I suggest the Thunderbolt? You see, of course--so +stunning." + +"They are coming on," cried Nora, turning her shoulder in disdain +upon the young man. "Look, there's your brother, Mrs. Waring- +Gaunt. I think he is perfectly splendid." + +"Which is he?" said Mr. Duckworth, acutely interested. + +"That tall, fine-looking man on the brown pony." + +"Oh, yes, I see. Met him this morning. By Jove, he is some looker +too," replied Mr. Duckworth with reluctant enthusiasm. + +"And there is the High River Captain," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, "on +the grey." + +"Oh, yes, Monteith, he played for All Canada last year, didn't he?" +said Nora with immense enthusiasm. "He is perfectly splendid." + +"I hear the High River club has really sent only its second team, +or at least two of them," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "Certainly +Tremaine is not with them." + +"I hope they get properly trimmed for it," said Nora, indignantly. +"Such cheek!" + +The result of the match quite exceeded Nora's fondest hopes, for +the High River team, having made the fatal error of despising the +enemy, suffered the penalty of their mistake in a crushing defeat. +It was certainly a memorable day for Wolf Willow, whose inhabitants +were exalted to a height of glory as they never experienced in all +their history. + +"Serves us right," said Monteith, the High River Captain, +apologising for his team's poor display to his friend, Hec Ross, +who had commanded the Wolf Willow team. "We deserved to be jolly +well licked, and we got what was coming to us." + +"Oh, we're not worrying," replied the Wolf Willow Captain, himself +a sturdy horseman and one of the most famous stick handlers in the +West. "Of course, we know that if Murray and Knight had been with +you the result would have been different." + +"I am not at all sure about that," replied Monteith. "That new man +of yours, Romayne, is a wonder. Army man, isn't he?" + +"Yes, played in India, I believe." + +"Oh, no wonder he's such a don at it. You ought to get together a +great team here, Ross, and I should like to bring our team down +again to give you a real game." + +"When?" + +"Say two weeks. No. That throws it a little late for the harvest. +Say a week from to-day." + +"I shall let you know to-night," said Ross. "You are staying for +the spellbinding fest and entertainment, are you not?" + +"Sure thing; we are out for the whole day. Who are on for the +speaking?" + +"Gilchrist for one, our Member for the Dominion, you know." + +"Oh, yes, strong man, I believe. He's a Liberal, of Course." + +"Yes," replied Ross, "he's a Grit all right, hide-bound too--" + +"Which you are not, I take it," replied Monteith with a laugh. + +"Traditionally I am a Conservative," said Ross, "but last election +I voted Liberal. I don't know how you were but I was keen on +Reciprocity." + +"The contrary with me," replied Monteith. "Traditionally I am a +Liberal, but I voted Conservative." + +"You voted against Reciprocity, you a western man voted against +a better market for our wheat and stuff, and against cheaper +machinery?" + +"Yes, I knew quite well it would give us a better market for our +grain here, and it would give us cheaper machinery too, but--do you +really care to know why I switched?" + +"Sure thing; I'd like awfully to hear if you don't mind. We are +not discussing politics, you understand." + +"No. Well," said Monteith, "two things made me change my party. +In the first place, to be quite frank, I was afraid of American +domination. We are a small people yet. Their immense wealth would +overwhelm our manufacturers and flood our markets with cheap stuff, +and with trade dominance there would more easily go political +dominance. You remember Taft's speech? That settled it for me. +That was one thing. The other was the Navy question. I didn't +like Laurier's attitude. I am a Canadian, born right here in +Alberta, but I am an Imperialist. I am keen about the Empire and +that sort of thing. I believe that our destiny is with the Empire +and that with the Empire we shall attain to our best. And since +the Empire has protected us through all of our history, I believe +the time has come when we should make our contribution to its +defence. We ought to have a fleet, and that fleet in time of war +should automatically be merged with the Imperial Navy. That's how +I felt at the last election. This autonomy stuff of Laurier's is +all right, but it should not interfere with Imperial unity." + +"It's a funny thing," replied Ross. "I take the opposite side on +both these points. I was born in the Old Country and like most Old +Country people believe in Free Trade. So I was keen to wipe out +all barriers between the United States and ourselves in trade. I +believe in trading wherever you can get the best terms. As for +American domination, I have not the slightest fear in the world of +the Yankees. They might flood our markets at first, probably +would, but they would certainly bring in capital. We need capital +badly, you know that. And why should not factories be established +on this side of the line with American money? Pennsylvania does +not hurt New York, nor Illinois Dakota. Why then, with all trade +barriers thrown down, should the United States hurt Canada? And +then on the other side, we get a market for everything we grow at +our doors. Reciprocity looked good to me. As for imperilling our +Imperial connections--I do not mean to be offensive at all--of +course you see what your position amounts to--that our financial +interests would swamp our loyalty, that our loyalty is a thing of +dollars and cents. My idea is that nothing in the world from the +outside can ever break the bonds that hold Canada to the Empire, +and after all, heart bonds are the strong bonds. Then in regard to +the Navy, I take the other view from you also. I believe I am a +better Canadian than you, although I am not Canadian born. I think +there's something awfully fine in Canada's splendid independence. +She wants to run her own ranch, and by George she will, and +everything on it. She is going to boss her own job and will allow +no one else to butt in. I agree with what you say about the +Empire. Canada ought to have a Navy and quick. She ought to take +her share of the burden of defence. But I agree here with Laurier. +I believe her ships should be under her own control. For after all +only the Canadian Government has the right to speak the word that +sends them out to war. Of course, when once Canada hands them over +to the Imperial Navy, they will fall into line and take their +orders from the Admiral that commands the fleet. Do you know I +believe that Laurier is right in sticking out for autonomy." + +"I am awfully interested in what you say, and I don't believe we +are so far apart. It's a thousand pities they did not keep +together in the Commons. They could easily have worked it out." + +"Yes, it was a beastly shame," replied Ross. + +"But isn't it rather queer," said Monteith, "and isn't it +significant, too? Here I am, born in Canada, sticking out against +reciprocity and anxious to guard our Imperial connection and ready +to hand our Navy clean over to the Imperial authorities, and on the +other hand, there you are, born in the Old Country, you don't +appear to care a darn about Imperial connections. You let that +take care of itself, and you stick up for Canadian autonomy to the +limit." + +"Well, for one thing," replied Ross, "we ought to get together on +the Navy business. On the trade question we represent, of course, +two schools of economics, but we ought not to mix up the flag with +our freight. This flag-flapping business makes me sick." + +"There you are again," said Monteith. "Here I am, born right here +in the West, and yet I believe in all the flag-flapping you can +bring about and right here in this country too. Why, you know how +it is with these foreigners, Ruthenians, Russians, Germans, Poles. +Do you know that in large sections of this western country the +foreign vote controls the election? I believe we ought to take +every means to teach them to love the flag and shout for it too. +Oh, I know you Old Country chaps. You take the flag for granted, +and despise this flag-raising business. Let me tell you something. +I went across to Oregon a little while ago and saw something that +opened my eyes. In a little school in the ranching country in a +settlement of mixed foreigners--Swedes, Italians, Germans, Jews-- +they had a great show they called 'saluting the flag.' Being +Scotch you despise the whole thing as a lot of rotten slushy +sentimentality, and a lot of Canadians agree with you. But let me +tell you how they got me. I watched those kids with their foreign +faces, foreign speech--you ought to hear them read--Great Scott, +you'd have to guess at the language. Then came this flag-saluting +business. A kid with Yiddish written all over his face was chosen +to carry in the flag, attended by a bodyguard for the colours, and +believe me they appeared as proud as Punch of the honour. They +placed the flag in position, sang a hymn, had a prayer, then every +kid at a signal shot out his right hand toward the flag held aloft +by the Yiddish colour bearer and pledged himself, heart, and soul, +and body, to his flag and to his country. The ceremony closed with +the singing of the national hymn, mighty poor poetry and mighty +hard to sing, but do you know listening to those kids and watching +their foreign faces I found myself with tears in my eyes and +swallowing like a darn fool. Ever since that day I believe in +flag-flapping." + +"Maybe you are right," replied Ross. "You know we British folk are +so fearfully afraid of showing our feelings. We go along like +graven images; the more really stirred up, the more graven we +appear. But suppose we move over to the platform where the +speechifying is to be done." + +In front of the school building a platform had been erected, and +before the stage, preparations had been made for seating the +spectators as far as the school benches and chairs from neighbours' +houses would go. The programme consisted of patriotic songs and +choruses with contributions from the minstrel company. The main +events of the evening, however, were to be the addresses, the +principal speech being by the local member for the Dominion +Parliament, Mr. J. H. Gilchrist, who was to be followed by a local +orator, Mr. Alvin P. Jones, a former resident of the United States, +but now an enthusiastic, energetic and most successful farmer and +business man, possessing one of the best appointed ranches in +Alberta. The chairman was, of course, Reverend Evans Rhye. The +parson was a little Welshman, fat and fussy and fiery of temper, +but his heart was warmly human, and in his ministry he manifested a +religion of such simplicity and devotion, of such complete +unselfishness as drew to him the loyal affection of the whole +community. Even such sturdy Presbyterians as McTavish, the Rosses, +Angus Frazer and his mother, while holding tenaciously and without +compromise to their own particular form of doctrine and worship, +yielded Mr. Rhye, in the absence of a church and minister of their +own denomination, a support and esteem unsurpassed even among his +own folk. Their attitude was considered to be stated with +sufficient clearness by Angus Frazer in McTavish's store one day. +"I am not that sure about the doctrine, but he has the right kind +of religion for me." And McTavish's reply was characteristic: +"Doctrine! He has as gude as you can expec' frae thae Episcopawlian +buddies. But he's a Godly man and he aye pays his debts whatever," +which from McTavish was as high praise as could reasonably be +expected. + +The audience comprised the total population of Wolf Willow and its +vicinity, as well as visitors from the country within a radius of +ten or fifteen miles. + +Mr. J. H. Gilchrist, M. P., possessed the initial advantages of +Scotch parentage and of early Scotch training, and besides these he +was a farmer and knew the farmer's mind. To these advantages he +added those of a course of training in Toronto University in the +departments of metaphysics and economics, and an additional +advantage of five years' pedagogical experience. He possessed, +moreover, the gift of lucid and forceful speech. With such +equipment small wonder that he was in demand for just such occasions +as a Dominion Day celebration and in just such a community as Wolf +Willow. The theme of his address was Canadian Citizenship, Its +Duties and Its Responsibilities, a theme somewhat worn but +possessing the special advantage of being removed from the scope of +party politics while at the same time affording opportunity for the +elucidation of the political principles of that party which Mr. +Gilchrist represented, and above all for a fervid patriotic appeal. +With Scotch disdain of all that savoured of flattery or idle +compliment, Mr. Gilchrist plunged at once into the heart of his +subject. + +"First, the area of Canada. Forty-six years ago, when Canada +became a nation, the Dominion possessed an area of 662,148 square +miles; to-day her area covers 3,729,665 square miles, one-third the +total size of the British Empire, as large as the continent of +Europe without Russia, larger by over one hundred thousand square +miles than the United States." + +"Hear, hear," cried an enthusiastic voice from the rear. + +"Aye, water and snow," in a rasping voice from old McTavish. + +"Water and snow," replied Mr. Gilchrist. "Yes, plenty of water, +125,000 square miles of it, and a good thing it is too for Canada. +Some people sniff at water," continued the speaker with a humorous +glance at McTavish, "but even a Scotchman may with advantage +acknowledge the value of a little water." The crowd went off into +a roar of laughter at the little Scotchman who was supposed to be +averse to the custom of mixing too much water with his drink. + +"My friend, Mr. McTavish," continued the speaker, "has all a +Scotchman's hatred of bounce and brag. I am not indulging in +foolish brag, but I maintain that no Canadian can rightly prize the +worth of his citizenship who does not know something of his +country, something of the wealth of meaning lying behind that word +'Canada,' and I purpose to tell you this evening something of some +of Canada's big things. I shall speak of them with gratitude and +with pride, but chiefly with a solemnising sense of responsibility. + +"As for the 'water and the snow' question: Let me settle that now. +Water for a great inland continental country like ours is one of +its most valuable assets for it means three things. First, cheap +transportation. We have the longest continuous waterway in the +world, and with two small cuttings Canada can bring ocean-going +ships into the very heart of the continent. Second, water means +climate rainfall, and there need be no fear of snow and frost while +great bodies of open water lie about. And third, water power. Do +you know that Canada stands first in the world in its water power? +It possesses twice the water power of the United States (we like to +get something in which we can excel our American cousins), and +lying near the great centres of population too. Let me give you +three examples. Within easy reach of Vancouver on the west coast +there is at least 350,000 horse power, of which 75,000 is now in +use. Winnipeg, the metropolitan centre of Canada, where more than +in any place else can be heard the heart beat of the Dominion, has +400,000 horse power available, of which she now uses 50,000. +Toronto lies within reach of the great Niagara, whose power no one +can estimate, while along the course of the mighty St. Lawrence +towns and cities lie within touch of water power that is beyond all +calculation as yet. And do you Alberta people realise that right +here in your own province the big Bassano Dam made possible by a +tiny stream taken from the Bow River furnishes irrigation power for +over a million acres? Perhaps that will do about the water." + +"Oo aye," said McTavish, with profound resignation in his voice. +"Ye'll dae wi' that." + +"And snow," cried the speaker. "We would not willingly be without +our snow in Canada. Snow means winter transport, better business, +lumbering, and above all, wheat. Where you have no snow and frost +you cannot get the No. 1 hard wheat. Don't quarrel with the snow. +It is Canada's snow and frost that gives her the first place in the +world in wheat production. So much for the water and the snow." + +McTavish hitched about uneasily. He wanted to have the speaker get +done with this part of his theme. + +From Canada's area Mr. Gilchrist passed on to deal with Canada's +resources, warning his audience that the greater part of these +resources was as yet undeveloped and that he should have to indulge +in loud-sounding phrases, but he promised them that whatever words +he might employ he would still be unable to adequately picture to +their imagination the magnitude of Canada's undeveloped wealth. +Then in a perfect torrent he poured forth upon the people +statistics setting forth Canada's possessions in mines and forests, +in fisheries, in furs, in agricultural products, and especially in +wheat. At the word "wheat" he pulled up abruptly. + +"Wheat," he exclaimed, "the world's great food for men. And Canada +holds the greatest wheat farm in all the world. Not long ago Jim +Hill told the Minneapolis millers that three-fourths of the wheat +lands on the American continent were north of the boundary line and +that Canada could feed every mouth in Europe. Our wheat crop this +year will go nearly 250,000,000 bushels, and this, remember, +without fertilisation and with very poor farming, for we Western +Canadians are poor farmers. We owe something to our American +settlers who are teaching us something of the science and art of +agriculture. Remember, too, that our crop comes from only one- +seventh of our wheat lands. Had the other six-sevenths been +cropped, our wheat yield would be over three and a half billion +bushels--just about the world's supply. We should never be content +till Canada does her full duty to the world, till Canada gives to +the world all that is in her power to give. I make no apology for +dwelling at such length upon Canada's extent and resources. + +"Now let me speak to you about our privileges and responsibilities +as citizens of this Dominion. Our possessions and material things +will be our destruction unless we use them not only for our own +good, but for the good of the world. And these possessions we can +never properly use till we learn to prize those other possessions +of heart and mind and soul." + +With a light touch upon the activities of Canadians, in the +development of their country in such matters as transportation and +manufactures, he passed to a consideration of the educational, +social, industrial, political and religious privileges which +Canadian citizens enjoyed. + +"These are the things," he cried, "that have to do with the +nation's soul. These are the things that determine the quality of +a people and their place among the nations, their influence in the +world. In the matter of education it is the privilege of every +child in Canada to receive a sound training, not only in the +elementary branches of study, but even in higher branches as well. +In Canada social distinctions are based more upon worth than upon +wealth, more upon industry and ability than upon blue blood. +Nowhere in the world is it more profoundly true that + + + "'A man's a man for a' that; + The rank is but the guinea's stamp; + The man's the gowd for a' that.'" + + +At this old McTavish surprised the audience and himself by crying +out, "Hear-r-r, hear-r-r," glancing round defiantly as if daring +anyone to take up his challenge. + +"In matters of religion," continued the speaker, "the churches of +Canada hold a position of commanding influence, not because of +any privileges accorded them by the State, nor because of any +adventitious or meretricious aids, but solely because of their +ability to minister to the social and spiritual needs of the +people." + +Briefly the speaker proceeded to touch upon some characteristic +features of Canadian political institutions. + +"Nowhere in the world," he said, "do the people of a country enjoy +a greater measure of freedom. We belong to a great world Empire. +This connection we value and mean to cherish, but our Imperial +relations do not in the slightest degree infringe upon our +liberties. The Government of Canada is autonomous. Forty-six +years ago the four provinces of Canada were united into a single +Dominion with representative Government of the most complete kind. +Canada is a Democracy, and in no Democracy in the world does the +will of the people find more immediate and more complete expression +than in our Dominion. With us political liberty is both a heritage +and an achievement, a heritage from our forefathers who made this +Empire what it is, and an achievement of our own people led by +great and wise statesmen. This priceless possession of liberty we +shall never surrender, for the nation that surrenders its liberty, +no matter what other possessions it may retain, has lost its soul." + +The address concluded with an appeal to the people for loyal +devotion to the daily duties of life in their various relations as +members of families, members of the community, citizens of the +Province and of the Dominion. In the applause that followed the +conclusion of this address, even old McTavish was observed to +contribute his share with something amounting almost to enthusiasm. + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE SHADOW OF WAR + + +It was finally agreed that a part at least of the responsibility +for the disturbance which marred the harmony of the Dominion Day +celebration at Wolf Willow upon this occasion must rest on the +shoulders of Mr. Alvin P. Jones. The impressive presentation by +Mr. Gilchrist of Canada's greatness and the splendour of her future +appeared to stimulate Mr. Jones to unusual flights of oratory. +Under ordinary circumstances Mr. Jones' oratory was characterised +by such extraordinary physical vigour, if not violence, and by such +a fluency of orotund and picturesque speech, that with the +multitude sound passed for eloquence and platitudes on his lips +achieved the dignity of profound wisdom. Building upon the +foundation laid by the previous speaker, Mr. Jones proceeded to +extol the grandeur of the Dominion, the wonders of her possessions, +the nobility of her people, the splendour of her institutions, the +glory of her future. He himself was not by birth a Canadian, but +so powerful a spell had the Dominion cast over him that he had +become a Canadian by adoption. Proud of his American birth and +citizenship, he was even more proud of his Canadian citizenship. +He saw before him a large number of American citizens who had come +to throw in their lot with the Dominion of Canada. He believed +they had done a wise thing, and that among the most loyal citizens +of this Dominion none would be found more devoted to the material +welfare and the spiritual well-being of Canada than those who came +from the other side of the line. He saw a number of those who were +sometimes improperly called foreigners. He said "improperly" +because whatever their origin, whether Ruthenian, Swede, French, +German, or whatever their race might be, here they were simply +Canadians with all the rights of Canadian citizenship assured to +them. He was glad to see so many of his German friends present. +They represent a great nation whose achievements in every department +of human activity, in learning, in industrial enterprise, in +commerce, were the envy and admiration of the world (excursus here +in glorification of the great German people): To these, his German +fellow citizens, he would say that no matter how deep their devotion +to the Vaterland (Mr. Jones pronounced it with a "v") he knew they +would be loyal citizens of Canada. The German Empire had its +differences and disagreements with Great Britain, the American +Republic has had the same, and indeed it was possible that there +were a number present who might not cherish any very passionate +regard for the wealthy, complaisant, self-contained somewhat +slow-going old gentleman, John Bull. But here in Canada, we were +all Canadians! First, last and all the time, Canadians (great +applause). Whatever might be said of other countries, their wealth, +their power, their glory, Canada was good enough for him (more +applause, followed by a further elaboration of Canada's vast +resources, etc., etc.). Canada's future was unclouded by the +political complications and entanglements of the older countries in +Europe. For one hundred years they had been at peace with the +Republic south of that imaginary line which delimited the boundaries, +but which did not divide the hearts of these two peoples (great +applause). For his part, while he rejoiced in the greatness of the +British Empire he believed that Canada's first duty was to herself, +to the developing here of a strong and sturdy national spirit. +Canada for Canadians, Canada first, these were the motives that had +guided his life both in public service and as a private citizen +(loud applause). In this country there was a place for all, no +matter from what country they came, a place for the Ruthenian +(enumeration of the various European and Asiatic states from which +potential citizens of Canada had come). Let us join hands and +hearts in building up a great empire where our children, free from +old-world entanglements, free to develop in our own way our own +institutions (eloquent passages on freedom) in obedience to laws of +our own making, defended by the strong arms and brave hearts of our +own sons, aided (here the speaker permitted himself a smile of +gentle humour) by the mighty wing of the American eagle (references +to the Monroe Doctrine and its protection of Canada's shores) we +shall abide in peace and security from all aggression and all alarm. +(Thunderous and continued applause, during which the speaker resumed +his seat.) + +It was old McTavish who precipitated the trouble. The old Highlander +belonged to a family that boasted a long line of fighting forbears. +Ever since The Forty-five when the German king for the time occupying +the English throne astutely diverted the martial spirit of the +Scottish clans from the business of waging war against his own +armies, their chief occupation, to that of fighting his continental +foes, The McTavish was to be found ever in the foremost ranks of +British men-of-war, joyously doing battle for his clan and for his +king, who, if the truth were told, he regarded with scant loyalty. +Like so many of the old timers in western Canada, this particular +McTavish had been at one time a servant of the Hudson Bay Company +and as such had done his part in the occupation, peaceful and +otherwise, of the vast territories administered by that great +trading company. In his fiery fighting soul there burned a +passionate loyalty to the name and fame of the land of his birth, +and a passionate pride in the Empire under whose flag the Company's +ships had safely sailed the northern seas and had safely traded in +these vast wild lands for nearly three hundred years. Deep as this +loyalty and pride in the soul of him there lay a cold suspicion of +the Yankee. He had met him in those old days of trade war, had +suffered and had seen his Company suffer from his wiles, and finally +had been compelled to witness with bitter but unavailing hate the +steady encroachment of those rival traders upon the ancient +prerogatives and preserves of his own Company, once the sole and +undisputed lords of the northern half of the American continent. In +the person of Mr. Alvin P. Jones, McTavish saw the representative of +those ancient enemies of his, and in the oration to which he had +just listened he fancied he detected a note of disloyalty to the +flag, a suggestion of a break in the allegiance of Canada to the +Empire, and worst of all, a hint that Canada might safely depend for +protection upon something other than the naval power which had +guarded the shores of his country these many years from enemy +invasion. These things wrought in old McTavish an uncontrollable +anger, and no sooner had the tumultuous applause died away than he +was on his feet and in a high, rasping voice demanding audience. + +"Will ye per-r-rmit me, Mr. Chair-r-rman, a few words in regar-r-d +to the remarkable address to which we haf listened?" Permission +was graciously granted by the chairman, surprise and complaisant +delight mantling the steaming face of Mr. Alvin P. Jones, albeit at +his heart there lurked a certain uneasiness, for on more than one +occasion had he suffered under the merciless heckling of the little +Scotchman. + +"'Tis a wonderful address we haf been hearing, an eloquent address. +Some of it iss true an' some of it iss lies [commotion in the +audience--the smile on Mr. Alvin P. Jones's face slightly less +expansive]. The speaker has told us about Canada, its great +extent, its vast r-r-resources. Some of us haf known about these +things while yet his mother was still sucking him [snickers of +delight from the younger members of the audience and cries of, +'Go to it, Mack]. 'Tis a great Dominion whatefer and will be a +gr-r-reater Dominion yet so lang as it keeps to right ways. He has +told us of the mighty achievements of Cher-r-rmany. I will jist be +askin' him what has Cher-r-rmany done for this country or for any +country but her ainsel? She has cluttered us up wi' pot-metal, +cutlery an' such things, an' cheap cloth that ye can put yer finger +through, an' that will be done in a month's wear-r-ring. Musick, +ye'll be sayin'! Musick! I was in Calgary not long since. They +took me to what they will be callin' a music-kale [delighted roars +of laughter from the audience]. A music-kale indeed! I haf +hear-r-rd of cauld kale an' het kale, of kale porridge an' kale +brose, but nefer haf I hear-r-rd before of a music-kale. Bless me, +man, I cud make neither head nor tail o' it, and they wer-r-re no +better themsel's. They had printed notes about it an' a bit man +makin' a speech about it, but not one of them knew a thing about the +hale hypotheck. Musick, quare musick I call it! If it is musick +yer wantin', gif me Angus there wi' the pipes [wild cheers +testifying to Angus's popularity] or the master-r-r himsel' an' the +young lady here [this with a courteous bow to Miss Switzer] wi' +their feeddles. That's what I will be callin' musick. An' +lairnin'! Lairnin' that will lay sacraleegious hands upon the Sacred +Word, an' tear-r-r it to bits. That like thing the Cher-r-rman +lairnin' is doin', and ye can ask Mr. Rhye yonder. An' other things +the Cher-r-rmans are doin' that keep us all from restin' quiet in +our beds. Let them come her-r-re to us if they will. Let them come +from all the countries of the ear-r-rth. We will share wi' them +what we haf, provided they will be behavin' themsel's and mindin' +their peeziness. But this man is sayin' somethin' more. He is +tellin' us how safe we are, an' that the great Republic south o' us +will be guar-r-rdin' us frae our enemies. I doubt it will be the +fox guar-r-rdin' the chicken frae the weasel. Now I'll ask this +gentleman what it is that has guar-r-rded these shores for the past +two hundred and fifty year-r-rs? I will tell him--the Br-r-ritish +Navy. What has kept the peace of Europe once an' again? The +Br-r-ritish Navy. Aye, what has protected America not once or twice +frae her enemies? The Br-r-ritish Navy, an' that same Br-r-ritish +Navy is gude enough fer me." + +The tumultuous din that followed the conclusion of the cantankerous +little Highlander's speech was beyond all words, but before the +chairman could get to his feet, through the uproar a voice strident +with passion was demanding a hearing. "Mr. Ernest Switzer has the +floor," said the chairman. + +The young man's face was white and his voice shaking when he began. +"Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: I stand here to claim the +fair play that you say is British for myself and for my race. I am +a Canadian citizen. I was born in America, but my blood is German. +As a Canadian citizen, as an American by birth, as a German by +blood, I have been insulted to-night, and I demand the right to +reply to the man who has insulted me. There are Canadians here to +guard their own honour; the Americans can be trusted to protect +themselves. Germany is not here to refute the slanders uttered +against her, but I claim the honour to speak for that great nation, +for she is a great nation. There is none greater. There is none +so great in the world to-day." The young man's voice rang out with +passionate conviction, his pale set face, his blue eyes flaming +with rage proclaimed the intensity of his emotion. Before his +flaming passion the audience was subdued into a silence tense and +profound. "What has Germany done for the world? this man asks. I +would like to ask in reply where he has lived for the last twenty- +five years, and if during those years he has read anything beyond +his local newspaper? What has Germany done for the world? Germany +has shown the way to the world, even to America, in every activity +of life, in industrial organisation, in scientific inquiry in the +laboratory and in the practical application of science to every-day +life. Where do your philosophers go for their training? To German +universities where they seek to understand the philosophy of the +immortal Emanuel Kant. Where in the world has social reform +reached its highest achievement? In Germany. Where do you go for +your models for municipal government? To Germany. Mention any +department of human enterprise to-day and in that department +Germany stands easily in the lead. This man asks what has kept +Europe at peace all these years, and suggests the British Navy, the +one constant menace to the peace of Europe and to the freedom of +the seas. No, if you ask who has kept the peace of Europe I will +tell you. The German Kaiser, Wilhelm II. To him and to the Empire +of which he is the glorious head Europe owes its peace and the +world its greatest blessings to-day." + +When Switzer sat down a half a dozen men were on their feet +demanding to be heard. Above the din a quiet, but penetrating +voice was distinguished. "Mr. Romayne has the floor," said the +Reverend Mr. Rhye, who himself was tingling with desire for +utterance. Mr. Romayne's appearance and voice suggested the +boredom of one who felt the whole thing to be rather a nuisance. + +"Ladies and Gentlemen," he began, "I must apologise for venturing +to speak at all, having so recently come to this country, though I +am glad to say that I have been received with such cordial kindness +that I do not feel myself a stranger." + +"You're all right, Jack," cried a voice. "You're right at home." + +"I am at home," said Jack, "and that is one thing that makes me +able to speak. Few of you can understand the feeling that comes to +one who, travelling six thousand miles away from the heart of the +Empire, finds himself still among his own folk and under the same +old flag. Nor can I express the immense satisfaction and pride +that come to me when I find here in this new world a virile young +nation offering a welcome to men of all nationalities, an equal +opportunity to make home and fortune for themselves, and find also +these various nationalities uniting in the one purpose of building +solid and secure an outpost of the Empire to which we all belong. +I rise chiefly to say two things. The first is that if Germany +continues in her present mind she will be at war with our country +within a very short time. The young man who has just sat down +assures us that Germany is a great country. Let us at once frankly +grant this fact, for indeed it is a fact. Whether she is as +wonderful or as great as she thinks herself to be may be doubted. +But it is of importance to know that the opinion stated here to- +night is the opinion held by the whole body of the German people +from the Kaiser to the lowest peasant in the Empire. The universal +conviction throughout that Empire is that not only is Germany the +greatest nation on earth, but that it has a divine mission to +confer her own peculiar quality of civilisation upon the other +nations of Europe, and indeed upon the whole world. We might not +quarrel with Germany for cherishing this pleasing opinion in regard +to herself, but when this opinion is wrought into a purpose to +dominate the whole world in order that this mission might be +accomplished the thing takes on a somewhat serious aspect. Let me +repeat, Germany is a great nation, marvellously organised in every +department of her life, agricultural, manufacturing, educational, +commercial. But to what intent? What is the purpose dominating +this marvellous organisation? The purpose, Ladies and Gentlemen, +is war. The supreme industry of the German nation is the +manufacturing of a mighty war machine. I challenge the gentleman +who has just spoken to deny either of these statements, that +Germany believes that she has a definite mission to lift up the +other nations of Europe to her own high level and that to fulfil +this mission it is necessary that she be in a position of control." +The speaker paused for a moment or two. "He cannot deny these +because he knows they are true. The second thing I wish to say is +that the Kaiser means war and is waiting only for the favourable +moment. I believe it is correct to say that for many years after +his accession to the throne he used his influence on the side of +peace, but I have every reason to believe that for some years past +he has cherished another purpose, the purpose of war." + +At this point Switzer sprang to his feet and cried, "I challenge +the truth of that statement. Modern European history proves it to +be false, and again and again the Kaiser has prevented war. So +much is this the case that the trustees of the only European fund +that recognises distinguished service in the interests of peace +bestowed upon the Kaiser the Nobel Prize." + +"That is quite true," replied Mr. Romayne. "But let me recall to +this young man's mind a few facts. In 1875 Bismarck was determined +to make war upon France. He was prevented by the united action of +England and Russia. Germany made the same attempt in '87 and '91. +In 1905 so definite was the threat of war that France avoided it +only by dismissing her war minister, Delcasse. Perhaps my young +friend remembers the Casablanca incident in 1908 where again the +Kaiser threatened France with war. Indeed, for the last twenty +years, even while he was doubtless anxious to maintain peace, he +has been rattling his sword in his scabbard and threatening war +against the various nations of Europe. In most of these cases even +when he wanted peace he bluffed with threats of war. Then came the +Agadir incident in 1911 when once more the Kaiser bluffed. But +Great Britain called his bluff that time and the great War Lord had +to back down with great loss of prestige not only with his own +people but with the whole of Europe. It hurt the Kaiser to think +that any nation in Europe should move in any direction without his +consent. Agadir taught him that he must quit bluffing or make up +his mind to fight." + +Again Switzer was upon his feet. "This is a slanderous falsehood," +he cried. "How does this man know?" + +"I happened to be there," was the quiet reply. + +"How do we know?" again cried Switzer. + +"Will you kindly repeat that remark?" said Mr. Romayne quietly. + +"I believe this statement," shouted Switzer, "to be a slanderous +falsehood." + +"If you accuse me of falsehood," said Romayne even more quietly, +"that is a matter of which we shall not discuss here, but later. +But these statements that I have made are history. All Germany +knows, all Europe knows, that at Agadir the Kaiser backed down. He +was not ready to fight, and he lost prestige by it. When Italy, +one of the Triple Alliance, went to war against Turkey without +consulting him, this lowered still further German prestige. In the +late Balkan War Germany was again humiliated. She backed the wrong +horse. Her protege and pupil in war, Turkey, was absolutely +beaten. These things convince me that Germany knows that her hope +of dominating Europe is rapidly waning, and she believes that this +hope can only be realised by war and, therefore, I repeat that the +Kaiser and his people are only waiting a favourable moment to +launch war upon Europe and more particularly upon the British +Empire, which, along with the great American democracy, stands +between her and the realisation of her dream." + +"The British Empire!" cried Switzer scornfully as Romayne took his +seat, "the British Empire! at the first stern blow this ramshackle +empire will fall to pieces. Then Great Britain will be forced to +surrender her robber hold upon these great free states which she +has stolen and which she now keeps in chains." (Cries of "Never!" +"Rot!" "Shut your trap!") Switzer sprang to his feet and, shaking +his fist in their faces, cried: "I know what I am saying. This +you will see before many months have passed." + +Again Romayne rose to his feet and waited till a silence fell upon +the audience. "Ladies and Gentlemen," he said solemnly, "this +German officer knows what he is talking about. That Germany within +a few months will make her supreme attempt to smash the British +Empire I believe is certain. I am equally certain that the result +of that attempt will not be what this gentleman anticipates and +desires." + +For some moments the silence remained unbroken. Then young +Monteith sprang to his feet and led the audience in a succession of +mad cheers that indicated the depth of passion to which they were +stirred. After the cheering had subsided Larry rose and in a +slightly querulous tone and with a humorous smile upon his face he +said: + +"Mr. Chairman, don't you think we are becoming unnecessarily +serious? And are there not certain things on which we all agree? +First that we are all Canadians, first, last and all the time. +Secondly, that we greatly respect and admire our American cousins +and we desire only better mutual acquaintance for our mutual good. +Third, that we are loyal to and immensely proud of our Empire, and +we mean to stick to it. And fourth, that Germany is a great +country and has done great things for the world. As to the +historical questions raised, these are not settled by discussion +but by reliable historic documents. As to the prophecies made, we +can accept or reject them as we choose. Personally I confess that +I am unable to get up any real interest in this German war menace. +I believe Germany has more sense, not to say proper Christian +feeling, than to plunge herself and the world into war. I move, +Mr. Chairman, that we pass to the next order of business." + +"Hear! Hear!" cried some. "Go on with the programme." + +"No! No!" said others. "Let's have it out." + +"Mr. Chairman," said Hec Ross, rising to his feet, "this thing is +better than any silly old programme, let's have it out." + +But the chairman, much against his inclination, for he was a +fighter, ruled otherwise. "The differences that separate us from +one another here to-night are not differences that can be settled +by argument. They are differences that are due partly to our +history and partly to the ideals which we cherish. We shall go on +with the programme." + +At first the people were in no mood for mere amusement. They had +been made to face for a brief moment the great and stern reality of +war. The words and more the manner of Jack Romayne had produced a +deep sense in their minds of the danger of a European conflagration, +and the ominous words of the young German spoken as from intimate +knowledge only served to deepen the impression made by Romayne. But +the feeling was transitory, and speedily the possibility of war was +dismissed as unthinkable. The bogey of a German war was familiar +and therefore losing its power to disturb them. So after two or +three musical numbers had been given the audience had settled back +into its normal state of mind which accepted peace as the natural +and permanent condition for the world. + +The entertainment would have come to a perfectly proper and +harmonious close had it not been for the unrestrained exuberance of +Sam's humorous qualities on the one hand and the complete absence +of sense of humour in Ernest Switzer on the other. The final +number on the programme, which was to be a series of humorous +character sketches, had been left entirely in Sam's hands and +consisted of a trilogy representing the characteristics as +popularly conceived of the French Canadian habitant, the humorous +Irishman and the obese Teuton. Sam's early association with the +vaudeville stage had given him a certain facility in the use of +stage properties and theatrical paraphernalia generally, and this +combined with a decided gift of mimicry enabled him to produce a +really humorous if somewhat broadly burlesqued reproduction of +these characters. In the presentation of his sketch Sam had +reserved to the close his representation of the obese Teuton. The +doings of this Teuton, while sending the audience into roars of +laughter, had quite a different effect upon Switzer, who after a +few moments of wrathful endurance made toward the rear of the +audience. + +Meantime the obese Teuton has appeared upon the stage in a famished +condition demanding vociferously and plaintively from the world at +large sausage. But no sausage is available. At this point a stray +dog wanders upon the stage. With a cry of delight the famished +Teuton seizes the unfortunate cur and joyously announcing that now +sausage he will have, forthwith disappears. Immediately from the +wings arise agonised canine howlings with which mingles the +crashing of machinery. Gradually the howlings die into choking +silence while the crash of the machinery proceeds for a few moments +longer. Thereupon reappears the Teuton, ecstatic and triumphant, +bearing with him a huge sausage, which he proceeds to devour with +mingled lamentations over his departed "hund" and raptures over its +metamorphosed condition. In the midst of this mingled lamentation +and rapture is heard in the distance upon a mouth organ band the +sound of the German national air. The Teuton is startled, drops +his sausage upon the stage and exclaiming "Der Kronprinz," hastily +beats a retreat. + +At the mention of this august name Switzer disappears from the rear +of the audience and makes his way to the back of the stage. In the +meantime, to the accompaniment of organs and drums, appears upon +the stage no less a personage than "der Kronprinz," to the +reproduction of whose features Sam's peculiar facial appearance +admirably lends itself. From this point the action proceeds with +increased rapidity. No sooner had "der Kronprinz," who is also in +a famished condition, appeared upon the stage than his eyes light +upon the sausage. With a cry of delight he seizes it and proceeds +ravenously to devour it. But at the first mouthful renewed +howlings arise. "Der Kronprinz," in a state of intense excitement, +drops his sausage and begins a wild search in the corners of the +stage and in the wings for the source of the uproar. The sausage +thus abandoned, aided by an invisible cord, wabbles off the stage +before the eyes of the wondering and delighted audience. Thereafter +"der Kronprinz" reappears with his "hund" under his arm and begins +an active and distracted search for his precious sausage. +Disappointed in his search for the sausage and rendered desperate by +his famished condition, he seizes the wretched cur and begins +gnawing at the tail and retires from the scene, accompanied by the +howls of the unhappy canine and the applauding shouts of the +audience. + +Meantime while Sam is engaged in executing a lightning change from +the role of "der Kronprinz" to that of the original obese Teuton, +Switzer beside himself with rage comes upon him at the precise +moment when he is engaged in tying up his shoe preparatory to +making his final entry upon the stage. The posture is irresistibly +inviting. The next instant the astonished audience beholds the +extraordinary spectacle of the obese Teuton under the impulse of +the irate Switzer's boot in rapid flight across the stage upon all +fours, bearing down with terrific speed upon the rear of the +unsuspecting chairman who, facing the audience and with a genial +smile upon his countenance, is engaged in applauding Sam's previous +performance. Making frantic but futile efforts to recover himself, +Sam plunges head on with resistless impact full upon the exact spot +where the legs of the parson effect a junction with the rest of his +person and carries that gentleman with him clear off the stage and +fairly upon the top of old McTavish, who at that moment is engaged +in conversation with little Miss Haight immediately behind him. +Immediately there is a terrific uproar, in which through the +delighted yells of the crowd, the crashing of the overturned +chairs, and the general confusion could be heard the shrieks of the +little spinster and weird Scotch oaths from McTavish. After the +noise had somewhat subsided and when the confusion had been reduced +to a semblance of order, McTavish was discovered with his hand upon +the collar of the dazed parson who in turn held the obese Teuton in +a firm and wrathful grip, at which once more the whole crowd rocked +with an unholy but uncontrollable joy. + +It was Larry who saved the situation by appearing upon the stage +and gravely announcing that this unfortunate catastrophe was due to +a sudden international upheaval which as usual in such cases had +come about in an absolutely unexpected manner and as a result of +misunderstandings and mistakes for which no one could be held +responsible. He proposed in the name of the audience votes of +thanks to those who had laboured so diligently to make the Dominion +Day celebration so great a success, especially to the ladies and +gentlemen who had served upon the various committees, to the +speakers of the evening, to those who had provided the entertainment, +and last but not least to the chairman who had presided with such +grace and dignity over the proceedings of the evening. The motion +was carried with tumultuous applause, and after the singing of "The +Maple Leaf" and the national anthem, the meeting came to a close. + +After the entertainment was over Larry and his mother slowly took +the trail homewards, declining many offers of a lift from their +friends in cars and carriages. It was the Harvest Moon. Upon the +folds of the rolling prairie, upon the round tops of the hills, +upon the broad valleys, and upon the far-away peaks in the west the +white light lay thick and soft like a mantle. Above the white- +mantled world the concave of the sky hung blue and deep and pricked +out with pale star points. About the world the night had thrown +her mystic jewelled robes of white and blue, making a holy shrine, +a very temple of peace for God and man. For some minutes they +walked together in silence, after they had bidden good-night to the +last of their friends. + +"What a world it is, Mother!" said Larry, gazing about him at the +beauty of the night. + +"Yes, but alas, alas, that God's own children should spoil all this +glory with hatred and strife! This very night in the unhappy +Balkan States men are killing each other. It is too sad and too +terrible to think of. Oh, if men would be content only to do +justly by each other." + +"Those people of the Balkan States are semi-barbarians," said +Larry, "and therefore war between them is to be expected; but I +cannot get myself to believe in the possibility of war between +Christians, civilised nations to-day. But, Mother, for the first +time in my life, listening to those two men, Romayne and Switzer, I +had a feeling that war might be possible. Switzer seemed so eager +for it, and so sure about it, didn't he? And Romayne, too, seemed +ready to fight. But then I always remember that military men and +military nations are for ever talking war." + +"That is quite true, my dear," said his mother. "I too find it +difficult to believe that war is possible in spite of what we have +heard to-night. Our Friends at Home do not believe that war is +imminent. They tell me that the feeling between Germany and +Britain is steadily improving." + +"And yet two years ago, Mother, in connection with the Agadir +incident war might have happened any minute." + +"That is true," replied his mother, "but every year of peace makes +war less likely. The Friends are working and praying for a better +understanding between these nations, and they are very confident +that these peace delegations that are exchanging visits are doing a +great deal for peace. Your Uncle Matthew, who has had a great deal +to do with them, is very hopeful that a few years of peace will +carry us past the danger point." + +"Well, I hope so, Mother. I loathe the very thought of war," said +Larry. "I think I am like you in this. I never did fight, you +know; as a boy I always got out of it. Do you know, Mother, I +think I would be afraid to fight." + +"I hope so," replied his mother. "Fighting is no work for man, but +for brute." + +"But you would not be afraid, Mother. I know you would stand up to +anything." + +"Oh, no, no," cried his mother. "I could stand up to very little. +After all, it is only God that makes strong to endure." + +"But it is not quite the question of enduring, it is not the +suffering, Mother. It is the killing. I don't believe I could +kill a man, and yet in the Bible they were told to kill." + +"But surely, Larry, we read our Bible somewhat differently these +days. Surely we have advanced since the days of Abraham. We do +not find our Lord and master commanding men to kill." + +"But, Mother, in these present wars should not men defend their +women and children from such outrages as we read about?" + +"When it comes to the question of defending women and children it +seems to me that the question is changed," said his mother. "As to +that I can never quite make up my mind, but generally speaking we +hold that it is the Cross, not the sword, that will save the world +from oppression and break the tyrant's power." + +"But after all, Mother," replied Larry, "it was not Smithfield that +saved England's freedom, but Naseby." + +"Perhaps both Naseby and Smithfield," said his mother. "I am not +very wise in these things." + +At the door of their house they came upon Nora sitting in the +moonlight. "Did you meet Ernest and Mr. Romayne?" she inquired. +"They've only gone five minutes or so. They walked down with us." + +"No, we did not meet them." + +"You must be tired after the wild excitement of the day, Mother," +said Nora. "I think you had better go at once to bed. As for me, +I am going for a swim." + +"That's bully; I'm with you," said Larry. + +In a few minutes they were dressed in their bathing suits, and, +wrapped up in their mackintosh coats, they strolled toward the +little lake. + +"Let's sit a few moments and take in this wonderful night," said +Nora. "Larry, I want to talk to you about what we heard to-night +from those two men. They made me feel that war was not only +possible but near." + +"It did not impress me in the very least," said Larry. "They +talked as military men always talk. They've got the war bug. +These men have both held commissions in their respective armies. +Romayne, of course, has seen war, and they look at everything from +the military point of view." + +As he was speaking there came across the end of the lake the sound +of voices. Over the water the still air carried the words +distinctly to their ears. + +"Explain what?" It was Switzer's voice they heard, loud and +truculent. + +"Just what you meant by the words 'slanderous falsehood' which you +used to-night," replied a voice which they recognised to be Jack +Romayne's. + +"I meant just what I said." + +"Did you mean to impugn my veracity, because--" + +"Because what?" + +"Because if you did I should have to slap your face just now." + +"Mein Gott! You--!" + +"Not so loud," said Romayne quietly, "unless you prefer an audience." + +"You schlap my face!" cried the German, in his rage losing perfect +control of his accent. "Ach, if you were only in my country, we +could settle this in the only way." + +"Perhaps you will answer my question." Romayne's voice was low and +clear and very hard. "Did you mean to call me a liar? Yes or no." + +"A liar," replied the German, speaking more quietly. "No, it is +not a question of veracity. It is a question of historical +accuracy." + +"Oh, very well. That's all." + +"No, it is not all," exclaimed the German. "My God, that I should +have to take insult from you! In this country of barbarians there +is no way of satisfaction except by the beastly, the savage method +of fists, but some day we will show you schwein of England--" + +"Stop!" Romayne's voice came across the water with a sharp ring +like the tap of a hammer on steel. "You cannot use your hands, I +suppose? That saves you, but if you say any such words again in +regard to England or Englishmen, I shall have to punish you." + +"Punish me!" shouted the German. "Gott in Himmel, that I must bear +this!" + +"They are going to fight," said Nora in an awed and horrified +voice. "Oh, Larry, do go over." + +"He-l-l-o," cried Larry across the water. "That you, Switzer? Who +is that with you? Come along around here, won't you?" + +There was a silence of some moments and then Romayne's voice came +quietly across the water. "That you, Gwynne? Rather late to come +around, I think. I am off for home. Well, Switzer, that's all, I +think, just now. I'll say good-night." There was no reply from +Switzer. + +"You won't come then?" called Larry. "Well, goodnight, both of +you." + +"Good-night, good-night," came from both men. + +"Do you think they will fight?" said Nora. + +"No, I think not. There's Switzer riding off now. What fools they +are." + +"And Jack Romayne is so quiet and gentlemanly," said Nora. + +"Quiet, yes, and gentlemanly, yes too. But I guess he'd be what +Sam calls a 'bad actor' in a fight. Oh, these men make me tired +who can't have a difference of opinion but they must think of +fighting." + +"Oh, Larry, I don't understand you a bit," cried Nora. "Of course +they want to fight when they get full of rage. I would myself." + +"I believe you," said Larry. "You are a real Irish terrier. You +are like father. I am a Quaker, or perhaps there's another word +for it. I only hope I shall never be called on to prove just what +I am. Come on, let's go in." + +For a half hour they swam leisurely to and fro in the moonlit +water. But before they parted for the night Nora returned to the +subject which they had been discussing. + +"Larry, I don't believe you are a coward. I could not believe that +of you," she said passionately; "I think I would rather die." + +"Well, don't believe it then. I hope to God I am not, but then one +can never tell. I cannot see myself hitting a man on the bare +face, and as for killing a fellow being, I would much rather die +myself. Is that being a coward?" + +"But if that man," breathed Nora hurriedly, for the household were +asleep, "if that man mad with lust and rage were about to injure +your mother or your sisters--" + +"Ah," said Larry, drawing in his breath quickly, "that would be +different, eh?" + +"Good-night, you dear goose," said his sister, kissing him quickly. +"I am not afraid for you." + + + +CHAPTER XII + +MEN AND A MINE + + +It was early in July that Mr. Gwynne met his family with a +proposition which had been elaborated by Ernest Switzer to form a +company for the working of Nora's mine. With characteristic energy +and thoroughness Switzer had studied the proposition from every +point of view, and the results of his study he had set down in a +document which Mr. Gwynne laid before his wife and children for +consideration. It appeared that the mine itself had been +investigated by expert friends of Switzer's from the Lethbridge and +Crows' Nest mines. The reports of these experts were favourable to +a degree unusual with practical mining men, both as to the quality +and quantity of coal and as to the cost of operation. The quality +was assured by the fact that the ranchers in the neighbourhood for +years had been using the coal in their own homes. In addition to +this Switzer had secured a report from the Canadian Pacific Railway +engineers showing that the coal possessed high steaming qualities. +And as to quantity, the seam could be measured where the creek cut +through, showing enough coal in sight to promise a sufficient +supply to warrant operation for years to come. In brief, the +report submitted by the young German was that there was every +ground for believing that a paying mine, possibly a great mine, +could be developed from the property on Mr. Gwynne's land. In +regard to the market, there was of course no doubt. Every ton of +coal produced could be sold at the mine mouth without difficulty. +There remained only the question of finance to face. This also +Switzer had considered, and the result of his consideration was +before them in a detailed scheme. By this scheme a local company +was to be organised with a capitalisation of $500,000, which would +be sufficient to begin with. Of this amount $200,000 should be +assigned to the treasury, the remaining $300,000 disposed of as +follows: to Mr. Gwynne, as owner of the mine, should be allotted +$151,000 stock, thus giving him control; the remaining $149,000 +stock should be placed locally. The proposition contained an offer +from Switzer to organise the company and to place the stock, in +consideration for which service he asked a block of stock such as +the directors should agree upon, and further that he should be +secretary of the company for a term of five years at a salary of +$2,000 per annum, which should be a first charge upon the returns +from the mine. + +"Ernest insists on being secretary?" said Nora. + +"Yes, naturally. His interests are all here. He insists also that +I be president." + +"And why, Dad?" enquired Nora. + +"Well," said Mr. Gwynne, with a slight laugh, "he frankly says he +would like to be associated with me in this business. Of course, +he said some nice things about me which I need not repeat." + +"Oh pshaw!" exclaimed Nora, patting him on the shoulder, "I thought +you were a lot smarter man than that. Can't you see why he wants +to be associated with you? Surely you don't need me to tell you." + +"Nora dear, hush," said her mother. + +With an imploring look at her sister, Kathleen left the room. + +"Indeed, Mother, I think it is no time to hush. I will tell you, +Dad, why he wants to be associated with you in this coal mine +business. Ernest Switzer wants our Kathleen. Mother knows it. We +all know it." + +Her father gazed at her in astonishment. + +"Surely this is quite unwarranted, Nora," he said. "I cannot allow +a matter of this kind to be dragged into a matter of business." + +"How would it do to take a few days to turn it over in our minds?" +said his wife. "We must not forget, dear," she continued, a note +of grave anxiety in her voice, "that if we accept this proposition +it will mean a complete change in our family life." + +"Family life, Mother," said Mr. Gwynne with some impatience. "You +don't mean--" + +"I mean, my dear," replied the mother, "that we shall no longer be +ranchers, but shall become coal miners. Let us think it over and +perhaps you might consult with some of our neighbours, say with Mr. +Waring-Gaunt." + +"Surely, surely," replied her husband. "Your advice is wise, as +always. I shall just step over to Mr. Waring-Gaunt's immediately." + +After Mr. Gwynne's departure, the others sat silent for some +moments, their minds occupied with the question raised so abruptly +by Nora. + +"You may as well face it, Mother," said the girl. "Indeed, you +must face it, and right now. If this Company goes on with Ernest +as secretary, it means that he will necessarily be thrown into +closer relationship with our family. This will help his business +with Kathleen. This is what he means. Do you wish to help it on?" + +The mother sat silent, her face showing deep distress. "Nora +dear," at length she said, "this matter is really not in our hands. +Surely you can see that. I can't discuss it with you." And so +saying she left the room. + +"Now, Nora," said Larry severely, "you are not to worry Mother. +And besides you can't play Providence in this way. You must +confess that you have a dreadful habit of trying to run things. +I believe you would have a go at running the universe." + +"Run things?" cried Nora. "Why not? There is altogether too much +of letting things slide in this family. It is all very well to +trust to Providence. Providence made the trees grow in the woods, +but this house never would have been here if Mr. Sleighter had not +got on to the job. Now I am going to ask you a straight question. +Do you want Ernest Switzer to have Kathleen?" + +"Well, he's a decent sort and a clever fellow," began Larry. + +"Now, Larry, you may as well cut that 'decent sort,' 'clever fellow' +stuff right out. I want to know your mind. Would you like to see +Ernest Switzer have Kathleen, or not?" + +"Would you?" retorted her brother. + +"No. I would not," emphatically said Nora. + +"Why not?" + +"To tell the truth, ever since that concert night I feel I can't +trust him. He is different from us. He is no real Canadian. He +is a German." + +"Well, Nora, you amaze me," said Larry. "What supreme nonsense you +are talking! You have got that stuff of Romayne's into your mind. +The war bug has bitten you too. For Heaven's sake be reasonable. +If you object to Ernest because of his race, I am ashamed of you +and have no sympathy with you." + +"Not because of his race," said Nora, "though, Larry, let me tell +you he hates Britain. I was close to him that night, and hate +looked out of his eyes. But let that pass. I have seen Ernest +with 'his women' as he calls them, and, Larry, I can't bear to +think of our Kathleen being treated as he treats his mother and +sister." + +"Now, Nora, let us be reasonable. Let us look at this fairly," +began Larry. + +"Oh, Larry! stop or I shall be biting the furniture next. When you +assume that judicial air of yours I want to swear. Answer me. Do +you want him to marry Kathleen? Yes or no." + +"Well, as I was about to say--" + +"Larry, will you answer yes or no?" + +"Well, no, then," said Larry. + +"Thank God!" cried Nora, rushing at him and shaking him vigorously. +"You wretch! Why did you keep me in suspense? How I wish that +English stick would get a move on!" + +"English stick? Whom do you mean?" + +"You're as stupid as the rest, Larry. Whom should I mean? Jack +Romayne, of course. There's a man for you. I just wish he'd +waggle his finger at me! But he won't do things. He just +'glowers' at her, as old McTavish would say, with those deep eyes +of his, and sets his jaw like a wolf trap, and waits. Oh, men are +so stupid with women!" + +"Indeed?" said Larry. "And how exactly?" + +"Why doesn't he just make her love him, master her, swing her off +her feet?" said Nora. + +"Like Switzer, eh? The cave man idea?" + +"No, no. Surely you see the difference?" + +"Pity my ignorance and elucidate the mystery." + +"Mystery? Nonsense. It is quite simple. It is a mere matter of +emphasis." + +"Oh, I see," said Larry, "or at least I don't see. But credit me +with the earnest and humble desire to understand." + +"Well," said his sister, "the one--" + +"Which one?" + +"Switzer. He is mad to possess her for his very own. He would +carry her off against her will. He'd bully her to death." + +"Ah, you would like that?" + +"Not I. Let him try it on. The other, Romayne, is mad to have her +too. He would give her his very soul. But he sticks there waiting +till she comes and flings herself into his arms." + +"You prefer that, eh?" + +"Oh, that makes me tired!" said Nora in a tone of disgust. + +"Well, I give it up," said Larry hopelessly. "What do you want?" + +"I want both. My man must want me more than he wants Heaven +itself, and he must give me all he has but honour. Such a man +would be my slave! And such a man--oh, I'd just love to be bullied +by him." + +For some moments Larry stood looking into the glowing black eyes, +then said quietly, "May God send you such a man, little sister, or +none at all." + +In a few weeks the Alberta Coal Mining and Development Company was +an established fact. Mr. Waring-Gaunt approved of it and showed +his confidence in the scheme by offering to take a large block of +stock and persuade his friends to invest as well. He also agreed +that it was important to the success of the scheme both that Mr. +Gwynne should be the president of the company and that young +Switzer should be its secretary. Mr. Gwynne's earnest request that +he should become the treasurer of the company Mr. Waring-Gaunt felt +constrained in the meantime to decline. He already had too many +irons in the fire. But he was willing to become a director and to +aid the scheme in any way possible. Before the end of the month +such was the energy displayed by the new secretary of the company +in the disposing of the stock it was announced that only a small +block of about $25,000 remained unsold. A part of this Mr. Waring- +Gaunt urged his brother-in-law to secure. + +"Got twenty thousand myself, you know--looks to me like a sound +proposition--think you ought to go in--what do you say, eh, what?" + +"Very well; get ten or fifteen thousand for me," said his brother- +in-law. + +Within two days Mr. Waring-Gaunt found that the stock had all been +disposed of. "Energetic chap, that young Switzer,--got all the +stock placed--none left, so he told me." + +"Did you tell him the stock was for me?" enquired Romayne. + +"Of course, why not?" + +"Probably that accounts for it. He would not be especially anxious +to have me in." + +"What do you say? Nothing in that, I fancy. But I must see about +that, what?" + +"Oh, let it go," said Romayne. + +"Gwynne was after me again to take the treasurership," said Waring- +Gaunt, "but I am busy with so many things--treasurership very +hampering--demands close attention--that sort of thing, eh, what?" + +"Personally I wish you would take it," said Romayne. "You would be +able to protect your own money and the investments of your friends. +Besides, I understand the manager is to be a German, which, with a +German secretary, is too much German for my idea." + +"Oh, you don't like Switzer, eh? Natural, I suppose. Don't like +him myself; bounder sort of chap--but avoid prejudice, my boy, eh, +what? German--that sort of thing--don't do in this country, eh? +English, Scotch, Irish, French, Galician, Swede, German--all sound +Canadians--melting pot idea, eh, what?" + +"I am getting that idea, too," said his brother-in-law. "Sybil has +been rubbing it into me. I believe it is right enough. But apart +altogether from that, frankly I do not like that chap; I don't +trust him. I fancy I know a gentleman when I see him." + +"All right, all right, my boy, gentleman idea quite right too--but +new country, new standards--'Old Family' idea played out, don't you +know. Burke's Peerage not known here--every mug on its own bottom-- +rather touchy Canadians are about that sort of thing--democracy +stuff and all that you know. Not too bad either, eh, what? for a +chap who has got the stuff in him--architect of his fortune-- +founder of his own family and that sort of thing, don't you know. +Not too bad, eh, what?" + +"I quite agree," cried Jack, "at least with most of it. But all +the same I hope you will take the treasurership. Not only will +you protect your own and your friends' investments, but you will +protect the interests of the Gwynnes. The father apparently is no +business man, the son is to be away; anything might happen. I +would hate to see them lose out. You understand?" + +His brother-in-law turned his eyes upon him, gazed at him steadily +for a few moments, then taking his hand, shook it warmly, +exclaiming, "Perfectly, old chap, perfectly--good sort, Gwynne-- +good family. Girl of the finest--hope you put it off, old boy. +Madame has put me on, you know, eh, what? Jolly good thing." + +"Now what the deuce do you mean?" said Romayne angrily. + +"All right--don't wish to intrude, don't you know. Fine girl +though--quite the finest thing I've seen--could go anywhere." + +His brother-in-law's face flushed fiery red. "Now look here, Tom," +he said angrily, "don't be an ass. Of course I know what you mean +but as the boys say here, 'Nothing doing!'" + +"What? You mean it? Nothing doing? A fine girl like that--sweet +girl--good clean stock--wonderful mother--would make a wife any man +would be proud of--the real thing, you know, the real thing--I have +known her these eight years--watched her grow up--rare courage-- +pure soul. Nothing doing? My God, man, have you eyes?" It was +not often that Tom Waring-Gaunt allowed himself the luxury of +passion, but this seemed to him to be an occasion in which he might +indulge himself. Romayne stood listening to him with his face +turned away, looking out of the window. "Don't you hear me, Jack?" +said Waring-Gaunt. "Do you mean there's nothing in it, or have you +burned out your heart with those fool women of London and Paris?" + +Swiftly his brother-in-law turned to him. "No, Tom, but I almost +wish to God I had. No, I won't say that; rather do I thank God +that I know now what it is to love a woman. I am not going to lie +to you any longer, old chap. To love a sweet, pure woman, sweet +and pure as the flowers out there, to love her with every bit of my +heart, with every fibre of my soul, that is the finest thing that +can come to a man. I have treated women lightly in my time, Tom. +I have made them love me, taken what they have had to give, and +left them without a thought. But if any of them have suffered +through me, and if they could know what I am getting now, they +would pity me and say I had got enough to pay me out. To think +that I should ever hear myself saying that to another man, I who +have made love to women and laughed at them and laughed at the poor +weak devils who fell in love with women. Do you get me? I am +telling you this and yet I feel no shame, no humiliation! +Humiliation, great heaven! I am proud to say that I love this girl. +From the minute I saw her up there in the woods I have loved her. +I have cursed myself for loving her. I have called myself fool, +idiot, but I cannot help it. I love her. It is hell to me or +heaven, which you like. It's both." He was actually trembling, +his voice hoarse and shaking. + +Amazement, then pity, finally delight, succeeded each other in +rapid succession across the face of his brother-in-law as he +listened. "My dear chap, my dear chap," he said when Romayne had +finished. "Awfully glad, you know--delighted. But why the howl? +The girl is there--go in and get her, by Jove. Why not, eh, what?" + +"It's no use, I tell you," said Romayne. "That damned German has +got her. I have seen them together too often. I have seen in her +eyes the look that women get when they are ready to give themselves +body and soul to a man. She loves that man. She loves him, I tell +you. She has known him for years. I have come too late to have a +chance. Too late, my God, too late!" He pulled himself up with +an effort, then with a laugh said, "Do you recognise me, Tom? I +confess I do not recognise myself. Well, that's out. Let it go. +That's the last you will get from me. But, Tom, this is more than +I can stand. I must quit this country, and I want you to make it +easy for me to go. We'll get up some yarn for Sibyl. You'll help +me out, old man? God knows I need help in this." + +"Rot, beastly rot. Give her up to that German heel-clicking +bounder--rather not. Buck up, old man--give the girl a chance +anyway--play the game out, eh, what? Oh, by the way, I have made +up my mind to take that treasurership--beastly nuisance, eh? +Goin'? Where?" + +"Off with the dogs for a run somewhere." + +"No, take the car--too beastly hot for riding, don't you know. +Take my car. Or, I say, let's go up to the mine. Must get to know +more about the beastly old thing, eh, what? We'll take the guns +and Sweeper--we'll be sure to see some birds and get the evening +shoot coming back. But, last word, my boy, give the girl a chance +to say no. Think of it, a German, good Lord! You go and get the +car ready. We'll get Sybil to drive while we shoot." + +Tom Waring-Gaunt found his great, warm, simple heart overflowing +with delight at the tremendous news that had come to him. It was +more than his nature could bear that he should keep this from his +wife. He found her immersed in her domestic duties and adamant +against his persuasion to drive them to the mine. + +"A shoot," she cried, "I'd love to. But, Tom, you forget I am a +rancher's wife, and you know, or at least you don't know, what that +means. Run along and play with Jack. Some one must work. No, +don't tempt me. I have my programme all laid out. I especially +prayed this morning for grace to resist the lure of the outside +this day. 'Get thee behind me--' What? I am listening, but I +shouldn't be. What do you say? Tom, it cannot be!" She sat down +weakly in a convenient chair and listened to her husband while he +retailed her brother's great secret. + +"And so, my dear, we are going to begin a big campaign--begin to- +day--take the girls off with us for a shoot--what do you say, eh?" + +"Why, certainly, Tom. Give me half an hour to get Martha fairly on +the rails, and I am with you. We'll take those dear girls along. +Oh, it is perfectly splendid. Now let me go; that will do, you +foolish boy. Oh, yes, how lovely. Trust me to back you up. What? +Don't spoil things. Well, I like that. Didn't I land you? That +was 'some job,' as dear Nora would say. You listen to me, Tom. +You had better keep in the background. Finesse is not your forte. +Better leave these things to me. Hurry up now. Oh, I am so +excited." + +Few women can resist an appeal for help from a husband. The +acknowledgment of the need of help on the part of the dominating +partner is in itself the most subtle flattery and almost always +irresistible. No woman can resist the opportunity to join in that +most fascinating of all sport--man-hunting. And when the man runs +clear into the open wildly seeking not escape from but an opening +into the net, this only adds a hazard and a consequent zest to the +sport. Her husband's disclosures had aroused in Sybil Waring-Gaunt +not so much her sporting instincts, the affair went deeper far than +that with her. Beyond anything else in life she desired at that +time to bring together the two beings whom, next to her husband, +she loved best in the world. From the day that her brother had +arrived in the country she had desired this, and more or less +aggressively had tried to assist Providence in the ordering of +events. But in Kathleen, with all her affection and all her sweet +simplicity, there was a certain shy reserve that prevented +confidences in the matter of her heart affairs. + +"How far has the German got with her? That is what I would like to +know," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt to herself as she hastily prepared +for the motor ride. "There's no doubt about him. Every one can +see how he stands, and he has such a masterful way with him that it +makes one think that everything is settled. If it is there is no +chance for Jack, for she is not the changing kind." Meantime she +would hope for the best and play the game as best she could. + +"Would you mind running into the Gwynnes' as we pass, Tom?" said +his wife as they settled themselves in the car. "I have a message +for Nora." + +"Righto!" said her husband, throwing his wife a look which she +refused utterly to notice. "But remember you must not be long. +We cannot lose the evening shoot, eh, what?" + +"Oh, just a moment will do," said his wife. + +At the door Nora greeted them. "Oh, you lucky people--guns and a +dog, and a day like this," she cried. + +"Come along--lots of room--take my gun," said Mr. Waring-Gaunt. + +"Don't tempt me, or I shall come." + +"Tell us what is your weakness, Miss Nora," said Jack. "How can we +get you to come?" + +"My weakness?" cried the girl eagerly, "you all are, and especially +your dear Sweeper dog there." She put her arms around the neck of +the beautiful setter, who was frantically struggling to get out to +her. + +"Sweeper, lucky dog, eh, Jack, what?" said Mr. Waring-Gaunt, with a +warm smile of admiration at the wholesome, sun-browned face. "Come +along, Miss Nora--back in a short time, eh, what?" + +"Short time?" said Nora. "Not if I go. Not till we can't see the +birds." + +"Can't you come, Nora?" said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, "I want to talk to +you, and we'll drive to-day and let the men shoot. Where is +Kathleen? Is she busy?" + +"Busy? We are all positively overwhelmed with work. But, oh, do +go away, or I shall certainly run from it all." + +"I am going in to get your mother to send you both out. Have you +had a gun this fall? I don't believe you have," said Mrs. Waring- +Gaunt. + +"Not once. Yes, once. I had a chance at a hawk that was paying +too much attention to our chickens. No, don't go in, Mrs. Waring- +Gaunt, I beg of you. Well, go, then; I have fallen shamelessly. +If you can get Kathleen, I am on too." + +In a few moments Mrs. Waring-Gaunt returned with Kathleen and her +mother. "Your mother says, Nora, that she does not need you a bit, +and she insists on your coming, both of you. So be quick." + +"Oh, Mother," cried the girl in great excitement. "You cannot +possibly get along without us. There's the tea for all those men." + +"Nonsense, Nora, run along. I can do quite well without you. +Larry is coming in early and he will help. Run along, both of +you." + +"But there isn't room for us all," said Kathleen. + +"Room? Heaps," said Mr. Waring-Gaunt. "Climb in here beside me, +Miss Nora." + +"Oh, it will be great," said Nora. "Can you really get along, +Mother?" + +"Nonsense," said the mother. "You think far too much of yourself. +Get your hat." + +"Hat; who wants a hat?" cried the girl, getting in beside Mr. +Waring-Gaunt. "Oh, this is more than I had ever dreamed, and I +feel so wicked!" + +"All the better, eh, what?" + +"Here, Kathleen," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, "here between us." + +"I am so afraid I shall crowd you," said the girl, her face showing +a slight flush. + +"Not a bit, my dear; the seat is quite roomy. There, are you +comfortable? All right, Tom. Good-bye, Mrs. Gwynne. So good of +you to let the girls come." + +In high spirits they set off, waving their farewell to the mother +who stood watching till they had swung out of the lane and on to +the main trail. + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +A DAY IN SEPTEMBER + + +A September day in Alberta. There is no other day to be compared +to it in any other month or in any other land. Other lands have +their September days, and Alberta has days in other months, but +the combination of September day in Alberta is sui generis. The +foothill country with plain, and hill, and valley, and mighty +mountain, laced with stream, and river, and lake; the over-arching +sheet of blue with cloud shapes wandering and wistful, the kindly +sun pouring its genial sheen of yellow and gold over the face of +the earth below, purple in the mountains and gold and pearly grey, +and all swimming in air blown through the mountain gorges and over +forests of pine, tingling with ozone and reaching the heart and +going to the head like new wine--these things go with a September +day in Alberta. + +And like new wine the air seemed to Jack Romayne as the Packard +like a swallow skimmed along the undulating prairie trail, smooth, +resilient, of all the roads in the world for motor cars the best. +For that day at least and in that motor car life seemed good to +Jack Romayne. Not many such days would be his, and he meant to +take all it gave regardless of cost. His sister's proposal to call +at the Gwynnes' house he would have rejected could he have found a +reasonable excuse. The invitation to the Gwynne girls to accompany +them on their shoot he resented also, and still more deeply he +resented the arrangement of the party that set Kathleen next to +him, a close fit in the back seat of the car. But at the first +feeling of her warm soft body wedged closely against him, all +emotions fled except one of pulsating joy. And this, with the air +rushing at them from the western mountains, wrought in him the +reckless resolve to take what the gods offered no matter what might +follow. As he listened to the chatter about him he yielded to the +intoxication of his love for this fair slim girl pressing soft +against his arm and shoulder. He allowed his fancy to play with +surmises as to what would happen should he turn to her and say, +"Dear girl, do you know how fair you are, how entrancingly lovely? +Do you know I am madly in love with you, and that I can hardly +refrain from putting this arm, against which you so quietly lean +your warm soft body, about you?" He looked boldly at the red +curves of her lips and allowed himself to riot in the imagination +of how deliciously they would yield to his pressed against them. +"My God!" he cried aloud, "to think of it." + +The two ladies turned their astonished eyes upon him. "What is it, +Jack? Wait, Tom. Have you lost something?" + +"Yes, that is, I never had it. No, go on, Tom, it cannot be helped +now. Go on, please do. What a day it is!" he continued. "'What a +time we are having,' as Miss Nora would say." + +"Yes, what a time!" exclaimed Nora, turning her face toward them. +"Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, I think I must tell you that your husband is +making love to me so that I am quite losing my head." + +"Poor things," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "How could either of you +help it?" + +"Why is it that all the nice men are married?" inquired Nora. + +"I beg your pardon, Miss Nora," said Jack in a pained voice. + +"I mean--why--I'm afraid I can't fix that up, can I?" she said, +appealing to Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. + +"Certainly you can. What you really mean is, why do all married +men become so nice?" said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. + +"Oh, thank you, the answer is so obvious. Do you know, I feel wild +to-day." + +"And so do I," replied Kathleen, suddenly waking to life. "It is +the wonderful air, or the motor, perhaps." + +"Me, too," exclaimed Jack Romayne, looking straight at her, "only +with me it is not the air, nor the motor." + +"What then!" said Kathleen with a swift, shy look at him. + +"'The heart knoweth its own bitterness and a stranger intermeddleth +not with its joy.'" + +"That's the Bible, I know," said Kathleen, "and it really means +'mind your own business.'" + +"No, no, not that exactly," protested Jack, "rather that there are +things in the heart too deep if not for tears most certainly for +words. You can guess what I mean, Miss Kathleen," said Jack, +trying to get her eyes. + +"Oh, yes," said the girl, "there are things that we cannot trust to +words, no, not for all the world." + +"I know what you are thinking of," replied Jack. "Let me guess." + +"No, no, you must not, indeed," she replied quickly. "Look, isn't +that the mine? What a crowd of people! Do look." + +Out in the valley before them they could see a procession of teams +and men weaving rhythmic figures about what was discovered to be +upon a nearer view a roadway which was being constructed to cross +a little coolee so as to give access to the black hole on the +hillside beyond which was the coal mine. In the noise and bustle +of the work the motor came to a stop unobserved behind a long +wooden structure which Nora diagnosed as the "grub shack." + +"In your English speech, Mr. Romayne, the dining room of the camp. +He is certainly a hustler," exclaimed Nora, gazing upon the scene +before them. + +"Who?" inquired Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. + +"Ernest Switzer," said Nora, unable to keep the grudge out of her +voice. "It is only a week since I was up here and during that time +he has actually made this village, the streets, the sidewalks--and +if that is not actually a system of water pipes." + +"Some hustler, as you say, Miss Nora, eh, what?" said Tom. + +"Wonderful," replied Nora; "he is wonderful." + +Jack glanced at the girl beside him. It seemed to him that it +needed no mind-reader to interpret the look of pride, yes and of +love, in the wonderful blue-grey eyes. Sick as from a heavy blow +he turned away from her; the flicker of hope that his brother-in- +law's words had kindled in his heart died out and left him cold. +He was too late; why try to deceive himself any longer? The only +thing to do was to pull out and leave this place where every day +brought him intolerable pain. But today he would get all he could, +to-day he would love her and win such poor scraps as he could from +her eyes, her smiles, her words. + +"Glorious view that," he said, touching her arm and sweeping his +hand toward the mountains. + +She started at his touch, a faint colour coming into her face. +"How wonderful!" she breathed. "I love them. They bring me my +best thoughts." + +Before he could reply there came from behind the grub shack a +torrent of abusive speech florid with profane language and other +adornment and in a voice thick with rage. + +"That's him," said Nora. "Some one is getting it." The satisfaction +in her voice and look were in sharp contrast to the look of dismay +and shame that covered the burning face of her sister. From English +the voice passed into German, apparently no less vigorous or +threatening. "That's better," said Nora with a wicked glance at +Romayne. "You see he is talking to some one of his own people. +They understand that. There are a lot of Germans from the +Settlement, Freiberg, you know." + +As she spoke Switzer emerged from behind the shack, driving before +him a cringing creature evidently in abject terror of him. "Get +back to your gang and carry out your orders, or you will get your +time." He caught sight of the car and stopped abruptly, and, +waving his hand imperiously to the workman, strode up to the party, +followed by a mild-looking man in spectacles. + +"Came to see how you are getting on, Switzer, eh, what?" said Tom. + +"Getting on," he replied in a loud voice, raising his hat in +salutation. "How can one get on with a lot of stupid fools who +cannot carry out instructions and dare to substitute their own +ideas for commands. They need discipline. If I had my way they +would get it, too. But in this country there is no such thing as +discipline." He made no attempt to apologise for his outrageous +outburst, was probably conscious of no need of apology. + +"This is your foreman, I think?" said Nora, who alone of the party +seemed to be able to deal with the situation. + +"Oh, yes, Mr. Steinberg," said Switzer, presenting the spectacled +man. + +"You are too busy to show us anything this afternoon?" said Nora +sweetly. + +"Yes, much too busy," said Switzer, gruffly. "I have no time for +anything but work these days." + +"You cannot come along for a little shoot?" she said, innocently. +Nora was evidently enjoying herself. + +"Shoot!" cried Switzer in a kind of contemptuous fury. "Shoot, +with these dogs, these cattle, tramping around here when they need +some one every minute to drive them. Shoot! No, no. I am not a +gentleman of leisure." + +The distress upon Kathleen's face was painfully apparent. Jack was +in no hurry to bring relief. Like Nora he was enjoying himself as +well. It was Tom who brought about the diversion. + +"Well, we must go on, Switzer. Coming over to see you one of these +days and go over the plant. Treasurer's got to know something +about it, eh, what?" + +Switzer started and looked at him in surprise. "Treasurer, who? +Are you to be treasurer of the company? Who says so? Mr. Gwynne +did not ask--did not tell me about it." + +"Ah, sorry--premature announcement, eh?" said Tom. "Well, good- +bye. All set." + +The Packard gave forth sundry growls and snorts and glided away +down the trail. + +Nora was much excited. "What's this about the treasurership?" she +demanded. "Are you really to be treasurer, Mr. Waring-Gaunt? I am +awfully glad. You know this whole mine was getting terribly +Switzery. Isn't he awful? He just terrifies me. I know he will +undertake to run me one of these days." + +"Then trouble, eh, what?" said Waring-Gaunt, pleasantly. + +After a short run the motor pulled up at a wheat field in which the +shocks were still standing and which lay contiguous to a poplar +bluff. + +"Good chicken country, eh?" said Tom, slipping out of the car +quietly. "Nora, you come with me. Quiet now. Off to the left, +eh, what? You handle Sweeper, Jack." + +"I'll drive the car," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "Go on with Jack, +Kathleen." + +"Come on, Miss Kathleen, you take the gun, and I'll look after the +dog. Let me have the whistle, Tom." + +They had not gone ten yards from the car when the setter stood +rigid on point. "Steady, old boy," said Jack. "Move up quickly, +Miss Kathleen. Is your gun ready? Sure it's off safe?" + +"All right," said the girl, walking steadily on the dog. + +Bang! Bang! went Nora's gun. Two birds soared safely aloft. Bang! +Bang! went Kathleen's gun. "Double, by jove! Steady, Sweeper!" +Again the dog stood on point. Swiftly Jack loaded the gun. "Here +you are, Miss Kathleen. You will get another," he said. "There +are more here." As he spoke a bird flew up at his right. Bang! +went Kathleen's gun. "Another, good work." Bang! went Nora's gun +to the left. "Look out, here he comes," cried Jack, as Nora's bird +came careening across their front. It was a long shot. Once more +Kathleen fired. The bird tumbled in the air and fell with a thump +right at their feet. + +Sweeper, released from his point, went bounding joyfully over the +stubble. Jack rushed up toward the girl, and taking her hand in +both of his, shook it warmly. "Oh, splendid, partner, splendid, +great shooting!" + +"Oh, it was easy. Sweeper had them fast," said Kathleen. "And +that last shot was just awfully good luck." + +"Good luck! Good Lord! it was anything but luck. It was great +shooting. Well, come along. Oh, we're going to have a glorious +day, aren't we, partner?" And catching hold of her arm, he gave +her a friendly little shake. + +"Yes," she cried, responding frankly to his mood, "we will. Let's +have a good day." + +"Where did you learn to shoot?" inquired Jack. + +"Nora and I have always carried guns in the season," replied +Kathleen, "even when we were going to school. You see, Larry hates +shooting. We loved it and at times were glad to get them--the +birds, I mean. We did not do it just for sport." + +"Can your sister shoot as well as you?" + +"Hardly, I think. She pulls too quickly, you see, but when she +steadies down she will shoot better than I." + +"You are a wonder," said Jack enthusiastically. + +"Oh, not a wonder," said the girl. + +"Wait till I get the birds back to the car," he cried. + +"He-l-l-o," cried his sister as he came running. "What, four of +them?" + +"Four," he answered. "By jove, she's a wonder, isn't she. She +really bowls me over." + +"Nonsense," said his sister in a low voice. "She's just a fine +girl with a steady hand and a quick eye, and," she added as Jack +turned away from her, "a true heart." + +"A true heart," Jack muttered to himself, "and given to that +confounded bully of a German. If it had been any other man--but we +have got one day at least." Resolutely he brushed away the +thoughts that maddened him as he ran to Kathleen's side. Meantime, +Tom and Nora had gone circling around toward the left with Sweeper +ranging widely before them. + +"Let's beat round this bluff," suggested Kathleen. "They may not +have left the trees yet." + +Together they strolled away through the stubble, the girl moving +with an easy grace that spoke of balanced physical strength, and +with an eagerness that indicated the keen hunter's spirit. The +bluff brought no result. + +"That bluff promised chickens if ever a bluff did," said Kathleen +in a disappointed voice. "We'll get them further down, and then +again in the stubble." + +"Cheer-o," cried Jack. "The day is fine and we are having a +ripping time, at least I am." + +"And I, too," cried the girl. "I love this, the open fields,--and +the sport, too." + +"And good company," said Jack boldly. + +"Yes, good company, of course," she said with a quick, friendly +glance. "And you ARE good company to-day." + +"To-day?" + +"Yes. Sometimes, you know, you are rather--I don't know what to +say--but queer, as if you did not like--people, or were carrying +some terrible secret," she added with a little laugh. + +"Secret? I am, but not for long. I am going to tell you the +secret. Do you want to hear it now?" + +The note of desperation in his voice startled the girl. "Oh, no," +she cried hurriedly. "Where have we got to? There are no birds in +this open prairie here. We must get back to the stubble." + +"You are not interested in my secret, then?" said Jack. "But I am +going to tell you all the same, Kathleen." + +"Oh, please don't," she replied in a distressed voice. "We are +having such a splendid time, and besides we are after birds, aren't +we? And there are the others," she added, pointing across the +stubble field, "and Sweeper is on point again. Oh, let's run." +She started forward quickly, her foot caught in a tangle of vetch +vine and she pitched heavily forward. Jack sprang to catch her. A +shot crashed at their ears. The girl lay prone. + +"My God, Kathleen, are you hurt?" said Jack. + +"No, no, not a bit, but awfully scared," she panted. Then she +shrieked, "Oh, oh, oh, Jack, you are wounded, you are bleeding!" + +He looked down at his hand. It was dripping blood. "Oh, oh," she +moaned, covering her face with her hands. Then springing to her +feet, she caught up his hand in hers. + +"It is nothing at all," he said. "I feel nothing. Only a bit of +skin. See," he cried, lifting his arm up. "There's nothing to it. +No broken bones." + +"Let me see, Jack--Mr. Romayne," she said with white lips. + +"Say 'Jack,'" he begged. + +"Let me take off your coat--Jack, then. I know a little about +this. I have done something at it in Winnipeg." + +Together they removed the coat. The shirt sleeve was hanging in a +tangled, bloody mass from the arm. + +"Awful!" groaned Kathleen. "Sit down." + +"Oh, nonsense, it is not serious." + +"Sit down, Jack, dear," she entreated, clasping her hands about his +sound arm. + +"Say it again," said Jack. + +"Oh, Jack, won't you sit down, please?" + +"Say it again," he commanded sternly. + +"Oh, Jack, dear, please sit down," she cried in a pitiful voice. + +He sat down, then lay back reclining on his arm. "Now your knife, +Jack," she said, feeling hurriedly through his pockets. + +"Here you are," he said, handing her the knife, biting his lips the +while and fighting back a feeling of faintness. + +Quickly slipping behind him, she whipped off her white petticoat +and tore it into strips. Then cutting the bloody shirt sleeve, she +laid bare the arm. The wound was superficial. The shot had torn a +wide gash little deeper than the skin from wrist to shoulder, with +here and there a bite into the flesh. Swiftly, deftly, with +fingers that never fumbled, she bandaged the arm, putting in little +pads where the blood seemed to be pumping freely. + +"That's fine," said Jack. "You are a brick, Kathleen. I think--I +will--just lie down--a bit. I feel--rather rotten." As he spoke +he caught hold of her arm to steady himself. She caught him in her +arms and eased him down upon the stubble. With eyes closed and a +face that looked like death he lay quite still. + +"Jack," she cried aloud in her terror. "Don't faint. You must not +faint." + +But white and ghastly he lay unconscious, the blood still welling +right through the bandages on his wounded arm. She knew that in +some way she must stop the bleeding. Swiftly she undid the +bandages and found a pumping artery in the forearm. "What is it +that they do?" she said to herself. Then she remembered. Making a +tourniquet, she applied it to the upper arm. Then rolling up a +bloody bandage into a pad, she laid it upon the pumping artery and +bound it firmly down into place. Then flexing the forearm hard +upon it, she bandaged all securely again. Still the wounded man +lay unconscious. The girl was terrified. She placed her hand over +his heart. It was beating but very faintly. In the agony and +terror of the moment as in a flash of light her heart stood +suddenly wide open to her, and the thing that for the past months +had lain hidden within her deeper than her consciousness, a secret +joy and pain, leaped strong and full into the open, and she knew +that this man who lay bleeding and ghastly before her was dearer to +her than her own life. The sudden rush of this consciousness +sweeping like a flood over her soul broke down and carried away the +barrier of her maidenly reserve. Leaning over him in a passion of +self-abandonment, she breathed, "Oh, Jack, dear, dear Jack." As he +lay there white and still, into her love there came a maternal +tender yearning of pity. She lifted his head in her arm, and +murmured brokenly, "Oh, my love, my dear love." She kissed him on +his white lips. + +At the touch of her lips Jack opened his eyes, gazed at her for a +moment, then with dawning recognition, he said with a faint smile, +"Do--it--again." + +"Oh, you heard," she cried, the red blood flooding face and neck, +"but I don't care, only don't go off again. You will not, Jack, +you must not." + +"No--I won't," he said. "It's rotten--of me--to act--like this +and--scare you--to death. Give me--a little--time. I will be--all +right." + +"If they would only come! If I could only do something!" + +"You're all right--Kathleen. Just be--patient with me--a bit. I +am feeling--better every minute." + +For a few moments he lay quiet. Then with a little smile he looked +up at her again and said, "I would go off again just to hear you +say those words once more." + +"Oh, please don't," she entreated, hiding her face. + +"Forgive me, Kathleen, I am a beast. Forget it. I am feeling all +right. I believe I could sit up." + +"No, no, no," she cried. "Lie a little longer." + +She laid his head down, ran a hundred yards to the wheat field, +returning with two sheeves, and made a support for his head and +shoulders. "That is better," she said. + +"Good work," he said. "Now I am going to be fit for anything in a +few moments. But," he added, "you look rather badly, as if you +might faint yourself." + +"I? What difference does it make how I look? I am quite right. +If they would only come! I know what I will do," she cried. +"Where are your cartridges?" She loaded the gun and fired in quick +succession half a dozen shots. "I think I see them," she +exclaimed, "but I am not sure that they heard me." Again she fired +several shots. + +"Don't worry about it," said Jack, into whose face the colour was +beginning to come back. "They are sure to look us up. Just sit +down, won't you please, beside me here? There, that's good," he +continued, taking her hand. "Kathleen," he cried, "I think you +know my secret." + +"Oh, no, no, please don't," she implored, withdrawing her hand and +hiding her face from him. "Please don't be hard on me. I really +do not know what I am doing and I am feeling dreadfully." + +"You have reason to feel so, Kathleen. You have been splendidly +brave, and I give you my word I am not going to worry you." + +"Oh, thank you; you are so good, and I love you for it," she cried +in a passion of gratitude. "You understand, don't you?" + +"I think I do," he said. "By the way, do you know I think I could +smoke." + +"Oh, splendid!" she cried, and, springing up, she searched through +his coat pockets, found pipe, pouch, matches, and soon he had his +pipe going. "There, that looks more like living," said Kathleen, +laughing somewhat hysterically. "Oh, you did frighten me!" Again +the red flush came into her face and she turned away from him. + +"There they are coming. Sure enough, they are coming," she cried +with a sob in her voice. + +"Steady, Kathleen," said Jack quietly. "You won't blow up now, +will you? You have been so splendid! Can you hold on?" + +She drew a deep breath, stood for a minute or two in perfect +silence, and then she said, "I can and I will. I am quite right +now." + +Of course they exclaimed and stared and even wept a bit--at least +the ladies did--but Jack's pipe helped out amazingly, and, indeed, +he had recovered sufficient strength to walk unhelped to the car. +And while Tom sent the Packard humming along the smooth, resilient +road he kept up with Nora and his sister a rapid fire of breezy +conversation till they reached their own door. It was half an hour +before Tom could bring the doctor, during which time they discussed +the accident in all its bearings and from every point of view. + +"I am glad it was not I who was with you," declared Nora. "I +cannot stand blood, and I certainly should have fainted, and what +would you have done then?" + +"Not you," declared Jack. "That sort of thing does not go with +your stock. God knows what would have happened to me if I had had +a silly fool with me, for the blood was pumping out all over me. +But, thank God, I had a woman with a brave heart and clever hands." + +When the doctor came, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt went in to assist him, but +when the ghastly bloody spectacle lay bare to her eyes she found +herself grow weak and hurried to the kitchen where the others were. + +"Oh, I am so silly," she said, "but I am afraid I cannot stand the +sight of it." + +Kathleen sprang at once to her feet. "Is there no one there?" she +demanded with a touch of impatience in her voice, and passed +quickly into the room, where she stayed while the doctor snipped +off the frayed patches of skin and flesh and tied up the broken +arteries, giving aid with quick fingers and steady hands till all +was over. + +"You have done this sort of thing before, Miss Gwynne?" said the +doctor. + +"No, never," she replied. + +"Well, you certainly are a brick," he said, turning admiring eyes +upon her. He was a young man and unmarried. "But this is a little +too much for you." From a decanter which stood on a side table he +poured out a little spirits. "Drink this," he said. + +"No, thank you, Doctor, I am quite right," said Kathleen, quietly +picking up the bloody debris and dropping them into a basin which +she carried into the other room. "He is all right now," she said +to Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, who took the basin from her, exclaiming, + +"My poor dear, you are awfully white. I am ashamed of myself. Now +you must lie down at once." + +"No, please, I shall go home, I think. Where is Nora?" + +"Nora has gone home. You won't lie down a little? Then Tom shall +take you in the car. You are perfectly splendid. I did not think +you had it in you." + +"Oh, don't, don't," cried the girl, a quick rush of tears coming to +her eyes. "I must go, I must go. Oh, I feel terrible. I don't +know what I have done. Let me go home." She almost pushed Mrs. +Waring-Gaunt from her and went out of the house and found Tom +standing by the car smoking. + +"Take her home, Tom," said his wife. "She needs rest." + +"Come along, Kathleen; rest--well, rather. Get in beside me here. +Feel rather rotten, eh, what? Fine bit of work, good soldier--no, +don't talk--monologue indicated." And monologue it was till he +delivered her, pale, weary and spent, to her mother. + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +AN EXTRAORDINARY NURSE + + +"A letter for you, Nora," said Larry, coming just in from the post +office. + +"From Jane!" cried Nora, tearing open the letter. "Oh, glory," she +continued. "They are coming. Let's see, written on the ninth, +leaving to-morrow and arrive at Melville Station on the twelfth. +Why, that's tomorrow." + +"Who, Nora?" said Larry. "Jane?" + +"Yes, Jane and her father. She says, 'We mean to stay two or three +days, if you can have us, on our way to Banff.'" + +"Hurrah! Good old Jane! What train did you say?" cried Larry. + +"Sixteen-forty-five to-morrow at Melville Station." + +"'We'll have one trunk and two boxes, so you will need some sort of +rig, I am afraid. I hope this will not be too much trouble.'" + +"Isn't that just like Jane?" said Larry. "I bet you she gives the +size of the trunk, doesn't she, Nora?" + +"A steamer trunk and pretty heavy, she says." + +"Same old girl. Does she give you the colour?" inquired Larry. +"Like an old maid, she is." + +"Nonsense," said Nora, closing up her letter. "Oh, it's splendid. +Let's see, it is eight years since we saw her." + +"Just about fifteen months since I saw her," said Larry. + +"And about four months for me," said Kathleen. + +"But eight years for me," cried Nora, "and she has never missed +writing me every week, except once when she had the mumps, and she +made her father write that week. Now we shall have to take our old +democrat to meet her, the awful old thing," said Nora in a tone of +disgust. + +"Jane won't mind if it is a hayrack," said Larry. + +"No, but her father. He's such a swell. I hate meeting him with +that old bone cart. But we can't help it. Oh, I am just nutty +over her coming. I wonder what she's like?" + +"Why, she's the same old Jane," said Larry. "That's one immense +satisfaction about her. She is always the same, no matter when, +how or where you meet her. There's never a change in Jane." + +"I wonder if she has improved--got any prettier, I mean." + +"Prettier! What the deuce are you talking about?" said Larry +indignantly. "Prettier! Like a girl that is! You never think of +looks when you see Jane. All you see is just Jane and her big blue +eyes and her smile. Prettier! Who wants her prettier?" + +"Oh, all right, Larry. Don't fuss. She IS plain-looking, you +know. But she is such a good sort. I must tell Mrs. Waring- +Gaunt." + +"Do," said Larry, "and be sure to ask her for her car." + +Nora made a face at him, but ran to the 'phone and in an ecstatic +jumble of words conveyed the tremendous news to the lady at the +other end of the wire and to all the ears that might be open along +the party line. + +"Is that Mrs. Waring-Gaunt?--it's Nora speaking. I have the most +glorious news for you. Jane is coming!--You don't know Jane? My +friend, you know, in Winnipeg. You must have often heard me speak +of her.--What?--Brown.--No, Brown, B-r-o-w-n. And she's coming to- +morrow.--No, her father is with her.--Yes, Dr. Brown of Winnipeg.-- +Oh, yes. Isn't it splendid?--Three days only, far too short. And +we meet her to-morrow.--I beg your pardon?--Sixteen-forty-five, she +says, and she is always right. Oh, a change in the time table is +there?--Yes, I will hold on.--Sixteen-forty-five, I might have +known.--What do you say?--Oh, could you? Oh, dear Mrs. Waring- +Gaunt, how perfectly splendid of you! But are you sure you can?-- +Oh, you are just lovely.--Yes, she has one trunk, but that can come +in the democrat. Oh, that is perfectly lovely! Thank you so much. +Good-bye.--What? Yes, oh, yes, certainly I must go.--Will there be +room for him? I am sure he will love to go. That will make five, +you know, and they have two bags. Oh, lovely; you are awfully +good.--We shall need to start about fifteen o'clock. Good-bye. +Oh, how is Mr. Romayne?--Oh, I am so sorry, it is too bad. But, +Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, you know Dr. Brown is a splendid doctor, the +best in Winnipeg, one of the best in Canada. He will tell you +exactly what to do.--I beg your pardon?--Yes, she's here. +Kathleen, you are wanted. Hurry up, don't keep her waiting. Oh, +isn't she a dear?" + +"What does she want of me?" said Kathleen, a flush coming to her +cheek. + +"Come and see," said Nora, covering the transmitter with her hand, +"and don't keep her waiting. What is the matter with you?" + +Reluctantly Kathleen placed the receiver to her ear. "Yes, Mrs. +Waring-Gaunt, it is Kathleen speaking.--Yes, thank you, quite +well.--Oh, I have been quite all right, a little shaken perhaps.-- +Yes, isn't it splendid? Nora is quite wild, you know. Jane is her +dearest friend and she has not seen her since we were children, but +they have kept up a most active correspondence. Of course, I saw a +great deal of her last year. She is a splendid girl and they were +so kind; their house was like a home to me. I am sure it is very +kind of you to offer to meet them.--I beg your pardon?--Oh, I am so +sorry to hear that. We thought he was doing so well. What brought +that on?--Blood-poisoning!--Oh, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, you don't say +so? How terrible! Isn't it good that Dr. Brown is coming? He +will know exactly what is wrong.--Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. +Sleeplessness is so trying.--Yes--Yes--Oh, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, I am +afraid I couldn't do that." Kathleen's face had flushed bright +crimson. "But I am sure Mother would be so glad to go, and she is +a perfectly wonderful nurse. She knows just what to do.--Oh, I am +afraid not. Wait, please, a moment." + +"What does she want?" asked Nora. + +Kathleen covered the transmitter with her hand. "She wants me to +go and sit with Mr. Romayne while she drives you to the station. I +cannot, I cannot do that. Where is Mother? Oh, Mother, I cannot +go to Mrs. Waring-Gaunt's. I really cannot." + +"What nonsense, Kathleen!" cried Nora impatiently. "Why can't you +go, pray? Let me speak to her." She took the receiver from her +sister's hand. "Yes, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, it is Nora.--I beg your +pardon?--Oh, yes, certainly, one of us will be glad to go.--No, no, +certainly not. I would not have Mr. Waring-Gaunt leave his work +for the world.--I know, I know, awfully slow for him. We had not +heard of the change. It is too bad.--Yes, surely one of us will be +glad to come. We will fix it up some way. Good-bye." + +Nora hung up the receiver and turned fiercely upon her sister. +"Now, what nonsense is this," she said, "and she being so nice +about the car, and that poor man suffering there, and we never even +heard that he was worse? He was doing so splendidly, getting about +all right. Blood-poisoning is so awful. Why, you remember the +Mills boy? He almost lost his arm." + +"Oh, my dear Nora," said her mother. "There is no need of +imagining such terrible things, but I am glad Dr. Brown is to be +here. It is quite providential. I am sure he will put poor Mr. +Romayne right. Kathleen, dear," continued the mother, turning to +her elder daughter, "I think it would be very nice if you would run +over to-morrow while Mrs. Waring-Gaunt drives to the station. I am +sure it is very kind of her." + +"I know it is, Mother dear," said Kathleen. "But don't you think +you would be so much better?" + +"Oh, rubbish!" cried Nora. "If it were not Jane that is coming, I +would go myself; I would only be too glad to go. He is perfectly +splendid, so patient, and so jolly too, and Kathleen, you ought to +go." + +"Nora, dear, we won't discuss it," said the mother in the tone that +the family knew meant the end of all conversation. Kathleen +hurried away from them and took refuge in her own room. Then +shutting the door, she began pacing the floor, fighting once more +the battle which during that last ten days she had often fought +with herself and of which she was thoroughly weary. "Oh," she +groaned, wringing her hands, "I cannot do it. I cannot look at +him." She thought of that calm, impassive face which for the past +three months this English gentleman had carried in all of his +intercourse with her, and over against that reserve of his she +contrasted her own passionate abandonment of herself in that +dreadful moment of self-revelation. The contrast caused her to +writhe in an agony of self-loathing. She knew little of men, but +instinctively she felt that in his sight she had cheapened herself +and never could she bear to look at him again. She tried to recall +those glances of his and those broken, passionate words uttered +during the moments of his physical suffering that seemed to mean +something more than friendliness. Against these, however, was the +constantly recurring picture of a calm cold face and of intercourse +marked with cool indifference. "Oh, he cannot love me," she cried +to herself. "I am sure he does not love me, and I just threw +myself at him." In her march up and down the room she paused +before her mirror and looked at the face that stared so wildly back +at her. Her eyes rested on the red line of her mouth. "Oh," she +groaned, rubbing vigorously those full red lips. "I just kissed +him." She paused in the rubbing operation, gazed abstractedly into +the glass; a tender glow drove the glare from her eyes, a delicious +softness as from some inner well overflowed her countenance, the +red blood surged up into her white face; she fled from her accusing +mirror, buried her burning face in the pillow in an exultation of +rapture. She dared not put into words the thoughts that rioted in +her heart. "But I loved it, I loved it; I am glad I did." Lying +there, she strove to recall in shameless abandon the sensation of +those ecstatic moments, whispering in passionate self-defiance, "I +don't care what he thinks. I don't care if I was horrid. I am NOT +sorry. Besides, he looked so dreadful." But she was too honest +not to acknowledge to herself that not for pity's sake but for +love's she had kissed him, and without even his invitation. Then +once again she recalled the look in his eyes of surprise in the +moment of his returning consciousness, and the little smile that +played around his lips. Again wave upon wave of sickening self- +loathing flooded from her soul every memory of the bliss of that +supreme moment. Even now she could feel the bite of the cold, half +humorous scorn in the eyes that had opened upon her as she withdrew +her lips from his. On the back of this came another memory, sharp +and stabbing, that this man was ill, perhaps terribly ill. "We are +a little anxious about him," his sister had said, and she had +mentioned the word "blood-poisoning." Of the full meaning of that +dread word Kathleen had little knowledge, but it held for her a +horror of something unspeakably dangerous. He had been restless, +sleepless, suffering for the last two days and two nights. That +very night and that very hour he was perhaps tossing in fever. An +uncontrollable longing came over her to go to him. Perhaps she +might give him a few hours' rest, might indeed help to give him the +turn to health again. After all, what mattered her feelings. What +difference if he should despise her, provided she brought him help +in an hour of crisis. Physically weary with the long struggle +through which she had been passing during the last ten days, sick +at heart, and torn with anxiety for the man she loved, she threw +herself upon her bed and abandoned herself to a storm of tears. +Her mother came announcing tea, but this she declined, pleading +headache and a desire to sleep. But no sooner had her mother +withdrawn than she rose from her bed and with deliberate purpose +sat herself down in front of her mirror again. She would have this +out with herself now. "Well, you are a beauty, sure enough," she +said, addressing her swollen and disfigured countenance. "Why +can't you behave naturally? You are acting like a fool and you are +not honest with yourself. Come now, tell the truth for a few +minutes if you can. Do you want to go and see this man or not? +Answer truly." "Well, I do then." The blue eyes looked back +defiantly at her. "Why? to help him? for his sake? Come, the +truth." "Yes, for his sake, at least partly." "And for your own +sake, too? Come now, none of that. Never mind the blushing." +"Yes, for my own sake, too." "Chiefly for your own sake?" "No, I +do not think so. Chiefly I wish to help him." "Then why not go?" +Ah, this is a poser. She looks herself fairly in the eye, +distinctly puzzled. Why should she not simply go to him and help +him through a bad hour? With searching, deliberate persistence she +demanded an answer. She will have the truth out of herself. "Why +not go to him if you so desire to help him?" "Because I am +ashamed, because I have made myself cheap, and I cannot bear his +eyes upon me. Because if I have made a mistake and he does not +care for me--oh, then I never want to see him again, for he would +pity me, and that I cannot bear." "What? Not even to bring him +rest and relief from his pain? Not to help him in a critical hour? +He has been asking for you, remember." Steadily they face each +other, eye to eye, and all at once she is conscious that the +struggle is over, and, looking at the face in the glass, she says, +"Yes, I think I would be willing to do that for him, no matter how +it would shame me." Another heart-searching pause, and the eyes +answer her again, "I will go to-morrow." At once she reads a new +peace in the face that gazes at her so weary and wan, and she knows +that for the sake of the man she loves she is willing to endure +even the shame of his pity. The battle was over and some sort of +victory at least she had won. An eager impatience possessed her to +go to him at once. "I wish it were to-morrow now, this very +minute." + +She rose and looked out into the night. There was neither moon nor +stars and a storm was brewing, but she knew she could find her way +in the dark. Quietly and with a great peace in her heart she +bathed her swollen face, changed her dress to one fresh from the +ironing board--pale blue it was with a dainty vine running through +it--threw a wrap about her and went out to her mother. + +"I am going up to the Waring-Gaunts', Mother. They might need me," +she said in a voice of such serene control that her mother only +answered, + +"Yes, dear, Larry will go with you. He will soon be in." + +"There is no need, Mother, I am not afraid." + +Her mother made no answer but came to her and with a display of +tenderness unusual between them put her arms about her and kissed +her. "Good-night, then, darling; I am sure you will do them good." + +The night was gusty and black, but Kathleen had no fear. The road +was known to her, and under the impulse of the purpose that +possessed her she made nothing of the darkness nor of the +approaching storm. She hurried down the lane toward the main +trail, refusing to discuss with herself the possible consequence of +what she was doing. Nor did she know just what situation she might +find at the Waring-Gaunts'. They would doubtless be surprised to +see her. They might not need her help at all. She might be going +upon a fool's errand, but all these suppositions and forebodings +she brushed aside. She was bent upon an errand of simple kindness +and help. If she found she was not needed she could return home +and no harm done. + +Receiving no response to her knock, she went quietly into the +living room. A lamp burned low upon the table. There was no one +to be seen. Upstairs a child was wailing and the mother's voice +could be heard soothing the little one to sleep. From a bedroom, +of which the door stood open, a voice called. The girl's heart +stood still. It was Jack's voice, and he was calling for his +sister. She ran upstairs to the children's room. + +"He is calling for you," she said to Mrs. Waring-Gaunt without +preliminary greeting. "Let me take Doris." + +But Doris set up a wail of such acute dismay that the distracted +mother said, "Could you just step in and see what is wanted? Jack +has been in bed for two days. We have been unable to get a nurse +anywhere, and tonight both little girls are ill. I am so thankful +you came over. Indeed, I was about to send for one of you. Just +run down and see what Jack wants. I hope you don't mind. I shall +be down presently when Doris goes to sleep." + +"I am not going to sleep, Mamma," answered Doris emphatically. "I +am going to keep awake, for if I go to sleep I know you will go +away." + +"All right, darling, Mother is going to stay with you," and she +took the little one in her arms, adding, "Now we are all right, +aren't we." + +Kathleen ran downstairs, turned up the light in the living room and +passed quietly into the bedroom. + +"Sorry to trouble you, Sybil, but there's something wrong with this +infernal bandage." + +Kathleen went and brought in the lamp. "Your sister cannot leave +Doris, Mr. Romayne," she said quietly. "Perhaps I can be of use." + +For a few moments the sick man gazed at her as at a vision. "Is +this another of them?" he said wearily. "I have been having +hallucinations of various sorts for the last two days, but you do +look real. It is you, Kathleen, isn't it?" + +"Really me, Mr. Romayne," said the girl cheerfully. "Let me look +at your arm." + +"Oh, hang it, say 'Jack,' won't you, and be decent to a fellow. My +God, I have wanted you for these ten days. Why didn't you come to +me? What did I do? I hurt you somehow, but you know I wouldn't +willingly. Why have you stayed away from me?" He raised himself +upon his elbow, his voice was high, thin, weak, his eyes +glittering, his cheeks ghastly with the high lights of fever upon +them. + +Shocked, startled and filled with a poignant mothering pity, +Kathleen struggled with a longing to take him in her arms and +comfort him as the mother was the little wailing child upstairs. + +"Excuse me just a moment," she cried, and ran out into the living +room and then outside the door and stood for a moment in the dark, +drawing deep breaths and struggling to get control of the pity and +of the joy that surged through her heart. "Oh, God," she cried, +lifting her hands high above her head in appeal, "help me to be +strong and steady. He needs me and he wants me too." + +From the darkness in answer to her appeal there came a sudden +quietness of nerve and a sense of strength and fitness for her +work. Quickly she entered the house and went again to the sick +room. + +"Thank God," cried Jack. "I thought I was fooled again. You won't +go away, Kathleen, for a little while, will you? I feel just like +a kiddie in the dark, do you know? Like a fool rather. You won't +go again?" He raised himself upon his arm, the weak voice raised +to a pitiful appeal. + +It took all her own fortitude to keep her own voice steady. "No, +Jack, I am going to stay. I am your nurse, you know, and I am your +boss too. You must do just as I say. Remember that. You must +behave yourself as a sick man should." + +He sank back quietly upon the pillow. "Thank God. Anything under +heaven I promise if only you stay, Kathleen. You will stay, won't +you?" + +"Didn't you hear me promise?" + +"Yes, yes," he said, a great relief in his tired face. "All right, +I am good. But you have made me suffer, Kathleen." + +"Now, then, no talk," said Kathleen. "We will look at that arm." + +She loosened the bandages. The inflamed and swollen appearance of +the arm sickened and alarmed her. There was nothing she could do +there. She replaced the bandages. "You are awfully hot. I am +going to sponge your face a bit if you will let me." + +"Go on," he said gratefully, "do anything you like if only you +don't go away again." + +"Now, none of that. A nurse doesn't run away from her job, does +she?" She had gotten control of herself, and her quick, clever +fingers, with their firm, cool touch, seemed to bring rest to the +jangling nerves of the sick man. Whatever it was, whether the +touch of her fingers or the relief of the cool water upon his +fevered face and arm, by the time the bathing process was over, +Jack was lying quietly, already rested and looking like sleep. + +"I say, this is heavenly," he murmured. "Now a drink, if you +please. I believe there is medicine about due too," he said. She +gave him a drink, lifting up his head on her strong arm. "I could +lift myself, you know," he said, looking up into her face with a +little smile, "but I like this way so much better if you don't +mind." + +"Certainly not; I am your nurse, you know," replied Kathleen. "Now +your medicine." She found the bottle under his direction and, +again lifting his head, gave him his medicine. + +"Oh, this is fine. I will take my medicine as often as you want me +to, and I think another drink would be good." She brought him the +glass. "I like to drink slowly," he said, looking up into her +eyes. But she shook her head at him. + +"No nonsense now," she warned him. + +"Nonsense!" he said, sinking back with a sigh, "I want you to +believe me, Kathleen, it is anything but nonsense. My God, it is +religion!" + +"Now then," said Kathleen, ignoring his words, "I shall just smooth +out your pillows and straighten down your bed, tuck you in and make +you comfortable for the night and then--" + +"And then," he interrupted eagerly, "oh, Kathleen, all good +children get it, you know." + +A deep flush tinged her face. "Now you are not behaving properly." + +"But, Kathleen," he cried, "why not? Listen to me. There's no +use. I cannot let you go till I have this settled. I must know. +No, don't pull away from me, Kathleen. You know I love you, with +all my soul, with all I have, I love you. Oh, don't pull away from +me. Ever since that day when I first saw you three months ago I +have loved you. I have tried not to. God knows I have tried not +to because I thought you were pledged to that--that German fellow. +Tell me, Kathleen. Why you are shaking, darling! Am I frightening +you? I would not frighten you. I would not take advantage of you. +But do you care a little bit? Tell me. I have had ten days of +sheer hell. For one brief minute I thought you loved me. You +almost said you did. But then you never came to me and I have +feared that you did not care. But to-night I must know. I must +know now." He raised himself up to a sitting posture. "Tell me, +Kathleen; I must know." + +"Oh, Jack," she panted. "You are not yourself now. You are weak +and just imagine things." + +"Imagine things," he cried with a kind of fierce rage. "Imagine! +Haven't I for these three months fought against this every day? +Oh, Kathleen, if you only knew. Do you love me a little, even a +little?" + +Suddenly the girl ceased her struggling. "A little!" she cried. +"No, Jack, not a little, but with all my heart I love you. I +should not tell you to-night, and, oh, I meant to be so strong and +not let you speak till you were well again, but I can't help it. +But are you quite sure, Jack? Are you sure you won't regret this +when you are well again?" + +He put his strong arm round about her and drew her close. "I can't +half hold you, darling," he said in her ear. "This confounded arm +of mine--but you do it for me. Put your arms around me, sweetheart, +and tell me that you love me." + +She wreathed her arms round about his neck and drew him close. +"Oh, Jack," she said, "I may be wrong, but I am so happy, and I +never thought to be happy again. I cannot believe it. Oh, what +awful days these have been!" she said with a break in her voice and +hiding her face upon his shoulder. + +"Never mind, sweetheart, think of all the days before us." + +"Are you sure, Jack?" she whispered to him, still hiding her face. +"Are you very sure that you will not be ashamed of me? I felt so +dreadful and I came in just to help you, and I was so sure of +myself. But when I saw you lying there, Jack, I just could not +help myself." Her voice broke. + +He turned her face up a little toward him. "Look at me," he said. +She opened her eyes and, looking steadily into his, held them +there. "Say, 'Jack, I love you,'" he whispered to her. + +A great flood of red blood rushed over her face, then faded, +leaving her white, but still her eyes held his fast. "Jack," she +whispered, "my Jack, I love you." + +"Kathleen, dear heart," he said. + +Closer he drew her lips toward his. Suddenly she closed her eyes, +her whole body relaxed, and lay limp against him. As his lips met +hers, her arms tightened about him and held him in a strong +embrace. Then she opened her eyes, raised herself up, and gazed at +him as if in surprise. "Oh, Jack," she cried, "I cannot think it +is true. Are you sure? I could not bear it if you were mistaken." + +There was the sound of a footstep on the stair. "Let me go, Jack; +there's your sister coming. Quick! Lie down." Hurriedly, she +began once more to bathe his face as Mrs. Waring-Gaunt came in. + +"Is he resting?" she said. "Why, Jack, you seem quite feverish. +Did you give him his medicine?" + +"Yes, about an hour ago, I think." + +"An hour! Why, before you came upstairs? How long have you been +in?" + +"Oh, no, immediately after I came down," said the girl in confusion. +"I don't know how long ago. I didn't look at the time." She busied +herself straightening the bed. + +"Sybil, she doesn't know how long ago," said Jack. "She's been +behaving as I never have heard of any properly trained nurse +behaving. She's been kissing me." + +"Oh, Jack," gasped Kathleen, flushing furiously. + +"Kissing you!" exclaimed Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, looking from one to the +other. + +"Yes, and I have been kissing her," continued Jack shamelessly. + +"Oh, Jack," again gasped Kathleen, looking at Mrs. Waring-Gaunt +beseechingly. + +"Yes," continued Jack in a voice of triumph, "and we are going to +do it right along every day and all day long with suitable pauses +for other duties and pleasures." + +"Oh, you darling," exclaimed Mrs. Waring-Gaunt rushing at her. "I +am so glad. Well, you are a 'wunner' as the Marchioness says. I +had thought--but never mind. Jack, dear, I do congratulate you. I +think you are in awful luck. Yes, and you too, Kathleen, for he is +a fine boy. I will go and tell Tom this minute." + +"Do," said Jack, "and please don't hurry. My nurse is perfectly +competent to take care of me in the meantime." + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE COMING OF JANE + + +At sixteen-forty-five the Waring-Gaunt car was standing at the +Melville Station awaiting the arrival of the train which was to +bring Jane and her father, but no train was in sight. Larry, after +inquiry at the wicket, announced that she was an hour late. How +much more the agent, after the exasperating habit of railroad +officials, could not say, nor could he assign any reason for the +delay. + +"Let me talk to him," said Nora impatiently. "I know Mr. Field." + +Apparently the official reserve in which Mr. Field had wrapped +himself was not proof against the smile which Nora flung at him +through the wicket. + +"We really cannot say how late she will be, Miss Nora. I may tell +you, but we are not saying anything about it, that there has been +an accident." + +"An accident!" exclaimed Nora. "Why, we are expecting--" + +"No, there is no one hurt. A freight has been derailed, and torn +up the track a bit. The passenger train is held up just beyond +Fairfield. It will be a couple of hours, perhaps three, before she +arrives." At this point the telegraph instrument clicked. "Just a +minute, Miss Nora, there may be something on the wire." With his +fingers on the key he executed some mysterious prestidigitations, +wrote down some words, and came to the wicket again. "Funny," he +said, "it is a wire for you, Miss Nora." + +Nora took the yellow slip and read: "Delayed by derailed freight. +Time of arrival uncertain. Very sorry, Jane." + +"What do you think of this?" cried Nora, carrying the telegram out +to the car. "Isn't it perfectly exasperating? That takes off one +of their nights." + +"Where is the accident?" inquired Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. + +"Just above Fairfield." + +"Fairfield! The poor things! Jump in and we will be there in no +time. It is not much further to Wolf Willow from Fairfield than +from here. Hurry up, we must make time." + +"Now, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, I know your driving. Just remember that I +am an only son. I prefer using all four wheels on curves, please." + +"Let her go," cried Nora. + +And Mrs. Waring-Gaunt "let her go" at such speed that Larry +declared he had time for only two perfectly deep breaths, one +before they started, the other after they had pulled up beside the +Pullman car at the scene of the wreck. + +"Jane, Jane, Jane," yelled Larry, waving his hands wildly to a girl +who was seen sitting beside a window reading. The girl looked up, +sprang from her seat, and in a moment or two appeared on the +platform. "Come on," yelled Larry. He climbed over a wire fence, +and up the steep grade of the railroad embankment. Down sprang the +girl, met him half way up the embankment, and gave him both her +hands. "Jane, Jane," exclaimed Larry. "You are looking splendidly. +Do you know," he added in a low voice, "I should love to kiss you +right here. May I? Look at all the people; they would enjoy it so +much." + +The girl jerked away her hands, the blood showing dully under her +brown skin. "Stop it, you silly boy. Is that Nora? Yes, it is." +She waved her hand wildly at Nora, who was struggling frantically +with the barbed wire fence. "Wait, I am coming, Nora," cried Jane. + +Down the embankment she scrambled and, over the wire, the two girls +embraced each other to the delight of the whole body of the +passengers gathered at windows and on platforms, and to the +especial delight of a handsome young giant, resplendent in a new +suit of striped flannels, negligee shirt, blue socks with tie to +match, and wearing a straw hat adorned with a band in college +colours. With a wide smile upon his face he stood gazing down upon +the enthusiastic osculation of the young ladies. + +"Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, this is Jane," cried Nora. "Mrs. Waring-Gaunt +has come to meet you and take you home," she added to Jane. "You +know we have no car of our own." + +"How do you do," said Jane, smiling at Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "I can't +get at you very well just now. It was very kind of you to come for +us." + +"And she has left her brother very sick at home," said Nora in a +low voice. + +"We won't keep you waiting," said Jane, beginning to scramble up +the bank again. "Come, Larry, I shall get father and you shall +help with our things." + +"Right you are," said Larry. + +"Met your friends, I see, Miss Brown," said the handsome giant. "I +know it is mean of me, but I am really disgusted. It is bad enough +to be held up here for a night, but to lose your company too." + +"Well, I am awfully glad," said Jane, giving him such a delighted +smile that he shook his head disconsolately. + +"No need telling me that. Say," he added in an undertone, "that's +your friend Nora, ain't it? Stunning girl. Introduce me, won't +you?" + +"Yes, if you will help me with my things. I am in an awful hurry +and don't want to keep them waiting. Larry, this is Mr. Dean +Wakeham." The young man shook hands with cordial frankness, Larry +with suspicion in his heart. + +"Let me have your check, Jane, and I will go and get your trunk," +said Larry. + +"No, you come with me, Larry," said Jane decidedly. "The trunk is +too big for you to handle. Mr. Wakeham, you will get it for me, +won't you, please? I will send a porter to help." + +"Gladly, Miss Brown. No, I mean with the deepest pain and regret," +said Wakeham, going for the trunk while Larry accompanied her in +quest of the minor impedimenta that constituted her own and her +father's baggage. + +"Jane, have you any idea how glad I am to see you?" demanded Larry +as they passed into the car. + +Jane's radiant smile transformed her face. "Yes, I think so," she +said simply. "But we must hurry. Oh, here is Papa." + +Dr. Brown hailed Larry with acclaim. "This is very kind of you, my +dear boy; you have saved us a tedious wait." + +"We must hurry, Papa," said Jane, cutting him short. "Mrs. Waring- +Gaunt, who has come for us in her car, has left her brother ill at +home." She marshalled them promptly into the car and soon had them +in line for the motor, bearing the hand baggage and wraps, the +porter following with Jane's own bag. "Thank you, porter," said +Jane, giving him a smile that reduced that functionary to the verge +of grinning imbecility, and a tip which he received with an air of +absent-minded indifference. "Good-bye, porter; you have made us +very comfortable," said Jane, shaking hands with him. + +"Thank you, Miss; it shuah is a pleasuah to wait on a young lady +like you, Miss. It shuah is, Miss. Ah wish you a prospec jounay, +Miss, Ah do." + +"I wonder what is keeping Mr. Wakeham," said Jane. "I am very +sorry to keep you waiting, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. Larry, would you +mind?" + +"Certainly not," said Larry, hurrying off toward the baggage car. +In a few minutes Mr. Wakeham appeared with the doleful news that +the trunk was not in the car and must have been left behind. + +"I am quite sure it is there," said Jane, setting off herself for +the car, the crestfallen Mr. Wakeham and the porter following +behind her. + +At the door of the car the baggage man met her with regretful +apologies. "The trunk must have been left behind." + +He was brusquely informed by Jane that she had seen it put on +board. + +"Then it must have been put off by mistake at Calgary?" This +suggestion was brushed aside as unworthy of consideration. The +trunk was here in this car, she was sure. This the baggage man and +Mr. Wakeham united in declaring quite impossible. "We have turned +the blasted car upside down," said the latter. + +"Impossible?" exclaimed Jane, who had been exploring the dark +recesses of the car. "Why, here it is, I knew it was here." + +"Hurrah," cried Larry, "we have got it anyway." + +Mr. Wakeham and the baggage man went to work to extricate the trunk +from the lowest tier of boxes. They were wise enough to attempt no +excuse or explanation, and in Jane's presence they felt cribbed, +cabined and confined in the use of such vocabulary as they were +wont to consider appropriate to the circumstances, and in which +they prided themselves as being adequately expert. A small +triumphal procession convoyed the trunk to the motor, Jane leading +as was fitting, Larry and Mr. Wakeham forming the rear guard. The +main body consisted of the porter, together with the baggage man, +who, under a flagellating sense of his incompetence, was so moved +from his wonted attitude of haughty indifference as to the fate of +a piece of baggage committed to his care when once he had +contemptuously hurled it forth from the open door of his car as to +personally aid in conducting by the unusual and humiliating process +of actually handling this particular bit of baggage down a steep +and gravelly bank and over a wire fence and into a motor car. + +"Jane's a wonder," confided Larry to Mr. Wakeham. + +"She sure is," said that young man. "You cannot slip anything past +her, and she's got even that baggage man tamed and tied and ready +to catch peanuts in his mouth. First time I have seen that done." + +"You just wait till she smiles her farewell at him," said Larry, +hugely enjoying the prospect. + +Together they stood awaiting the occurrence of this phenomenon. +"Gosh-a-mighty, look at him," murmured Mr. Wakeham. "Takes it like +pie. He'd just love to carry that blasted trunk up the grade and +back to the car, if she gave him the wink. Say, she ain't much to +look at, but somehow she's got me handcuffed and chained to her +chariot wheels. Say," he continued with a shyness not usual with +him, "would you mind introducing me to the party?" + +"Come along," said Larry. + +The introduction, however, was performed by Jane, who apparently +considered Mr. Wakeham as being under her protection. "Mrs. +Waring-Gaunt, this is Mr. Wakeham. Mr. Wakeham is from Chicago, +but," she hastened to add, "he knows some friends of ours in +Winnipeg." + +"So you see I am fairly respectable," said Mr. Wakeham, shaking +hand with Mrs. Waring-Gaunt and Nora. + +When the laughter had ceased, Mr. Wakeham said, "If your car were +only a shade larger I should beg hospitality along with Dr. and +Miss Brown." + +"Room on the top," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt with a smile, "but it +seems the only place left. You are just passing through, Mr. +Wakeham?" + +"Yes, I am going on to Manor Mine." + +"Oh, that's only twenty miles down the line." + +"Then may I run up to see you?" eagerly asked Mr. Wakeham. + +"Certainly, we shall be delighted to see you," said the lady. + +"Count on me, then," said the delighted Mr. Wakeham, lifting his +hat in farewell. + +Dr. Brown took his place in the front seat beside Mrs. Waring- +Gaunt, the three young people occupying the seat in the rear. + +"Who is he?" asked Larry when they had finally got under way. + +"A friend of the James Murrays in Winnipeg. You remember them, +don't you? Ethel Murray was in your year. He is very nice indeed, +don't you think so, Papa?" said Jane, appealing to her father. + +"Fine young chap," said Dr. Brown with emphasis. "His father is in +mines in rather a big way, I believe. Lives in Chicago, has large +holdings in Alberta coal mines about here somewhere, I fancy. The +young man is a recent graduate from Cornell and is going into his +father's business. He strikes me as an exceptionally able young +fellow." And for at least five miles of the way Dr. Brown +discussed the antecedents, the character, the training, the +prospects of the young American till Larry felt qualified to pass a +reasonably stiff examination on that young man's history, character +and career. + +"Now tell me," said Larry to Jane at the first real opening that +offered, "what does this talk about a three days' visit to us mean. +The idea of coming a thousand miles on your first visit to your +friends, some of whom you have not seen for eight years and staying +three days!" + +"You see Papa is on his way to Banff," explained Jane, "and then he +goes to the coast and he only has a short time. So we could plan +only for three days here." + +"We can plan better than that," said Larry confidently, "but never +mind just now. We shall settle that to-morrow." + +The journey home was given to the careful recital of news of +Winnipeg, of the 'Varsity, and of mutual friends. It was like +listening to the reading of a diary to hear Jane bring up to date +the doings and goings and happenings in the lives of their mutual +friends for the past year. Gossip it was, but of such kindly +nature as left no unpleasant taste in the mouth and gave no +unpleasant picture of any living soul it touched. + +"Oh, who do you think came to see me two weeks ago? An old friend +of yours, Hazel Sleighter. Mrs. Phillips she is now. She has two +lovely children. Mr. Phillips is in charge of a department in +Eaton's store." + +"You don't tell me," cried Larry. "How is dear Hazel? How I loved +her once! I wonder where her father is and Tom and the little +girl. What was her name?" + +"Ethel May. Oh, she is married too, in your old home, to Ben-- +somebody." + +"Ben, big Ben Hopper? Why, think of that kid married." + +"She is just my age," said Jane soberly, glad of the dusk of the +falling night. She would have hated to have Larry see the quick +flush that came to her cheek. Why the reference to Ethel May's +marriage should have made her blush she hardly knew, and that +itself was enough to annoy her, for Jane always knew exactly why +she did things. + +"And Mr. and Mrs. Sleighter," said Jane, continuing her narrative, +"have gone to Toronto. They have become quite wealthy, Hazel says, +and Tom is with his father in some sort of financial business. +What is it, Papa?" + +Dr. Brown suddenly waked up. "What is what, my dear? You will +have to forgive me. This wonderful scenery, these hills here and +those mountains are absorbing my whole attention. So wonderful it +all is that I hardly feel like apologising to Mrs. Waring-Gaunt for +ignoring her." + +"Don't think of it," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. + +"Do you know, Jane," continued Dr. Brown, "that at this present +moment you are passing through scenery of its kind unsurpassed +possibly in the world?" + +"I was talking to Larry, Papa," said Jane, and they all laughed at +her. + +"I was talking to Jane," said Larry. + +"But look at this world about you," continued her father, "and +look, do look at the moon coming up behind you away at the prairie +rim." They all turned about except Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, whose eyes +were glued to the two black ruts before her cutting through the +grass. "Oh, wonderful, wonderful," breathed Dr. Brown. "Would it +be possible to pause, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, at the top of this rise?" + +"No," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, "but at the top of the rise beyond, +where you will get the full sweep of the country in both directions." + +"Is that where we get your lake, Nora," inquired Jane, "and the +valley beyond up to the mountains?" + +"How do you know?" said Nora. + +"I remember Larry told me once," she said. + +"That's the spot," said Nora. "But don't look around now. Wait +until you are told." + +"Papa," said Jane in a quiet, matter-of-fact voice, "what is it +that Tom is doing?" Larry shouted. + +"Tom, what Tom? Jane, my dear," said Dr. Brown in a pained voice, +"does Tom matter much or any one else in the midst of all this +glory?" + +"I think so, Papa," said Jane firmly. "You matter, don't you? +Everybody matters. Besides, we were told not to look until we +reached the top." + +"Well, Jane, you are an incorrigible Philistine," said her father, +"and I yield. Tom's father is a broker, and Tom is by way of being +a broker too, though I doubt if he is broking very much. May I +dismiss Tom for a few minutes now?" Again they all laughed. + +"I don't see what you are all laughing at," said Jane, and lapsed +into silence. + +"Now then," cried Nora, "in three minutes." + +At the top of the long, gently rising hill the motor pulled up, +purring softly. They all stood up and gazed around about them. +"Look back," commanded Nora. "It is fifty miles to that prairie +rim there." From their feet the prairie spread itself in long +softly undulating billows to the eastern horizon, the hollows in +shadow, the crests tipped with the silver of the rising moon. Here +and there wreaths of mist lay just above the shadow lines, giving a +ghostly appearance to the hills. "Now look this way," said Nora, +and they turned about. Away to the west in a flood of silvery +light the prairie climbed by abrupt steps, mounting ever higher +over broken rocky points and rocky ledges, over bluffs of poplar +and dark masses of pine and spruce, up to the grey, bare sides of +the mighty mountains, up to their snow peaks gleaming elusive, +translucent, faintly discernible against the blue of the sky. In +the valley immediately at their feet the waters of the little lake +gleamed like a polished shield set in a frame of ebony. "That's +our lake," said Nora, "with our house just behind it in the woods. +And nearer in that little bluff is Mrs. Waring-Gaunts home." + +"Papa," said Jane softly, "we must not keep Mrs. Waring-Gaunt." + +"Thank you, Jane," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "I fear I must go on." + +"Don't you love it?" inquired Larry enthusiastically and with a +touch of impatience in his voice. + +"Oh, yes, it is lovely," said Jane. + +"But, Jane, you will not get wild over it," said Larry. + +"Get wild? I love it, really I do. But why should I get wild over +it. Oh, I know you think, and Papa thinks, that I am awful. He +says I have no poetry in me, and perhaps he is right." + +In a few minutes the car stopped at the door of Mrs. Waring-Gaunt's +house. "I shall just run in for a moment," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. +"Kathleen will want to see you, and perhaps will go home with you. +I shall send her out." + +Out from the vine-shadowed porch into the white light came +Kathleen, stood a moment searching the faces of the party, then +moved toward Dr. Brown with her hands eagerly stretched out. "Oh, +Dr. Brown," she cried, "it is so good to see you here." + +"But my dear girl, my dear girl, how wonderful you look! Why, you +have actually grown more beautiful than when we saw you last!" + +"Oh, thank you, Dr. Brown. And there is Jane," cried Kathleen, +running around to the other side of the car. "It is so lovely to +see you and so good of you to come to us," she continued, putting +her arms around Jane and kissing her. + +"I wanted to come, you know," said Jane. + +"Yes, it is Jane's fault entirely," said Dr. Brown. "I confess I +hesitated to impose two people upon you this way, willy-nilly. But +Jane would have it that you would be glad to have us." + +"And as usual Jane was right," said Larry with emphasis. + +"Yes," said Kathleen, "Jane was right. Jane is a dear to think +that way about us. Dr. Brown," continued Kathleen with a note of +anxiety in her voice, "Mrs. Waring-Gaunt wondered if you would mind +coming in to see her brother. He was wounded with a gunshot in the +arm about ten days ago. Dr. Hudson, who was one of your pupils, I +believe, said he would like to have you see him when you came. I +wonder if you would mind coming in now." Kathleen's face was +flushed and her words flowed in a hurried stream. + +"Not at all, not at all," answered the doctor, rising hastily from +the motor and going in with Kathleen. + +"Oh, Larry," breathed Jane in a rapture of delight, "isn't she +lovely, isn't she lovely? I had no idea she was so perfectly +lovely." Not the moon, nor the glory of the landscape with all its +wonder of plain and valley and mountain peak had been able to +awaken Jane to ecstasy, but the rare loveliness of this girl, her +beauty, her sweet simplicity, had kindled Jane to enthusiasm. + +"Well, Jane, you are funny," said Larry. "You rave and go wild +over Kathleen, and yet you keep quite cool over that most wonderful +view." + +"View!" said Jane contemptuously. "No, wait, Larry, let me +explain. I do think it all very wonderful, but I love people. +People after all are better than mountains, and they are more +wonderful too." + +"Are they?" said Larry dubiously. "Not so lovely, sometimes." + +"Some people," insisted Jane, "are more wonderful than all the +Rocky Mountains together. Look at Kathleen," she cried triumphantly. +"You could not love that old mountain there, could you? But, +Kathleen--" + +"Don't know about that," said Larry. "Dear old thing." + +"Tell me how Mr. Romayne was hurt," said Jane, changing the subject. + +In graphic language Nora gave her the story of the accident with +all the picturesque details, recounting Kathleen's part in it with +appropriate emotional thrills. Jane listened with eyes growing +wider with each horrifying elaboration. + +"Do you think his arm will ever be all right?" she inquired +anxiously. + +"We do not know yet," said Nora sombrely. + +"Nonsense," interrupted Larry sharply. "His arm will be perfectly +all right. You people make me tired with your passion for horrors +and possible horrors." + +Nora was about to make a hot reply when Jane inquired quietly, +"What does the doctor say? He ought to know." + +"That's just it," said Nora. "He said yesterday he did not like +the look of it at all. You know he did, Larry. Mrs. Waring-Gaunt +told me so. They are quite anxious about it. But we will hear +what Dr. Brown says and then we will know." + +But Dr. Brown's report did not quite settle the matter, for after +the approved manner of the profession he declined to commit himself +to any definite statement except that it was a nasty wound, that it +might easily have been worse, and he promised to look in with Dr. +Hudson to-morrow. Meantime he expressed the profound hope that +Mrs. Waring-Gaunt might get them as speedily as was consistent with +safety to their destination, and that supper might not be too long +delayed. + +"We can trust Mrs. Waring-Gaunt for the first," said Larry with +confidence, "and mother for the second." In neither the one nor +the other was Larry mistaken, for Mrs. Waring-Gaunt in a very few +minutes discharged both passengers and freight at the Gwynnes' +door, and supper was waiting. + +"We greatly appreciate your kindness, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt," said Dr. +Brown, bowing courteously over her hand. "I shall look in upon +your brother to-morrow morning. I hardly think there is any great +cause for anxiety." + +"Oh, thank you, Dr. Brown, I am glad to hear you say that. It +would be very good of you to look in to-morrow." + +"Good-night," said Jane, her rare smile illuminating her dark face. +"It was so good of you to come for us. It has been a delightful +ride. I hope your brother will be better to-morrow." + +"Thank you, my dear," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "I should be glad to +have you come over to us. I am sure my brother would be glad to +know you." + +"Do you think so," said Jane doubtfully. "You know I am not very +clever. I am not like Kathleen or Nora." The deep blue eyes +looked wistfully at her out of the plain little face. + +"I am perfectly certain he would love to know you, Jane--if I may +call you so," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, impulsively kissing her. + +"Oh, you are so kind," said Jane. "I will come then to-morrow." + +The welcome to the Gwynne home was without fuss or effusiveness but +had the heart quality that needs no noisy demonstration. + +"We are glad to have you with us at Lakeside Farm," said Mr. Gwynne +heartily, as he ushered Dr. Brown and Jane into the big living +room, where his wife stood waiting. + +"You are welcome to us, Dr. Brown," said the little lady. And +something in the voice and manner made Dr. Brown know that the +years that had passed since his first meeting with her had only +deepened the feeling of gratitude and affection in her heart toward +him. "We have not forgotten nor shall we ever forget your kindness +to us when we were strangers passing through Winnipeg, nor your +goodness to Larry and Kathleen while in Winnipeg. They have often +told us of your great kindness." + +"And you may be quite sure, Mrs. Gwynne," said Dr. Brown heartily, +"that Larry brought his welcome with him, and as for Kathleen, we +regard her as one of our family." + +"And this is Jane," said Mrs. Gwynne. "Dear child, you have grown. +But you have not changed. Come away to your room." + +Once behind the closed door she put her arms around the girl and +kissed her. Then, holding her at arm's length, scrutinised her +face with searching eyes. "No," she said again with a little sigh +of relief, "you have not changed. You are the same dear, wise girl +I learned to love in Winnipeg." + +"Oh, I am glad you think I am not changed, Mrs. Gwynne," said Jane, +with a glow of light in her dark blue eyes. "I do not like people +to change and I would hate to have you think me changed. I know," +she added shyly, "I feel just the same toward you and the others +here. But oh, how lovely they are, both Kathleen and Nora." + +"They are good girls," said Mrs. Gwynne quietly, "and they have +proved good girls to me." + +"I know, I know," said Jane, with impulsive fervour, "and through +those winters and all. Oh, they were so splendid." + +"Yes," said the mother, "they never failed, and Larry too." + +"Yes, indeed," cried Jane with increasing ardour, her eyes shining, +"with his teaching,--going there through the awful cold,--lighting +the school fires,--and the way he stuck to his college work. +Nora's letters told me all about it. How splendid that was! And +you know, Mrs. Gwynne, in the 'Varsity he did so well. I mean +besides his standing in the class lists, in the Societies and in +all the college life. He was really awfully popular," added Jane +with something of a sigh. + +"You must tell me, dear, sometime all about it. But now you must +be weary and hungry. Come away out if you are ready, and I hope +you will feel as if you were just one of ourselves." + +"Do you know, that is just the way I feel, Mrs. Gwynne," said Jane, +putting the final touch to her toilet. "I seem to know the house, +and everything and everybody about it. Nora is such a splendid +correspondent, you see." + +"Well, dear child, we hope the days you spend here will always be a +very bright spot in your life," said Mrs. Gwynne as they entered +the living room. + +The next few days saw the beginning of the realisation of that +hope, for of all the bright spots in Jane's life none shone with a +brighter and more certain lustre than the days of her visit to +Lakeside Farm. + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +HOSPITALITY WITHOUT GRUDGING + + +By arrangement made the previous evening Jane was awake before the +family was astir and in Nora's hands preparing for a morning ride +with Larry, who was to give her her first lesson in equitation. + +"Your habit will be too big for me, Nora, I am afraid," she said. + +"Habit!" cried Nora. "My pants, you mean. You can pull them up, +you know. There they are." + +"Pants!" gasped Jane. "Pants! Nora, pants! Do you mean to say +you wear these things where all the men will see you?" Even in the +seclusion of her bedroom Jane's face at the thought went a fiery +red. Nora laughed at her scornfully. "Oh, but I can't possibly go +out in these before Larry. I won't ride at all. Haven't you a +skirt, a regular riding habit?" + +But Nora derided her scruples. "Why, Jane, we all wear them here." + +"Does Kathleen?" + +"Of course she does, and Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, and everybody." + +"Oh, she might, but I am sure your mother would not." + +Nora shouted joyfully. "Well, that is true, she never has, but +then she has never ridden out here. Put them on, hurry up, your +legs are straight enough, your knees don't knock." + +"Oh, Nora, they are just terrible," said Jane, almost in tears. "I +know I will just squat down if Larry looks at me." + +"Why should he look at you? Don't you ever let on but that you +have worn them often, and he will never think of looking at you." + +In face of many protests Jane was at length arrayed in her riding +apparel. + +"Why, you look perfectly stunning," said Nora. "You have got just +the shape for them. Pull them up a little. There, that is better. +Now step out and let me see you." + +Jane walked across the room and Nora rocked in laughter. "Oh, +Nora, I will just take them off. You are as mean as you can be. +I will pull them off." + +"Not a bit," said Nora, still laughing, "only stretch your legs a +bit when you walk. Don't mince along. Stride like a man. These +men have had all the fun in the matter of clothes. I tell you it +was one of the proudest moments of my life when I saw my own legs +walking. Now step out and swing your arms. There, you are fine, a +fine little chap, Jane, round as a barrel, and neat as a ballet +dancer, although I never saw one except in magazines." + +Trim and neat Jane looked, the riding suit showing off the +beautiful lines of her round, shapely figure. Shrinking, blushing, +and horribly conscious of her pants, Jane followed Nora from her +bedroom. A swift glance she threw around the room. To her joy it +was empty but for Mrs. Gwynne, who was ready with a big glass of +rich milk and a slice of home-made bread and delicious butter. + +"Good morning, my dear," said Mrs. Gwynne, kissing her. "You will +need something before you ride. You will have breakfast after your +return." + +Jane went close to her and stood beside her, still blushing. "Oh, +thank you," she cried, "I am really hungry already. I hope I won't +get killed. I never was on a horse before, you know." + +"Oh, never fear, Lawrence is very careful. If it were Nora now I +would not be so sure about you, but Lawrence is quite safe." + +At this point Larry came in. "Well, Jane, all ready? Good for +you. I like a girl that is always on time." + +"How do you like her pants, Larry?" said Nora, wickedly. + +"Perfectly splendiferous," cried Larry. + +"Oh, you mean thing, Nora," cried Jane, dropping hurriedly into a +chair with scarlet face and indignant eyes. + +"Come along, Jane, old chap, don't mind her. Those pants never +looked so well before, I assure you. We are going to have a great +time. I guarantee that in a few minutes you will be entirely +oblivious of such trivial things as mere pants." + +They all passed out into the front yard to see Jane mount and take +her first lesson. + +"This is Polly," said Larry. "She has taught us all to ride, and +though she has lost her shape a bit, she has still 'pep' enough to +decline to take a dare." + +"What do I do?" said Jane, gazing fearfully at the fat and +shapeless Polly. + +"There is just one rule in learning to ride," said Larry, "step on +and stick there. Polly will look after the rest." + +"Step on--it is easy to say, but--" + +"This way," said Nora. She seized hold of the horn of the saddle, +put her foot into the stirrup and sprang upon Polly's back. "Oh, +there's where the pants come in," she added as her dress caught on +to the rear of the saddle. "Now up you go. Make up your mind you +are going to DO it, not going to TRY." + +A look of serious determination came into Jane's face, a look that +her friends would have recognised as the precursor of a resolute +and determined attempt to achieve the thing in hand. She seized +the horn of the saddle, put her foot into the stirrup and "stepped +on." + +The riding lesson was an unqualified success, though for some +reason, known only to herself, Polly signalised the event by +promptly running away immediately her head was turned homeward, and +coming back down the lane at a thundering gallop. + +"Hello!" cried Nora, running out to meet them. "Why, Jane, you +have been fooling us all along. You needn't tell me this is your +first ride." + +"My very first," said Jane, "but I hope not my last." + +"But, my dear," said Mrs. Gwynne, who had also come out to see the +return, "you are doing famously." + +"Am I?" cried Jane, her face aglow and her eyes shining. "I think +it is splendid. Shall we ride again to-day, Larry?" + +"Right away after breakfast and all day long if you like. You are +a born horsewoman, Jane." + +"Weren't you afraid when Polly ran off with you like that?" +inquired Nora. + +"Afraid? I didn't know there was any danger. Was there any?" +inquired Jane. + +"Not a bit," said Nora, "so long as you kept your head." + +"But there really was no danger, was there, Larry?" insisted Jane. + +"None at all, Jane," said Nora, "I assure you. Larry got rattled +when he saw you tear off in that wild fashion, but I knew you would +be all right. Come in; breakfast is ready." + +"And so am I," said Jane. "I haven't been so hungry I don't know +when." + +"Why, she's not plain-looking after all," said Nora to her mother +as Jane strode manlike off to her room. + +"Plain-looking?" exclaimed her mother. "I never thought her plain- +looking. She has that beauty that shines from within, a beauty +that never fades, but grows with every passing year." + +A council of war was called by Nora immediately after breakfast, at +which plans were discussed for the best employment of the three +precious days during which the visitors were to be at the ranch. +There were so many things to be done that unless some system were +adopted valuable time would be wasted. + +"It appears to me, Miss Nora," said Dr. Brown after a somewhat +prolonged discussion, "that to accomplish all the things that you +have suggested, and they all seem not only delightful but necessary, +we shall require at least a month of diligent application." + +"At the very least," cried Nora. + +"So what are we going to do?" said the doctor. + +It was finally decided that the Browns should extend their stay at +Lakeside House for a week, after which the doctor should proceed to +the coast and be met on his return at Banff by Jane, with Nora as +her guest. + +"Then that's all settled," said Larry. "Now what's for to-day?" + +As if in answer to that question a honk of a motor car was heard +outside. Nora rushed to the door, saying, "That's Mrs. Waring- +Gaunt." But she returned hastily with heightened colour. + +"Larry," she said, "it's that Mr. Wakeham." + +"Wakeham," cried Larry. "What's got him up so early, I wonder?" +with a swift look at Jane. + +"I wonder," said Nora, giving Jane a little dig. + +"I thought I would just run up and see if you had all got home +safely last night," they heard his great voice booming outside to +Larry. + +"My, but he is anxious," said Nora. + +"But who is he, Nora?" inquired her mother. + +"A friend of Jane's, and apparently terribly concerned about her +welfare." + +"Stop, Nora," said Jane, flushing a fiery red. "Don't be silly. +He is a young man whom we met on the train, Mrs. Gwynne, a friend +of some of our Winnipeg friends." + +"We shall be very glad to have him stay with us, my dear," said +Mrs. Gwynne. "Go and bring him in." + +"Go on, Jane," said Nora. + +"Now, Nora, stop it," said Jane. "I will get really cross with +you. Hush, there he is." + +The young man seemed to fill up the door with his bulk. "Mr. +Wakeham," said Larry, as the young fellow stood looking around on +the group with a frank, expansive smile upon his handsome face. As +his eye fell upon a little lady the young man seemed to come to +attention. Insensibly he appeared to assume an attitude of greater +respect as he bowed low over her hand. + +"I hope you will pardon my coming here so early in the morning," he +said with an embarrassed air. "I have the honour of knowing your +guests." + +"Any friend of our guests is very welcome here, Mr. Wakeham," said +Mrs. Gwynne, smiling at him with gentle dignity. + +"Good morning, Mr. Wakeham," said Jane, coming forward with +outstretched hand. "You are very early in your calls. You could +not have slept very much." + +"No, indeed," replied Mr. Wakeham, "and that is one reason why I +waked so early. My bed was not so terribly attractive." + +"Oh," exclaimed Nora in a disappointed tone, as she shook hands +with him, "we thought you were anxious to see us." + +"Quite right," said the young man, holding her hand and looking +boldly into her eyes. "I have come to see you." + +Before his look Nora's saucy eyes fell and for some unaccountable +reason her usually ready speech forsook her. Mr. Wakeham fell into +easy conversation with Mr. Gwynne and Dr. Brown concerning mining +matters, in which he was especially interested. He had spent an +hour about the Manor Mine and there he had heard a good deal about +Mr. Gwynne's mine and was anxious to see that if there were no +objections. He wondered if he might drive Mr. Gwynne--and indeed, +he had a large car and would be glad to fill it up with a party if +any one cared to come. He looked at Mrs. Gwynne as he spoke. + +"Yes, Mother, you go. It is such a lovely day," said Nora +enthusiastically, "and Jane can go with you." + +"Jane is going riding," said Larry firmly. + +"I am going to Mrs. Waring-Gaunt's," said Jane. "I arranged with +her last night." + +While they were settling Mrs. Gwynne's protests, and covered by the +noise of conversation, Mr. Wakeham managed to get close to Nora. +"I want you to come," he said in a low voice. "That's what I came +for." + +Startled and confused by this extraordinary announcement, Nora +could think of no answer. + +"I think you were to show me the mine," he added. Then while Nora +gasped at him, he said aloud, "My car is a seven passenger, so we +can take quite a party." + +"Why not Kathleen?" suggested Jane. + +"Yes, indeed, Kathleen might like to go," said Mrs. Gwynne. + +"Then let's all go," cried Nora. + +"Thank you awfully," murmured Mr. Wakeham. "We shall only be two +or three hours at most," continued Nora. "We shall be back in time +for lunch." + +"For that matter," said Mr. Gwynne, "we can lunch at the mine." + +"Splendid," cried Nora. "Come along. We'll run up with you to the +Waring-Gaunts' for Kathleen," she added to Mr. Wakeham. + +At the Waring-Gaunts' they had some difficulty persuading Kathleen +to join the party, but under the united influence of Jack and his +sister, she agreed to go. + +"Now then," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, "you have your full party, Mr. +Wakeham--Mr. and Mrs. Gwynne, Dr. Brown, and the three girls." + +"What about me?" said Larry dolefully. + +"I shall stay with you," cried Nora, evading Mr. Wakeham's eyes. + +"No, Nora," said Jane in a voice of quiet decision. "Last night +Mrs. Waring-Gaunt and I arranged that I should visit her to-day." + +There was a loud chorus of protests, each one making an alternative +suggestion during which Jane went to Mrs. Waring-Gaunt's side and +said quietly, "I want to stay with you to-day." + +"All right, dear," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "Stay you shall." And, +then to the company announced, "We have it all arranged. Jane and +I are to have a visit together. The rest of you go off." + +"And what about me, Jane?" again said Larry. + +"You are going with the others," said Jane calmly, "and in the +afternoon we are to have our ride." + +"And this is Jane," said Jack Romayne as Mrs. Waring-Gaunt ushered +the girl into his room. "If half of what I have heard is true then +I am a lucky man to-day. Kathleen has been telling me about you." + +Jane's smile expressed her delight. "I think I could say the same +of you, Mr. Romayne." + +"What? Has Kathleen been talking about me?" + +"No, I have not seen Kathleen since I came, but there are others, +you know." + +"Are there?" asked Jack. "I hadn't noticed. But I know all about +you." + +It was a hasty introduction for Jane. Kathleen was easily a +subject for a day's conversation. How long she discoursed upon +Kathleen neither of them knew. But when Mrs. Waring-Gaunt had +finished up her morning household duties Jane was still busy +dilating upon Kathleen's charms and graces and expatiating upon her +triumphs and achievements during her stay in Winnipeg the previous +winter. + +"Still upon Kathleen?" inquired Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. + +"Oh, I am learning a great deal and enjoying myself immensely," +said Jack. + +"You must be careful, Jane. Don't tell Jack everything about +Kathleen. There are certain things we keep to ourselves, you know. +I don't tell Tom everything." + +Jane opened her eyes. "I have not told Jane yet, Sybil," said Jack +quietly. "She doesn't know, though perhaps she has guessed how +dear to me Kathleen is." + +"Had you not heard?" inquired Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. + +"No, I only came last night, you see." Then turning to Jack, she +added, "And is--is Kathleen going to marry you?" Her astonishment +was evident in her voice and eyes. + +"I hope so," said Jack, "and you are no more astonished than I am +myself. I only found it out night before last." + +It was characteristic of Jane that she sat gazing at him in +silence; her tongue had not learned the trick of easy compliment. +She was trying to take in the full meaning of this surprising +announcement. + +"Well?" said Jack after he had waited for some moments. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon," she said hurriedly. "I congratulate you. +I think you are a very lucky man." + +"I am, indeed," said Jack with emphasis. "And Kathleen? You are +not so sure about her luck?" + +"Well, I don't know you yet," said Jane gravely, "and Kathleen is a +very lovely girl, the very loveliest girl I know." + +"You are quite right," said Jack in a tone as grave as her own. "I +am not good enough for her." + +"Oh, I did not say that. Only I don't know you, and you see I know +Kathleen. She is so lovely and so good. I love her." Jane's face +was earnest and grave. + +"And so do I, Jane, if I may call you so," said Jack, "and I am +going to try to be worthy of her." + +Jane's eyes rested quietly on his face. She made up her mind that +it was an honest face and a face one could trust, but to Jane it +seemed as if something portentous had befallen her friend and she +could not bring herself immediately to accept this new situation +with an outburst of joyous acclaim such as ordinarily greets an +announcement of this kind. For a reason she could not explain her +mind turned to the memory she cherished of her own mother and of +the place she had held with her father. She wondered if this man +could give to Kathleen a place so high and so secure in his heart. +While her eyes were on his face Jack could see that her mind was +far away. She was not thinking of him. + +"What is it, Jane?" he said gently. + +Jane started and the blood rushed to her face. She hesitated, then +said quietly but with charming frankness, "I was thinking of my +mother. She died when I was two years old. Father says I am like +her. But I am not at all. She was very lovely. Kathleen makes me +think of her, and father often tells me about her. He has never +forgotten her. You see I think he loved her in quite a wonderful +way, and he--" Jane paused abruptly. + +Mrs. Waring-Gaunt rose quietly, came to her side. "Dear Jane, dear +child," she said, kissing her. "That's the only way to love. I am +sure your mother was a lovely woman, and a very happy woman, and +you are like her." + +But Jack kept his face turned away from them. + +"Oh, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt," cried Jane, shaking her head emphatically, +"I am not the least bit like her. That is one of the points on +which I disagree with father. We do not agree upon everything, you +know." + +"No? What are some of the other points?" + +"We agree splendidly about Kathleen," said Jane, laughing. "Just +now we differ about Germany." + +"Aha, how is that?" inquired Jack, immediately alert. + +"Of course, I know very little about it, you understand, but last +winter our minister, Mr. McPherson, who had just been on a visit to +Germany the summer before, gave a lecture in which he said that +Germany had made enormous preparations for war and was only waiting +a favourable moment to strike. Papa says that is all nonsense." + +"Oh, Jane, Jane," cried Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, "you have struck upon a +very sore spot in this house. Jack will indorse all your minister +said. He will doubtless go much further." + +"What did he say, Jane?" inquired Jack. + +"He was greatly in earnest and he urged preparation by Canada. He +thinks we ought at the very least to begin getting our fleet ready +right away." + +"That's politics, of course," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, "and I do +not know what you are." + +"I am not sure that I do either," she replied, "but I believe too +that Canada ought to get at her fleet without loss of time." + +"But what did he say about Germany?" continued Jack. + +"I can't tell you everything, of course, but he assured us that +Germany had made the greatest possible preparation, that the +cities, towns and villages were full of drilling men; that there +were great stores of war material, guns and shells, everywhere +throughout Germany; that they were preparing fleets of Zeppelins +and submarines too; that they were ready to march at twenty-four +hours' notice; that the whole railroad system of Germany was +organised, was really built for war; that within the last few years +the whole nation had come to believe that Germany must go to war in +order to fulfil her great destiny. Father says that this is all +foolish talk, and that all this war excitement is prompted chiefly +by professional soldiers, like Lord Roberts and others, and by +armament makers like the Armstrongs and the Krupps." + +"What do you think about it all, Jane?" inquired Jack, looking at +her curiously. + +"Well, he had spent some months in Germany and had taken pains +to inquire of all kinds of people, officers and professors and +preachers and working people and politicians, and so I think he +ought to know better than others who just read books and the +newspapers, don't you think so?" + +"I think you are entirely right, and I hope that minister of yours +will deliver that lecture in many places throughout this country, +for there are not many people, even in England, who believe in the +reality of the German menace. But this is my hobby, my sister +says, and I don't want to bore you." + +"But I am really interested, Mr. Romayne. Papa laughs at me, and +Larry too. He does not believe in the possibility of war. But I +think that if there is a chance, even the slightest chance, of it +being true, it is so terrible that we all ought to be making +preparation to defend ourselves." + +"Well, if it won't bore you," said Jack, "I shall tell you a few +things." + +"Then excuse me," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "I have some matters to +attend to. I have no doubt that you at least, Jack, will have a +perfectly lovely time." + +"I am sure I shall too," cried Jane enthusiastically. "I just want +to hear about this." + +"Will you please pass me that green book?" said Jack, after Mrs. +Waring-Gaunt had left the room. "No, the next one. Yes. The +first thing that it is almost impossible for us Britishers to get +into our minds is this, that Germany, not simply the Kaiser and the +governing classes, but the whole body of the German people, take +themselves and their empire and their destiny with most amazing +seriousness. Listen to this, for instance. This will give you, I +say, the psychological condition out of which war may easily and +naturally arise." He turned the leaves of the book and read: + +"'To live and expand at the expense of other less meritorious +peoples finds its justification in the conviction that we are of +all people the most noble and the most pure, destined before others +to work for the highest development of humanity.' + +"One of their poets--I haven't got him here--speaks of the 'German +life curing all the evils of humanity by mere contact with it.' +You see that row of books? These are only a few. Most of them are +German. They are all by different authors and on different +subjects, but they are quite unanimous in setting forth the German +ideal, the governing principle of German World politics. They are +filled with the most unbelievable glorification of Germany and the +German people, and the most extraordinary prophecies as to her +wonderful destiny as a World Power. Unhappily the German has no +sense of humour. A Britisher talking in this way about his country +would feel himself to be a fool. Not so the German. With a +perfectly serious face he will attribute to himself and to his +nation all the virtues in the calendar. For instance, listen to +this: + +"'Domination belongs to Germany because it is a superior nation, a +noble race, and it is fitting that it should control its neighbours +just as it is the right and duty of every individual endowed with +superior intellect and force to control inferior individuals about +him.' + +"Here's another choice bit: + +"'We are the superior race in the fields of science and of art. We +are the best colonists, the best sailors, the best merchants.' + +"That's one thing. Then here's another. For many years after his +accession I believe the Kaiser was genuinely anxious to preserve +the peace of Europe and tried his best to do so, though I am bound +to say that at times he adopted rather peculiar methods, a mingling +of bullying and intrigue. But now since 1904--just hand me that +thin book, please. Thank you--the Kaiser has changed his tone. +For instance, listen to this: + +"'God has called us to civilise the world. We are the missionaries +of human progress.' + +"And again this: + +"'The German people will be the block of granite on which our Lord +will be able to elevate and achieve the civilisation of the world.' + +"But I need not weary you with quotations. The political literature +of Germany for the last fifteen years is saturated with this spirit. +The British people dismiss this with a good-natured smile of +contempt. To them it is simply an indication of German bad +breeding. If you care I shall have a number of these books sent +you. They are somewhat difficult to get. Indeed, some of them +cannot be had in English at all. But you read German, do you not? +Kathleen told me about your German prize." + +"I do, a little. But I confess I prefer the English," said Jane +with a little laugh. + +"The chief trouble, however, is that so few English-speaking people +care to read them. But I assure you that the one all-absorbing +topic of the German people is this one of Germany's manifest +destiny to rule and elevate the world. And remember these two +things go together. They have no idea of dominating the world +intellectually or even commercially--but perhaps you are sick of +this." + +"Not at all. I am very greatly interested," said Jane. + +"Then I shall just read you one thing more. The German has no idea +that he can benefit a nation until he conquers it. Listen to this: + +"'The dominion of German thought can only be extended under the +aegis of political power, and unless we act in conformity to this +idea we shall be untrue to out great duties toward the human +race.'" + +"I shall be very glad to get those books," said Jane, "and I wish +you would mark some of these passages. And I promise you I shall +do all I can to make all my friends read them. I shall begin with +Papa and Larry. They are always making fun of me and my German +scare." + +"I can quite understand that," replied Jack. "That is a very +common attitude with a great majority of the people of England to- +day. But you see I have been close to these things for years, and +I have personal knowledge of many of the plans and purposes in the +minds of the German Kaiser and the political and military leaders +of Germany, and unhappily I know too the spirit that dominates the +whole body of the German people." + +"You lived in Germany for some years?" + +"Yes, for a number of years." + +"And did you like the life there?" + +"In many ways I did. I met some charming Germans, and then there +is always their superb music." + +And for an hour Jack Romayne gave his listener a series of vivid +pictures of his life in Germany and in other lands for the past ten +years, mingling with personal reminiscences incidents connected +with international politics and personages. He talked well, not +only because his subject was a part of himself, but also because +Jane possessed that rare ability to listen with intelligence and +sympathy. Never had she met with a man who had been in such +intimate touch with the world's Great Affairs and who was possessed +at the same time of such brilliant powers of description. + +Before either of them was aware the party from the mine had +returned. + +"We have had a perfectly glorious time," cried Nora as she entered +the room with her cheeks and eyes glowing. + +"So have we, Miss Nora," said Jack. "In fact, I had not the +slightest idea of the flight of time." + +"You may say so," exclaimed Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "These two have +been so utterly absorbed in each other that my presence in the room +or absence from it was a matter of perfect indifference. And how +Jane managed it I don't know, but she got Jack to do for her what +he has never done for me. He has actually been giving her the +story of his life." + +Jane stood by listening with a smile of frank delight on her face. + +"How did you do it, Jane?" asked Kathleen shyly. "He has never +told me." + +"Oh, I just listened," said Jane. + +"That's a nasty jar for you others," said Nora. + +"But he told me something else, Kathleen," said Jane with a bright +blush, "and I am awfully glad." As she spoke she went around to +Kathleen and, kissing her, said, "It is perfectly lovely for you +both." + +"Oh, you really mean that, do you?" said Jack. "You know she was +exceedingly dubious of me this morning." + +"Well, I am not now," said Jane. "I know you better, you see." + +"Thank God," said Jack fervently. "The day has not been lost. You +will be sure to come again to see me," he added as Jane said good- +bye. + +"Yes, indeed, you may be quite sure of that," replied Jane, smiling +brightly back at him as she left the room with Nora. + +"What a pity she is so plain," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt when she had +returned from seeing Jane on her way with Nora and Mr. Wakeham. + +"My dear Sybil, you waste your pity," said her brother. "That +young lady is so attractive that one forgets whether she is plain +or not. I can't quite explain her fascination for me. There's +perfect sincerity to begin with. She is never posing. And perfect +simplicity. And besides that she is so intellectually keen, she +keeps one alive." + +"I just love her," said Kathleen. "She has such a good heart." + +"You have said it," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, "and that is why Jane +will never lose her charm." + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE TRAGEDIES OF LOVE + + +When the week had fled Dr. Brown could hardly persuade himself and +his hosts at Lakeside Farm that the time had come for his departure +to the coast. Not since he had settled down to the practice of his +profession at Winnipeg more than twenty years ago had such a +holiday been his. Alberta, its climate, its life of large spaces +and far visions, its hospitable people, had got hold of him by so +strong a grip that in parting he vowed that he would not await an +opportunity but make one to repeat his visit to the ranch. And so +he departed with the understanding that Jane should follow him to +Banff ten days later with her friend Nora. + +The ten days were to Jane as a radiant, swiftly moving dream. Yet +with so much to gratify her, one wish had remained ungratified. +Though from early morning until late night she had ridden the +ranges now with one and now with another, but for the most part +with Larry, Jane had never "done the mine." + +"And I just know I shall go away without seeing that mine, and +Winnipeg people will be sure to ask me about it, and what shall I +say? And I have never seen that wonderful secretary, Mr. Switzer, +either." + +"To-morrow," said Larry solemnly, "no matter what happens we shall +have you see that mine and the wonderful Mr. Switzer." + +It was the seeing of Mr. Switzer that brought to Jane the only +touch of tragedy to the perfect joy of her visit to Alberta. Upon +arrival at the mine she was given over by Larry to Mr. Switzer's +courteous and intelligent guidance, and with an enthusiasm that +never wearied, her guide left nothing of the mine outside or in, to +which with painstaking minuteness he failed to call her attention. +It was with no small degree of pride that Mr. Switzer explained all +that had been accomplished during the brief ten weeks during which +the mine had been under his care. For although it was quite true +that Mr. Steinberg was the manager, Switzer left no doubt in Jane's +mind, as there was none in his own, that the mine owed its present +state of development to his driving energy and to his organising +ability. Jane readily forgave him his evident pride in himself as +he exclaimed, sweeping his hand toward the little village that lay +along the coolee, + +"Ten weeks ago, Miss Brown, there was nothing here but a little +black hole in the hillside over there. To-day look at it. We have +a company organised, a village built and equipped with modern +improvements, water, light, drainage, etc. We are actually digging +and shipping coal. It is all very small as yet, but it is +something to feel that a beginning has been made." + +"I think it is really quite a remarkable achievement, Mr. Switzer. +And I feel sure that I do not begin to know all that this means. +They all say that you have accomplished great things in the short +time you have been at work." + +"We are only beginning," said Switzer again, "but I believe we +shall have a great mine. It will be a good thing--for the Gwynnes, +I mean--and that is worth while. Of course, my own money is +invested here too and I am working for myself, but I assure you +that I chiefly think of them. It is a joy, Miss Brown, to work for +those you love." + +"It is," replied Jane, slightly puzzled at this altruistic point of +view; "The Gwynnes are dear people and I am glad for their sakes. +I love them." + +"Yes," continued Switzer, "this will be a great mine. They will be +wealthy some day." + +"That will be splendid," said Jane. "You see I have only got to +know them well during this visit. Nine years ago I met them in +Winnipeg when I was a little girl. Of course, Kathleen was with us +a great deal last winter. I got to know her well then. She is so +lovely, and she is lovelier now than ever. She is so happy, you +know." + +Switzer looked puzzled. "Happy? Because you are here?" + +"No, no. Because of her engagement. Haven't you heard? I thought +everybody knew." + +Switzer stood still in his tracks. "Her engagement?" he said in a +hushed voice. "Her engagement to--to that"--he could not apparently +get the word out without a great effort--"that Englishman?" + +Looking at his white face and listening to his tense voice, Jane +felt as if she were standing at the edge of a mine that might +explode at any moment. + +"Yes, to Mr. Romayne," she said, and waited, almost holding her +breath. + +"It is not true!" he shouted. "It's a lie. Ha, Ha." Switzer's +laugh was full of incredulous scorn. "Engaged? And how do YOU +know?" He swung fiercely upon her, his eyes glaring out of a face +ghastly white. + +"I am sorry I said anything, Mr. Switzer. It was not my business +to speak of it," said Jane quietly. "But I thought you knew." + +Gradually the thing seemed to reach his mind. "Your business?" he +said. "What difference whose business it is? It is not true. I +say it is not true. How do you know? Tell me. Tell me. Tell +me." He seized her by the arm, and at each "Tell me" shook her +violently. + +"You are hurting me, Mr. Switzer," said Jane. + +He dropped her arm. "Then, my God, will you not tell me? How do +you know?" + +"Mr. Switzer, believe me it is true," said Jane, trying to speak +quietly, though she was shaking with excitement and terror. "Mr. +Romayne told me, they all told me, Kathleen told me. It is quite +true, Mr. Switzer." + +He stared at her as if trying to take in the meaning of her words, +then glared around him like a hunted animal seeking escape from a +ring of foes, then back at her again. There were workmen passing +close to them on the path, but he saw nothing of them. Jane was +looking at his ghastly face. She was stricken with pity for him. + +"Shall we walk on this way?" she said, touching his arm. + +He shook off her touch but followed her away from the busy track of +the workers, along a quieter path among the trees. Sheltered from +observation, she slowed her steps and turned towards him. + +"She loves him?" he said in a low husky voice. "You say she loves +him?" + +"Yes, Mr. Switzer, she loves him," said Jane. "She cannot help +herself. No one can help one's self. You must not blame her for +that, Mr. Switzer." + +"She does not love me," said Switzer as if stunned by the utterly +inexplicable phenomenon. "But she did once," he cried. "She did +before that schwein came." No words could describe the hate and +contempt in his voice. He appeared to concentrate his passions +struggling for expression, love, rage, hate, wounded pride, into +one single stream of fury. Grinding his teeth, foaming, sputtering, +he poured forth his words in an impetuous torrent. + +"He stole her from me! this schwein of an Englishman! He came like +a thief, like a dog and a dog's son and stole her! She was mine! +She would have been mine! She loved me! She was learning to love +me. I was too quick with her once, but she had forgiven me and was +learning to love me. But this pig!" He gnashed his teeth upon the +word. + +"Stop, Mr. Switzer," said Jane, controlling her agitation and her +terror. "You must not speak to me like that. You are forgetting +yourself." + +"Forgetting myself!" he raged, his face livid blue and white. +"Forgetting myself! Yes, yes! I forget everything but one thing. +That I shall not forget. I shall not forget him nor how he stole +her from me. Gott in Himmel! Him I shall never forget. No, when +these hairs are white," he struck his head with his clenched fist, +"I shall still remember and curse him." Abruptly he stayed the +rush of his words. Then more deliberately but with an added +intensity of passion he continued, "But no, never shall he have +her. Never. God hears me. Never. Him I will kill, destroy." He +had wrought himself up into a paroxysm of uncontrollable fury, his +breath came in jerking gasps, his features worked with convulsive +twitchings, his jaws champed and snapped upon his words like a +dog's worrying rats. + +To Jane it seemed a horrible and repulsive sight, yet she could not +stay her pity from him. She remembered it was love that had moved +him to this pitch of madness. Love after all was a terrible thing. +She could not despise him. She could only pity. Her very silence +at length recalled him. For some moments he stood struggling to +regain his composure. Gradually he became aware that her eyes were +resting on his face. The pity in her eyes touched him, subdued +him, quenched the heat of his rage. + +"I have lost her," he said, his lips quivering. "She will never +change." + +"No, she will never change," replied Jane gently. "But you can +always love her. And she will be happy." + +"She will be happy?" he exclaimed, looking at her in astonishment. +"But she will not be mine." + +"No, she will not be yours," said Jane still very gently, "but she +will be happy, and after all, that is what you most want. You are +anxious chiefly that she shall be happy. You would give everything +to make her happy." + +"I would give my life. Oh, gladly, gladly, I would give my life, I +would give my soul, I would give everything I have on earth and +heaven too." + +"Then don't grieve too much," said Jane, putting her hand on his +arm. "She will be happy." + +"But what of me?" he cried pitifully, his voice and lips trembling +like those of a little child in distress. "Shall I be happy?" + +"No, not now," replied Jane steadily, striving to keep back her +tears, "perhaps some day. But you will think more of her happiness +than of your own. Love, you know, seeks to make happy rather than +to be happy." + +For some moments the man stood as if trying to understand what she +had said. Then with a new access of grief and rage, he cried, "But +my God! My God! I want her. I cannot live without her. I could +make her happy too." + +"No, never," said Jane. "She loves him." + +"Ach--so. Yes, she loves him, and I--hate him. He is the cause of +this. Some day I will kill him. I will kill him." + +"Then she would never be happy again," said Jane, and her face was +full of pain and of pity. + +"Go away," he said harshly. "Go away. You know not what you say. +Some day I shall make him suffer as I suffer to-day. God hears me. +Some day." He lifted his hands high above his head. Then with a +despairing cry, "Oh, I have lost her, I have lost her," he turned +from Jane and rushed into the woods. + +Shaken, trembling and penetrated with pity for him, Jane made her +way toward the office, near which she found Larry with the manager +discussing an engineering problem which appeared to interest them +both. + +"Where's Ernest?" inquired Larry. + +"He has just gone," said Jane, struggling to speak quietly. "I +think we must hurry, Larry. Come, please. Good-bye, Mr. Steinberg." +She hurried away toward the horses, leaving Larry to follow. + +"What is it, Jane?" said Larry when they were on their way. + +"Why didn't you tell me, Larry, that he was fond of Kathleen?" she +cried indignantly. "I hurt him terribly, and, oh, it was awful to +see a man like that." + +"What do you say? Did he cut up rough?" said Larry. + +Jane made no reply, but her face told its own story of shock and +suffering. + +"He need not have let out upon you, Jane, anyway," said Larry. + +"Don't, Larry. You don't understand. He loves Kathleen. You +don't know anything about it. How can you?" + +"Oh, he will get over it in time," said Larry with a slight laugh. + +Jane flashed on him a look of indignation. "Oh, how can you, +Larry? It was just terrible to see him. But you do not know," she +added with a touch of bitterness unusual with her. + +"One thing I do know," said Larry. "I would not pour out my grief +on some one else. I would try to keep it to myself." + +But Jane refused to look at him or to speak again on the matter. +Never in her sheltered life had there been anything suggesting +tragedy. Never had she seen a strong man stricken to the heart as +she knew this man to be stricken. The shadow of that tragedy +stayed with her during all the remaining days of her visit. The +sight of Kathleen's happy face never failed to recall the face of +the man who loved her distorted with agony and that cry of despair, +"I have lost her, I have lost her." + +Not that her last days at the ranch were not happy days. She was +far too healthy and wholesome, far too sane to allow herself to +miss the gladness of those last few days with her friends where +every moment offered its full measure of joy. Nora would have +planned a grand picnic for the last day on which the two households, +including Jack Romayne, who by this time was quite able to go about, +were to pay a long-talked-of visit to a famous canyon in the +mountains. The party would proceed to the canyon in the two cars, +for Mr. Wakeham's car and Mr. Wakeham's person as driver had been +constantly at the service of the Gwynnes and their guests during +their stay at the farm. + +"But that is our very last day, Nora," said Jane. + +"Well, that's just why," replied Nora. "We shall wind up our +festivities in one grand, glorious finale." + +But the wise mother interposed. "It is a long ride, Nora, and you +don't want to be too tired for your journey. I think the very last +day we had better spend quietly at home." + +Jane's eyes flashed upon her a grateful look. And so it came that +the grand finale was set back to the day before the last, and +proved to be a gloriously enjoyable if exhausting outing. The last +day was spent by Nora in making preparations for her visit with +Jane to Banff and in putting the final touches to such household +tasks as might help to lessen somewhat the burden for those who +would be left behind. Jane spent the morning in a farewell visit +to the Waring-Gaunts', which she made in company with Kathleen. + +"I hope, my dear Jane, you have enjoyed your stay with us here at +Wolf Willow," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt as Jane was saying good-bye. + +"I have been very happy," said Jane. "Never in my life have I had +such a happy time." + +"Now it is good of you to say that," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "You +have made us all love you." + +"Quite true," said her husband. "Repetition of the great Caesar's +experience veni vidi vici, eh? What?" + +"So say I," said Jack Romayne. "It has been a very real pleasure +to know you, Jane. For my part, I shan't forget your visit to me, +and the talks we have had together." + +"You have all been good to me. I cannot tell you how I feel about +it." Jane's voice was a little tremulous, but her smile was as +bright as ever. "I don't believe I shall ever have such a +perfectly happy visit again." + +"What nonsense, my dear," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "I predict many, +many very happy days for you. You have that beautiful gift of +bringing your joy with you." + +Jack accompanied them on their way to the road. "Kathleen and I +are hoping that perhaps you may be able to come to our wedding. It +will be very soon--in a few weeks." + +"Yes, could you, Jane, dear?" said Kathleen. "We should like it +above everything else. I know it is a long, long journey, but if +you could." + +"When is it to be?" said Jane. + +"Somewhere about the middle of October." But Jane shook her head +disconsolately. By that time she knew she would be deep in her +university work, and with Jane work ever came before play. + +"I am afraid not," she said. "But, oh, I do wish you all the +happiness in the world. Nothing has ever made me so glad. Oh, but +you will be happy, I know. Both of you are so lovely." A sudden +rush of tears filled the deep dark eyes as she shook hands with +Jack in farewell. "But," she cried in sudden rapture, "why not +come to us for a day on your wedding trip?" + +"That's a splendid idea." For a moment or two Jack and Kathleen +stood looking at each other. + +"Jane, we shall surely come. You may count on us," said Jack. + +In the afternoon Mrs. Gwynne sent Jane away for a ride with Larry. + +"Just go quietly, Larry," said his mother. "Don't race and don't +tire Jane." + +"I will take care of her," said Larry, "but I won't promise that we +won't race. Jane would not stand for that, you know. Besides she +is riding Ginger, and Ginger is not exactly like old Polly. But +never fear, we shall have a good ride, Mother," he added, waving +his hand gaily as they rode away, taking the coolee trail to the +timber lot. + +Larry was in high spirits. He talked of his work for the winter. +He was hoping great things from this his last year in college. For +the first time in his university career he would be able to give +the full term to study. He would be a couple of weeks late on +account of Kathleen's marriage, but he would soon make that up. He +had his work well in hand and this year he meant to do something +worth while. "I should like to take that medal home to Mother," he +said with a laugh. "I just fancy I see her face. She would try +awfully hard not to seem proud, but she would just be running over +with it." Jane gave, as ever, a sympathetic hearing but she had +little to say, even less than was usual with her. Her smile, +however, was as quick and as bright as ever, and Larry chattered on +beside her apparently unaware of her silence. Up the coolee and +through the woods and back by the dump their trail led them. On +the way home they passed the Switzer house. + +"Have you seen Mr. Switzer?" said Jane. + +"No, by Jove, he hasn't been near us for a week, has he?" replied +Larry. + +"Poor man, I feel so sorry for him," said Jane. + +"Oh, he will be all right. He is busy with his work. He is +awfully keen about that mine of his, and once the thing is over-- +after Kathleen is married, I mean--it will be different." + +Jane rode on in silence for some distance. Then she said, + +"I wonder how much you know about it, Larry. I don't think you +know the very least bit." + +"Well, perhaps not," said Larry cheerfully, "but they always get +over it." + +"Oh, do they?" said Jane. "I wonder." + +And again she rode on listening in silence to Larry's chatter. + +"You will have a delightful visit at Banff, Jane. Do you know +Wakeham is going to motor up? He is to meet his father there. He +asked me to go with him," and as he spoke Larry glanced at her +face. + +"That would be splendid for you, Larry," she said, "but you +couldn't leave them at home with all the work going on, could you?" + +"No," said Larry gloomily, "I do not suppose I could. But I think +you might have let me say that." + +"But it is true, isn't it, Larry?" said Jane. + +"Yes, it's true, and there's no use talking about it, and so I told +him. But," he said, cheering up again, "I have been having a +holiday these two weeks since you have been here." + +"I know," said Jane remorsefully, "we must have cut into your work +dreadfully." + +"Yes, I have loafed a bit, but it was worth while. What a jolly +time we have had! At least, I hope you have had, Jane." + +"You don't need to ask me, do you, Larry?" + +"I don't know. You are so dreadfully secretive as to your feelings, +one never knows about you." + +"Now, you are talking nonsense," replied Jane hotly. "You know +quite well that I have enjoyed every minute of my visit here." + +They rode in silence for some time, then Larry said, "Jane, you are +the best chum a fellow ever had. You never expect a chap to pay +you special attention or make love to you. There is none of that +sort of nonsense about you, is there?" + +"No, Larry," said Jane simply, but she kept her face turned away +from him. + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS + + +The results of the University examinations filled three sheets of +the Winnipeg morning papers. With eager eyes and anxious hearts +hundreds of the youth of Manitoba and the other western provinces +scanned these lists. It was a veritable Day of Judgment, a day of +glad surprises for the faithful in duty and the humble in heart, a +day of Nemesis for the vainly self-confident slackers who had +grounded their hopes upon eleventh hour cramming and lucky shots in +exam papers. There were triumphs which won universal approval, +others which received grudging praise. + +Of the former, none of those, in the Junior year at least, gave +more general satisfaction than did Jane Brown's in the winning of +the German prize over Heinrich Kellerman, and for a number of +reasons. In the first place Jane beat the German in his own +language, at his own game, so to speak. Then, too, Jane, while a +hard student, took her full share in college activities, and +carried through these such a spirit of generosity and fidelity as +made her liked and admired by the whole body of the students. +Kellerman, on the other hand, was of that species of student known +as a pot-hunter, who took no interest in college life, but devoted +himself solely to the business of getting for himself everything +that the college had to offer. + +Perhaps Jane alone, of his fellow students, gave a single thought +to the disappointment of the little Jew. She alone knew how keenly +he had striven for the prize, and how surely he had counted upon +winning it. She had the feeling, too, that somehow the class lists +did not represent the relative scholarship of the Jew and herself. +He knew more German than she. It was this feeling that prompted +her to write him a note which brought an answer in formal and +stilted English. + +"Dear Miss Brown," the answer ran, "I thank you for your beautiful +note, which is so much like yourself that in reading it I could see +your smile, which so constantly characterises you to all your +friends. I confess to disappointment, but the disappointment is +largely mitigated by the knowledge that the prize which I failed to +acquire went to one who is so worthy of it, and for whom I cherish +the emotions of profound esteem and good will. Your devoted and +disappointed rival, Heinrich Kellerman." + +"Rather sporting of him, isn't it?" said Jane to her friend Ethel +Murray, who had come to dinner. + +"Sporting?" said Ethel. "It is the last thing I would have said +about Kellerman." + +"That is the worst of prizes," said Jane, "some one has to lose." + +"Just the way I feel about Mr. MacLean," said Ethel. "He ought to +have had the medal and not I. He knows more philosophy in a minute +than I in a week." + +"Oh, I wouldn't say that," said Jane judicially. "And though I am +awfully glad you got it, Ethel, I am sorry for Mr. MacLean. You +know he is working his way through college, and has to keep up a +mission through the term. He is a good man." + +"Yes, he is good, a little too good," said Ethel, making a little +face. "Isn't it splendid about Larry Gwynne getting the +Proficiency, and the first in Engineering? Now he is what I call a +sport. Of course he doesn't go in for games much, but he's into +everything, the Lit., the Dramatic Society, and Scuddy says he +helped him tremendously with the Senior class in the Y. M. C. A. +work." + +"Yes," said Jane, "and the Register told Papa that the University +had never graduated such a brilliant student. And Ramsay Dunn +told me that he just ran the Athletic Association and was really +responsible for the winning of the track team." + +"What a pity about Ramsay Dunn," said Ethel. "He just managed to +scrape through. Do you know, the boys say he kept himself up +mostly on whiskey-and-sodas through the exams. He must be awfully +clever, and he is so good-looking." + +"Poor Ramsay," said Jane, "he has not had a very good chance. I +mean, he has too much money. He is coming to dinner to-night, +Ethel, and Frank Smart, too." + +"Oh, Frank Smart! They say he is doing awfully well. Father says +he is one of the coming men in his profession. He is a great +friend of yours, isn't he, Jane?" said Ethel, with a meaning smile. + +"We have known him a long time," said Jane, ignoring the smile. +"We think a great deal of him." + +"When have you seen Larry?" enquired Ethel. "He comes here a lot, +doesn't he?" + +"Yes. He says this is his Winnipeg home. I haven't seen him all +to-day." + +"You don't mean to tell me!" exclaimed Ethel. + +"I mean I haven't seen him to congratulate him on his medal. His +mother will be so glad." + +"You know his people, don't you? Tell me about them. You see, I +may as well confess to you that I have a fearful crush on Larry." + +"I know," said Jane sympathetically. + +"But," continued Ethel, "he is awfully difficult. His people are +ranching, aren't they? And poor, I understand." + +"Yes, they are ranching," said Jane, "and Larry has had quite a +hard time getting through. I had a lovely visit last fall with +them." + +"Oh, tell me about it!" exclaimed Ethel. "I heard a little, you +know, from Larry." + +For half an hour Jane dilated on her western visit to the Lakeside +Farm. + +"Oh, you lucky girl!" cried Ethel. "What a chance you had! To +think of it! Three weeks, lonely rides, moonlight, and not a soul +to butt in! Oh, Jane! I only wish I had had such a chance! Did +nothing happen, Jane? Oh, come on now, you are too awfully +oysteresque. Didn't he come across at all?" + +Jane's face glowed a dull red, but she made no pretence of failing +to understand Ethel's meaning. "Oh, there is no nonsense of that +kind with Larry," she said. "We are just good friends." + +"Good friends!" exclaimed Ethel indignantly. "That's just where he +is so awfully maddening. I can't understand him. He has lots of +red blood, and he is a sport, too. But somehow he never knows a +girl from her brother. He treats me just the way he treats Bruce +and Leslie. I often wonder what he would do if I kissed him. I've +tried squeezing his hand." + +"Have you?" said Jane, with a delighted laugh. "What did he do?" + +"Why, he never knew it. I could have killed him," said Ethel in +disgust. + +"He is going away to Chicago," said Jane abruptly, "to your +friends, the Wakehams. Mr. Wakeham is in mines, as you know. +Larry is to get two thousand dollars to begin with. It is a good +position, and I am glad for him. Oh, there I see Mr. MacLean and +Frank Smart coming in." + +When the party had settled down they discussed the Class lists and +prize winners till Dr. Brown appeared. + +"Shall we have dinner soon, Jane?" he said as she welcomed him. "I +wish to get through with my work early so as to take in the big +political meeting this evening. Mr. Allen is to speak and there is +sure to be a crowd." + +"I shall have it served at once, Papa. Larry is coming, but we +won't wait for him." + +They were half through dinner before Larry appeared. He came in +looking worn, pale and thinner even than usual. But there was a +gleam in his eye and an energy in his movements that indicated +sound and vigorous health. + +"You are not late, Larry," said Jane; "we are early. Papa is going +to the political meeting." + +"Good!" cried Larry. "So am I. You are going, Frank, and you, +MacLean?" + +"I don't know yet," said MacLean. + +"We are all due at Mrs. Allen's, Larry, you remember. It is a +party for the Graduating Class, too," said Jane. + +"So we are. But we can take in the political meeting first, eh, +Mac?" + +But MacLean glanced doubtfully at Ethel. + +"I have just had a go with Holtzman," said Larry, "the German +Socialist, you know. He was ramping and raging like a wild man +down in front of the post office. I know him quite well. He is +going to heckle Mr. Allen to-night." + +The girls were keen to take in the political meeting, but Larry +objected. + +"There will be a rough time, likely. It will be no place for +ladies. We will take you to the party, then join you again after +the meeting." + +The girls were indignant and appealed to Dr. Brown. + +"I think," said he, "perhaps you had better not go. The young +gentlemen can join you later, you know, at Allens' party." + +"Oh, we don't want them then," said Ethel, "and, indeed, we can go +by ourselves to the party." + +"Now, Ethel, don't be naughty," said Larry. + +"I shall be very glad to take you to the party, Miss Murray," said +MacLean. "I don't care so much for the meeting." + +"That will be fine, Mac!" exclaimed Larry enthusiastically. "In +this way neither they nor we will need to hurry." + +"Disgustingly selfish creature," said Ethel, making a face at him +across the table. + +Jane said nothing, but her face fell into firmer lines and her +cheeks took on a little colour. The dinner was cut short in order +to allow Dr. Brown to get through with his list of waiting +patients. + +"We have a few minutes, Ethel," said Larry. "Won't you give us a +little Chopin, a nocturne or two, or a bit of Grieg?" + +"Do, Ethel," said Jane, "although you don't deserve it, Larry. Not +a bit," she added. + +"Why, what have I done?" said Larry. + +"For one thing," said Jane, in a low, hurried voice, moving close +to him, "you have not given me a chance to congratulate you on your +medal. Where have you been all day?" + +The reproach in her eyes and voice stirred Larry to quick defence. +"I have been awfully busy, Jane," he said, "getting ready to go off +to-morrow. I got a telegram calling me to Chicago." + +"To Chicago? To-morrow?" said Jane, her eyes wide open with +surprise. "And you never came to tell me--to tell us? Why, we may +never see you again at all. But you don't care a bit, Larry," she +added. + +The bitterness in her voice was so unusual with Jane that Larry in +his astonishment found himself without reply. + +"Excuse me, Ethel," she said, "I must see Ann a minute." + +As she hurried from the room Larry thought he caught a glint of +tears in her eyes. He was immediately conscience-stricken and +acutely aware that he had not treated Jane with the consideration +that their long and unique friendship demanded. True, he had been +busy, but he could have found time for a few minutes with her. +Jane was no ordinary friend. He had not considered her and this +had deeply wounded her. And to-morrow he was going away, and going +away not to return. He was surprised at the quick stab of pain +that came with the thought that his days in Winnipeg were over. In +all likelihood his life's work would take him to Alberta. This +meant that when he left Winnipeg tomorrow there would be an end to +all that delightful comradeship with Jane which during the years of +his long and broken college course had formed so large a part of +his life, and which during the past winter had been closer and +dearer than ever. Their lives would necessarily drift apart. +Other friends would come in and preoccupy her mind and heart. Jane +had the art of making friends and of "binding her friends to her +with hooks of steel." He had been indulging the opinion that of +all her friends he stood first with her. Even if he were right, he +could not expect that this would continue. And now on their last +evening together, through his selfish stupidity, he had hurt her as +never in all the years they had been friends together. But Jane +was a sensible girl. He would make that right at once. She was +the one girl he knew that he could treat with perfect frankness. +Most girls were afraid, either that you were about to fall in love +with them, or that you would not. Neither one fear nor the other +disturbed the serenity of Jane's soul. + +As Jane re-entered the room, Larry sprang to meet her. "Jane," he +said in a low, eager tone, "I am going to take you to the party." + +But Jane was her own serene self again, and made answer, "There is +no need, Larry. Mr. MacLean will see us safely there, and after +the meeting you will come. We must go now, Ethel." There was no +bitterness in her voice. Instead, there was about her an air of +gentle self-mastery, remote alike from pain and passion, that gave +Larry the feeling that the comfort he had thought to bring was so +completely unnecessary as to seem an impertinence. Jane walked +across to where Frank Smart was standing and engaged him in an +animated conversation. + +As Larry watched her, it gave him a quick sharp pang to remember +that Frank Smart was a friend of older standing than he, that Smart +was a rising young lawyer with a brilliant future before him. He +was a constant visitor at this house. Why was it? Like a flash +the thing stood revealed to him. Without a doubt Smart was in love +with Jane. His own heart went cold at the thought. But why? he +impatiently asked himself. He was not in love with Jane. Of that +he was quite certain. Why, then, this dog-in-the-manger feeling? +A satisfactory answer to this was beyond him. One thing only stood +out before his mind with startling clarity, if Jane should give +herself to Frank Smart, or, indeed, to any other, then for him life +would be emptied of one of its greatest joys. He threw down the +music book whose leaves he had been idly turning and, looking at +his watch, called out, "Do you know it is after eight o'clock, +people?" + +"Come, Ethel," said Jane, "we must go. And you boys will have to +hurry. Larry, don't wait for Papa. He will likely have a seat on +the platform. Good night for the present. You can find your way +out, can't you? And, Mr. MacLean, you will find something to do +until we come down?" + +Smiling over her shoulder, Jane took Ethel off with her upstairs. + +"Come, Smart, let's get a move on," said Larry, abruptly seizing +his hat and making for the door. "We will have to fight to get in +now." + +The theatre was packed, pit to gods. Larry and his friend with +considerable difficulty made their way to the front row of those +standing, where they found a group of University men, who gave them +enthusiastic welcome to a place in their company. The Chairman had +made his opening remarks, and the first speaker, the Honourable B. +B. Bomberton, was well on into his oration by the time they +arrived. He was at the moment engaged in dilating upon the peril +through which the country had recently passed, and thanking God +that Canada had loyally stood by the Empire and had refused to sell +her heritage for a mess of pottage. + +"Rot!" cried a voice from the first gallery, followed by cheers and +counter cheers. + +The Honourable gentleman, however, was an old campaigner and not +easily thrown out of his stride. He fiercely turned upon his +interrupter and impaled him upon the spear point of his scornful +sarcasm, waving the while with redoubled vigour, "the grand old +flag that for a thousand years had led the embattled hosts of +freedom in their fight for human rights." + +"Rot!" cried the same voice again. "Can the flag stuff. Get busy +and say something." (Cheers, counter cheers, yells of "Throw him +out," followed by disturbance in the gallery.) + +Once more the speaker resumed his oration. He repeated his +statement that the country had been delivered from a great peril. +The strain upon the people's loyalty had been severe, but the bonds +that bound them to the Empire had held fast, and please God would +ever hold fast. (Enthusiastic demonstration from all the audience, +indicating intense loyalty to the Empire.) They had been invited +to enter into a treaty for reciprocal trade with the Republic south +of us. He would yield to none in admiration, even affection, for +their American neighbours. He knew them well; many of his warmest +friends were citizens of that great Republic. But great as was his +esteem for that Republic he was not prepared to hand over his +country to any other people, even his American neighbours, to be +exploited and finally to be led into financial bondage. He +proceeded further to elaborate and illustrate the financial +calamity that would overtake the Dominion of Canada as a result of +the establishment of Reciprocity between the Dominion and the +Republic. But there was more than that. They all knew that +ancient political maxim "Trade follows the flag." But like most +proverbs it was only half a truth. The other half was equally true +that "The flag followed trade." There was an example of that +within their own Empire. No nation in the world had a prouder +record for loyalty than Scotland. Yet in 1706 Scotland was induced +to surrender her independence as a nation and to enter into union +with England. Why? Chiefly for the sake of trade advantages. + +"Ye're a dom leear," shouted an excited Scot, rising to his feet in +the back of the hall. "It was no Scotland that surrendered. Didna +Scotland's king sit on England's throne. Speak the truth, mon." +(Cheers, uproarious laughter and cries, "Go to it, Scotty; down wi' +the Sassenach. Scotland forever!") + +When peace had once more fallen the Honourable B. B. Bomberton went +on. He wished to say that his Scottish friend had misunderstood +him. He was not a Scot himself-- + +"Ye needna tell us that," said the Scot. (Renewed cheers and +laughter.) + +But he would say that the best three-quarters of him was Scotch in +that he had a Scotch woman for a wife, and nothing that he had said +or could say could be interpreted as casting a slur upon that great +and proud and noble race than whom none had taken a larger and more +honourable part in the building and the maintaining of the Empire. +But to resume. The country was asked for the sake of the alleged +economic advantage to enter into a treaty with the neighbouring +state which he was convinced would perhaps not at first but +certainly eventually imperil the Imperial bond. The country +rejected the proposal. The farmers were offered the double lure of +high prices for their produce and a lower price for machinery. +Never was he so proud of the farmers of his country as when they +resisted the lure, they refused the bait, they could not be bought, +they declined to barter either their independence or their imperial +allegiance for gain. (Cheers, groans, general uproar.) + +Upon the subsidence of the uproar Frank Smart who, with Larry, had +worked his way forward among a body of students standing in the +first row immediately behind the seats, raised his hand and called +out in a clear, distinct and courteous voice, "Mr. Chairman, a +question if you will permit me." The chairman granted permission. +"Did I understand the speaker to say that those Canadians who +approved of the policy of Reciprocity were ready to barter their +independence or their imperial allegiance for gain? If so, in the +name of one half of the Canadian people I want to brand the +statement as an infamous and slanderous falsehood." + +Instantly a thousand people were on their feet cheering, yelling, +on the one part shouting, "Put him out," and on the other +demanding, "Withdraw." A half dozen fights started up in different +parts of the theatre. In Smart's immediate vicinity a huge, +pugilistic individual rushed toward him and reached for him with a +swinging blow, which would undoubtedly have ended for him the +meeting then and there had not Larry, who was at his side, caught +the swinging arm with an upward cut so that it missed its mark. +Before the blow could be repeated Scudamore, the centre rush of the +University football team, had flung himself upon the pugilist, +seized him by the throat and thrust him back and back through the +crowd, supported by a wedge of his fellow students, striking, +scragging, fighting and all yelling the while with cheerful +vociferousness. By the efforts of mutual friends the two parties +were torn asunder just as a policeman thrust himself through the +crowd and demanded to know the cause of the uproar. + +"Here," he cried, seizing Larry by the shoulder, "what does this +mean?" + +"Don't ask me," said Larry, smiling pleasantly at him. "Ask that +fighting man over there." + +"You were fighting. I saw you," insisted the policeman. + +"Did you?" said Larry. "I am rather pleased to hear you say it, +but I knew nothing of it." + +"Look here, Sergeant," shouted Smart above the uproar. "Oh, it's +you, Mac. You know me. You've got the wrong man. There's the man +that started this thing. He deliberately attacked me. Arrest +him." + +Immediately there were clamorous counter charges and demands for +arrest of Smart and his student crew. + +"Come now," said Sergeant Mac, "keep quiet, or I'll be takin' ye +all into the coop." + +Order once more being restored, the speaker resumed by repudiating +indignantly the accusation of his young friend. Far be it from him +to impugn the loyalty of the great Liberal party, but he was bound +to say that while the Liberals might be themselves loyal both to +the Dominion and to the Empire, their policy was disastrous. They +were sound enough in their hearts but their heads were weak. After +some further remarks upon the fiscal issues between the two great +political parties and after a final wave of the imperial flag, the +speaker declared that he now proposed to leave the rest of the time +to their distinguished fellow citizen, the Honourable J. J. Allen. + +Mr. Allen found himself facing an audience highly inflamed with +passion and alert for trouble. In a courteous and pleasing +introduction he strove to allay their excited feelings and to win +for himself a hearing. The matter which he proposed to bring to +their attention was one of the very greatest importance, and one +which called for calm and deliberate consideration. He only asked +a hearing for some facts which every Canadian ought to know and for +some arguments based thereupon which they might receive or reject +according as they appealed to them or not. + +"You are all right, Jim; go to it," cried an enthusiastic admirer. + +With a smile Mr. Allen thanked his friend for the invitation and +assured him that without loss of time he would accept it. He +begged to announce his theme: "The Imperative and Pressing Duty of +Canada to Prepare to do Her Part in Defence of the Empire." He was +prepared frankly and without hesitation to make the assertion that +war was very near the world and very near our Empire and for the +reason that the great military power of Europe, the greatest +military power the world had ever seen--Germany--purposed to make +war, was ready for war, and was waiting only a favourable +opportunity to begin. + +"Oh, r-r-rats-s," exclaimed a harsh voice. + +"That's Holtzman," said Larry to Smart. + +(Cries of "Shut up!--Go on.") + +"I beg the gentleman who has so courteously interrupted me," +continued Mr. Allen, "simply to wait for my facts." ("Hear! Hear!" +from many parts of the building.) The sources of his information +were three: first, his own observation during a three months' tour +in Germany; second, his conversations with representative men in +Great Britain, France and Germany; and third, the experience of a +young and brilliant attache of the British Embassy at Berlin now +living in Canada, with whom he had been brought into touch by a +young University student at present in this city. From this latter +source he had also obtained possession of literature accessible +only to a few. He spoke with a full sense of responsibility and +with a full appreciation of the value of words. + +The contrast between the Honourable Mr. Allen and the speaker that +preceded him was such that the audience was not only willing but +eager to hear the facts and arguments which the speaker claimed to +be in a position to offer. Under the first head he gave in detail +the story of his visit to Germany and piled up an amazing +accumulation of facts illustrative of Germany's military and naval +preparations in the way of land and sea forces, munitions and +munition factories, railroad construction, food supplies and +financial arrangements in the way of gold reserves and loans. The +preparations for war which, in the world's history, had been made +by Great Powers threatening the world's freedom, were as child's +play to these preparations now made by Germany, and these which he +had given were but a few illustrations of Germany's war preparations, +for the more important of these were kept hidden by her from the +rest of the world. "My argument is that preparation by a nation +whose commercial and economic instincts are so strong as those of +the German people can only reasonably be interpreted to mean a +Purpose to War. That that purpose exists and that that purpose +determines Germany's world's politics, I have learned from many +prominent Germans, military and naval officers, professors, bankers, +preachers. And more than that this same purpose can be discovered +in the works of many distinguished German writers during the last +twenty-five years. You see this pile of books beside me? They are +filled, with open and avowed declarations of this purpose. The +raison d'etre of the great Pan-German League, of the powerful Navy +League with one million and a half members, and of the other great +German organisations is war. Bear with me while I read to you +extracts from some of these writings. I respectfully ask a patient +hearing. I would not did I not feel it to be important that from +representative Germans themselves you should learn the dominating +purpose that has directed and determined the course of German +activity in every department of its national life for the last +quarter of a century." + +For almost half an hour the speaker read extracts from the pile of +books on the table beside him. "I think I may now fairly claim to +have established first the fact of vast preparations by Germany for +war and the further fact that Germany cherishes in her heart a +settled Purpose of War." It was interesting to know how this +purpose had come to be so firmly established in the heart of a +people whom we had always considered to be devoted to the +cultivation of the gentler arts of peace. The history of the rise +and the development of this Purpose to War would be found in the +history of Germany itself. He then briefly touched upon the +outstanding features in the history of the German Empire from the +days of the great Elector of Brandenburg to the present time. +During these last three hundred years, while the English people +were steadily fighting for and winning their rights to freedom and +self-government from tyrant kings, in Prussia two powers were being +steadily built up, namely autocracy and militarism, till under +Bismarck and after the War of 1870 these two powers were firmly +established in the very fibre of the new modern German Empire. +Since the days of Bismarck the autocrat of Germany had claimed the +hegemony of Europe and had dreamed of winning for himself and his +Empire a supreme place among the nations of the world. And this +dream he had taught his people to share with him, for to them it +meant not simply greater national glory, which had become a mania +with them, but expansion of trade and larger commercial returns. +And for the realisation of this dream, the German Kaiser and his +people with him were ready and were waiting the opportunity to +plunge the world into the bloodiest war of all time. + +At some length the speaker proceeded to develop the idea of the +necessary connection between autocracy and militarism, and the +relation of autocratic and military power to wars of conquest. +"The German Kaiser," he continued, "is ready for war as no would-be +world conqueror in the world's history has ever been ready. The +German Kaiser cherishes the purpose to make war, and this purpose +is shared in and approved by the whole body of the German people." +These facts he challenged any one to controvert. If these things +were so, what should Canada do? Manifestly one thing only--she +should prepare to do her duty in defending herself and the great +Empire. "So far," he continued, "I have raised no controversial +points. I have purposely abstained from dealing with questions +that may be regarded from a partisan point of view. I beg now to +refer to a subject which unhappily has become a matter of +controversy in Canada--the subject, namely, of the construction of +a Canadian Navy. [Disturbance in various parts of the building.] +You have been patient. I earnestly ask you to be patient for a few +moments longer. Both political parties fortunately are agreed upon +two points; first, that Canada must do its share and is willing to +do its share in the defence of the Empire. On this point all +Canadians are at one, all Canadians are fully determined to do +their full duty to the Empire which has protected Canada during its +whole history, and with which it is every loyal Canadian's earnest +desire to maintain political connection. Second, Canada must have +a Navy. Unfortunately, while we agree upon these two points, there +are two points upon which we differ. First, we differ upon the +method to be adopted in constructing our Navy and, second, upon the +question of Navy control in war. In regard to the second point, I +would only say that I should be content to leave the settlement of +that question to the event. When war comes that question will +speedily be settled, and settled, I am convinced, in a way +consistent with what we all desire to preserve, Canadian autonomy. +In regard to the first, I would be willing to accept any method of +construction that promised efficiency and speed, and with all my +power I oppose any method that necessitates delay. Considerations +of such questions as location of dockyards, the type of ship, the +size of ship, I contend, are altogether secondary. The main +consideration is speed. I leave these facts and arguments with +you, and speaking not as a party politician but simply as a loyal +Canadian and as a loyal son of the Empire, I would say, 'In God's +name, for our country's honour and for the sake of our Empire's +existence, let us with our whole energy and with all haste prepare +for war.'" + +The silence that greeted the conclusion of this address gave +eloquent proof of the profound impression produced. + +As the chairman rose to close the meeting the audience received a +shock. The raucous voice of Holtzman was heard again demanding the +privilege of asking two questions. + +"The first question I would ask, Mr. Chairman, is this: Is not +this immense war preparation of Germany explicable on the theory of +the purpose of defence? Mr. Allen knows well that both on the +eastern and southern frontiers Germany is threatened by the +aggression of the Pan-Slavic movement, and to protect herself from +this Pan-Slavic movement, together with a possible French alliance, +the war preparations of Germany are none too vast. Besides, I +would ask Mr. Allen, What about Britain's vast navy?" + +"The answer to this question," said Mr. Allen, "is quite simple. +What nation has threatened Germany for the past forty years? On +the contrary, every one knows that since 1875 five separate times +has Germany threatened war against France and twice against Russia. +Furthermore military experts assure us that in defensive war an +army equipped with modern weapons can hold off from four to eight +times its own strength. It is absurd to say that Germany's +military preparations are purely defensive. As for Britain's navy, +the answer is equally simple. Britain's Empire is like no other +Empire in the world in that it lies spread out upon the seven seas. +It is essential to her very life that she be able to keep these +waterways open to her ships. Otherwise she exists solely upon the +sufferance of any nation that can wrest from her the supremacy of +the sea. At her will Germany has the right to close against all +the world the highways of her empire; the highways of Britain's +empire are the open seas which she shares with the other nations of +the world and which she cannot close. Therefore, these highways +she must be able to make safe." + +"If Mr. Allen imagines that this answer of his will satisfy any but +the most bigoted Britain, I am content. Another question I would +ask. Does not Mr. Allen think that if the capitalistic classes, +who leave their burdens to be borne by the unhappy proletariat, +were abolished wars would immediately cease? Does he not know that +recently it was proved in Germany that the Krupps were found to be +promoting war scares in France in the interests of their own +infernal trade? And lastly does not history prove that Britain is +the great robber nation of the world? And does he not think that +it is time she was driven from her high place by a nation which is +her superior, commercially, socially, intellectually and every +other way?" + +As if by a preconcerted signal it seemed as if the whole top +gallery broke into a pandemonium of approving yells, while through +other parts of the house arose fierce shouts, "Throw him out." Mr. +Allen rose and stood quietly waiting till the tumult had ceased. + +"If the gentleman wishes to engage me in a discussion on socialism, +my answer is that this is not the time nor place for such a +discussion. The question which I have been considering is one +much too grave to be mixed up with an academic discussion of any +socialistic theories." + +"Aha! Aha!" laughed Holtzman scornfully. + +"As for Britain's history, that stands for all the world to read. +All the nations have been guilty of crimes; but let me say that any +one who knows the history of Germany for the last three hundred +years is aware that in unscrupulous aggression upon weaker +neighbours, in treachery to friend and foe, Germany is the equal of +any nation in the world. But if you consider her history since +1864 Germany stands in shameless and solitary pre-eminence above +any nation that has ever been for unscrupulous greed, for brutal, +ruthless oppression of smaller peoples, and for cynical disregard +of treaty covenants, as witness Poland, Austria, Denmark, Holland +and France. As to the treachery of the Krupps, I believe the +gentleman is quite right, but I would remind him that the Kaiser +has no better friend to-day than Bertha Krupp, and she is a +German." + +From every part of the theatre rose one mighty yell of delight and +derision, during which Holtzman stood wildly gesticulating and +shouting till a hand was seen to reach his collar and he +disappeared from view. Once more order was restored and the +chairman on the point of closing the meeting, when Larry said to +his friend Smart: + +"I should dearly love to take a hand in this." + +"Jump in," said Smart, and Larry "jumped in." + +"Mr. Chairman," he said quietly, "may I ask Mr. Allen a question?" + +"No," said the chairman in curt reply. "The hour is late and I +think further discussion at present is unprofitable." + +But here Mr. Allen interposed. "I hope, Mr. Chairman," he said, +"you will allow my young friend, Mr. Gwynne, of whose brilliant +achievements in our University we are all so proud, to ask his +question." + +"Very well," said the chairman in no good will. + +"Allow me to thank Mr. Allen for his courtesy," said Larry. +"Further I wish to say that though by birth, by training, and by +conviction I am a pacifist and totally opposed to war, yet to-night +I have been profoundly impressed by the imposing array of facts +presented by the speaker and by the arguments built upon these +facts, and especially by the fine patriotic appeal with which Mr. +Allen closed his address. But I am not satisfied, and my question +is this--" + +"Will not Mr. Gwynne come to the platform?" said Mr. Allen. + +"Thank you," said Larry, "I prefer to stay where I am, I am much +too shy." + +Cries of "Platform! Platform!" however, rose on every side, to +which Larry finally yielded, and encouraged by the cheers of his +fellow students and of his other friends in the audience, he +climbed upon the platform. His slight, graceful form, the look of +intellectual strength upon his pale face, his modest bearing, his +humorous smile won sympathy even from those who were impatient at +the prolonging of the meeting. + +"Mr. Chairman," he began with an exaggerated look of fear upon his +face, "I confess I am terrified by the position in which I find +myself, and were it not that I feel deeply the immense importance +of this question and the gravity of the appeal with which the +speaker closed his address, I would not have ventured to say a +word. My first question is this: Does not Mr. Allen greatly +exaggerate the danger of war with Germany? And my reasons for this +question are these. Every one knows that the relations between +Great Britain and Germany have been steadily improving during the +last two or three years. I note in this connection a statement +made only a few months ago by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. +Winston Churchill. It reads as follows: + +"'The Germans are a nation with robust minds and a high sense of +honour and fair play. They look at affairs in a practical military +spirit. They like to have facts put squarely before them. They do +not want them wrapped up lest they should be shocked by them, and +relations between the two countries have steadily improved during +the past year. They have steadily improved side by side with every +evidence of our determination to maintain our naval supremacy.' + +"These words spoken in the British House of Commons give us Mr. +Winston Churchill's deliberate judgment as to the relations between +Germany and Great Britain. Further Mr. Allen knows that during the +past two years various peace delegations composed of people of the +highest standing in each country have exchanged visits. I +understand from private correspondence from those who have promoted +these delegations that the last British delegation was received in +Germany with the utmost enthusiasm by men of all ranks and +professions, generals, admirals, burgomasters, professors and by +the Kaiser himself, all professing devotion to the cause of peace +and all wishing the delegation Godspeed. Surely these are +indications that the danger of war is passing away. You, Sir, have +made an appeal for war preparation tonight, a great and solemn +appeal and a moving appeal for war--merciful God, for war! I have +been reading about war during the past three months, I have been +reading again Zola's Debacle--a great appeal for preparedness, you +would say. Yes, but a terrific picture of the woes of war." + +Larry paused. A great silence had fallen upon the people. There +flashed across his mind as he spoke a vision of war's red, reeking +way across the fair land of France. In a low but far-penetrating +voice, thrilling with the agonies which were spread out before him +in vision, he pictured the battlefield with its mad blood lust, the +fury of men against men with whom they had no quarrel, the mangled +ruins of human remains in dressing station and hospital, the white- +faced, wild-eyed women waiting at home, and back of all, safe, snug +and cynical, the selfish, ambitious promoters of war. Steady as a +marching column without pause or falter, in a tone monotonous yet +thrilling with a certain subdued passion, he gave forth his +indictment of war. He was on familiar ground for this had been the +theme of his prize essay last winter. But to-night the thing to +him was vital, terrifying, horrible. He was delivering no set +address, but with all the power of his soul he was pleading for +comrades and friends, for wives and sweethearts, for little babes +and for white-haired mothers, "and in the face of all this, you are +asking us to prepare that we Canadians, peaceful and peace-loving, +should do our share to perpetrate this unspeakable outrage upon our +fellow men, this insolent affront against Almighty God. Tell me, +if Canada, if Britain, were to expend one-tenth, one-hundredth part +of the energy, skill, wealth, in promoting peace which they spend +on war, do you not think we might have a surer hope of warding off +from our Canadian homes this unspeakable horror?" With white face +and flaming eyes, his form tense and quivering, he stood facing +the advocate of war. For some moments, during which men seemed +scarcely to breathe, the two faced each other. Then in a voice +that rang throughout the theatre as it had not in all his previous +speech, but vibrant with sad and passionate conviction, Mr. Allen +made reply. + +"It is to ward off from our people and from our Canadian homes this +calamity that you have so vividly pictured for us that I have made +my appeal to-night. Your enemy who seeks your destruction will be +more likely to halt in his spring if you cover him with your gun +than if you appeal to him with empty hands. For this reason, it is +that once more I appeal to my fellow Canadians in God's name, in +the name of all that we hold dear, let us with all our power and +with all speed prepare for war." + +"God Save the King," said the Chairman. And not since the +thrilling days of Mafeking had Winnipeg people sung that quaint +archaic, but moving anthem as they sang it that night. + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE CLOSING OF THE DOOR + + +From the remarks of his friends even as they thronged him, offering +congratulations, Mr. Allen could easily gather that however +impressive his speech had been, few of his audience had taken his +warning seriously. + +"You queered my speech, Larry," he said, "but I forgive you." + +"Not at all, Sir," replied Larry. "You certainly got me." + +"I fear," replied Mr. Allen, "that I am 'the voice crying in the +wilderness.'" + +At the Allens' party Larry was overwhelmed with congratulations on +his speech, the report of which had been carried before him by his +friends. + +"They tell me your speech was quite thrilling," said Mrs. Allen as +she greeted Larry. + +"Your husband is responsible for everything," replied Larry. + +"No," said Mr. Allen, "Miss Jane here is finally responsible. Hers +were the big shells I fired." + +"Not mine," replied Jane. "I got them from Mr. Romayne, your +brother-in-law, Larry." + +"Well, I'm blowed!" said Larry. "That's where the stuff came from! +But it was mighty effective, and certainly you put it to us, Mr. +Allen. You made us all feel like fighting. Even Scuddy, there, +ran amuck for a while." + +"What?" said Mr. Allen, "you don't really mean to say that +Scudamore, our genial Y. M. C. A. Secretary, was in that scrap? +That cheers me greatly." + +"Was he!" said Ramsay Dunn, whose flushed face and preternaturally +grave demeanour sufficiently explained his failure to appear at Dr. +Brown's dinner. "While Mr. Smart's life was saved by the timely +upper-cut of our distinguished pacifist, Mr. Gwynne, without a +doubt Mr. Scudamore--hold him there, Scallons, while I adequately +depict his achievement--" Immediately Scallons and Ted Tuttle, +Scudamore's right and left supports on the scrimmage line, seized +him and held him fast. "As I was saying," continued Dunn, "great +as were the services rendered to the cause by our distinguished +pacifist, Mr. Gwynne, the supreme glory must linger round the head +of our centre scrim and Y. M. C. A. Secretary, Mr. Scudamore, to +whose effective intervention both Mr. Smart and Mr. Gwynne owe the +soundness of their physical condition which we see them enjoying at +the present moment." + +In the midst of his flowing periods Dunn paused abruptly and turned +away. He had caught sight of Jane's face, grieved and shocked, in +the group about him. Later he approached her with every appearance +of profound humiliation. "Miss Brown," he said, "I must apologise +for not appearing at dinner this evening." + +"Oh, Mr. Dunn," said Jane, "why will you do it? Why break the +hearts of all your friends?" + +"Why? Because I am a fool," he said bitterly. "If I had more +friends like you, Miss Brown," he paused abruptly, then burst +forth, "Jane, you always make me feel like a beast." But Larry's +approach cut short any further conversation. + +"Jane, I want to talk to you," said Larry impetuously. "Let us get +away somewhere." + +In the library they found a quiet spot, where they sat down. + +"I want to tell you," said Larry, "that I feel that I treated you +shabbily to-day. I have only a poor excuse to offer, but I should +like to explain." + +"Don't, Larry," said Jane, her words coming with hurried impetuosity. +"I was very silly. I had quite forgotten it. You know we have +always told each other things, and I expected that you would come in +this morning just to talk over your medal, and I did want a chance +to say how glad I was for you, and how glad and how proud I knew +your mother would be; and to tell the truth really," she added with +a shy little laugh, "I wanted to have you congratulate me on my +prize too. But, Larry, I understand how you forgot." + +"Forgot!" said Larry. "No, Jane, I did not forget, but this +telegram from Chicago came last night, and I was busy with my +packing all morning and then in the afternoon I thought I would +hurry through a few calls--they always take longer than one thinks-- +and before I knew it I was late for dinner. I had not forgotten; +I was thinking of you all day, Jane." + +"Were you, Larry?" said Jane, a gentle tenderness in her smile. "I +am glad." + +Then a silence fell between them for some moments. They were both +thinking of the change that was coming to their lives. Larry was +wondering how he would ever do without this true-hearted friend +whose place in his life he was only discovering now to be so large. +He glanced at her. Her eyes were glowing with a soft radiance that +seemed to overflow from some inner spring. + +"Jane," he cried with a sudden impulse, "you are lovely, you are +perfectly lovely." + +A shy, startled, eager look leaped into her eyes. Then her face +grew pale. She waited, expectant, tremulous. But at that instant +a noisy group passed into the library. + +"Larry," whispered Jane, turning swiftly to him and laying her hand +upon his arm, "you will take me home to-night." + +"All right, Jane, of course," said Larry. + +As they passed out from the library Helen Brookes met them. +"Larry, come here," she said in a voice of suppressed excitement. +"Larry, don't you want to do something for me? Scuddy wants to +take me home tonight, and I don't want him to." + +"But why not, Helen? You ought to be good to Scuddy, poor chap. +He's a splendid fellow, and I won't have him abused." + +"Not to-night, Larry; I can't have him to-night. You will take me +home, won't you? I am going very soon." + +"You are, eh? Well, if you can go within ten minutes, I shall be +ready." + +"Say fifteen," said Helen, turning to meet Lloyd Rushbrook, the +Beau Brummel of the college, who came claiming a dance. + +Larry at once went in search of Jane to tell her of his engagement +with Helen Brookes, but could find her nowhere, and after some time +spent in a vain search, he left a message for her with his hostess. +At the head of the stairs he found Helen waiting. + +"Oh, hurry, Larry," she cried in a fever of excitement. "Let's get +away quickly." + +"Two minutes will do me," said Larry, rushing into the dressing +room. + +There he found Scudamore pacing up and down in fierce, gloomy +silence. + +"You are taking her home, Larry?" he said. + +"Who?" said Larry. Then glancing at his face, he added, "Yes, +Scuddy, I am taking Helen home. She is apparently in a great +hurry." + +"She need not be; I shall not bother her any more," said Scuddy +bitterly, "and you can tell her that for me, if you like." + +"No, I won't tell her that, Scuddy," said Larry, "and, Scuddy," he +added, imparting a bit of worldly wisdom, "campaigns are not won in +a single battle, and, Scuddy, remember too that the whistling +fisherman catches the fish. So cheer up, old boy." But Scuddy +only glowered at him. + +Larry found Helen awaiting him, and quietly they slipped out +together. "This is splendid of you, Larry," she said, taking his +arm and giving him a little squeeze. + +"I don't know about that, Helen. I left Scuddy raging upstairs +there. You girls are the very devil for cruelty sometimes. You +get men serious with you, then you flirt and flutter about till the +unhappy wretches don't know where they are at. Here's our car." + +"Car!" exclaimed Helen. "With this moonlight, Larry? And you +going away to-morrow? Not if I know it." + +"It is fearfully unromantic, Helen, I know. But I must hurry. I +have to take Jane home." + +"Oh, Jane! It's always Jane, Jane!" + +"Well, why not?" said Larry. "For years Jane has been my greatest +pal, my best friend." + +"Nothing more?" said Helen earnestly. "Cross your heart, Larry." + +"Nothing more, cross my heart and all the rest of it," replied +Larry. "Why! here's another car, Helen." + +"Oh, Larry, you are horrid, perfectly heartless! We may never walk +together again. Here I am throwing myself at you and you only +think of getting away back." Under her chaffing words there +sounded a deeper note. + +"So I see," said Larry, laughing and refusing to hear the deeper +undertone. "But I see something else as well." + +"What?" challenged Helen. + +"I see Scuddy leading out from Trinity some day the loveliest girl +in Winnipeg." + +"Oh, I won't talk about Scuddy," said Helen impatiently. "I want +to talk about you. Tell me about this Chicago business." + +For the rest of the way home she led Larry to talk of his plans for +the future. At her door Helen held out her hand. "You won't come +in, Larry, I know, so we will say good-bye here." Her voice was +gentle and earnest. The gay, proud, saucy air which she had ever +worn and which had been one of her chief charms, was gone. The +moonlight revealed a lovely wistful face from which misty eyes +looked into his. "This is the end of our good times together, +Larry. And we have had good times. You are going to be a great +man some day. I wish you all the best in life." + +"Thank you, Helen," said Larry, touched by the tones of her voice +and the look in her eyes. "We have been good friends. We shall +never be anything else. With my heart I wish you--oh, just +everything that is good, Helen dear. Good-bye," he said, leaning +toward her. "How lovely you are!" he murmured. + +"Good-bye, dear Larry," she whispered, lifting up her face. + +"Good-bye, you dear girl," he said, and kissed her. + +"Now go," she said, pushing him away from her. + +"Be good to Scuddy," he replied as he turned from her and hurried +away. + +He broke into a run, fearing to be late, and by the time he arrived +at the Allens' door he had forgotten all about Helen Brookes and +was thinking only of Jane and of what he wanted to say to her. At +the inner door he met Macleod and Ethel coming out. + +"Jane's gone," said Ethel, "some time ago." + +"Gone?" said Larry. + +"Yes, Scuddy took her home." + +"Are they all gone?" inquired Larry. + +"Yes, for the most part." + +"Oh, all right then; I think I shall not go in. Good-night," he +said, turned abruptly about and set off for Dr. Brown's. He looked +again at his watch. He was surprised to find it was not so very +late. Why had Jane not waited for him? Had he hurt her again? He +was sorely disappointed. Surely she had no reason to be offended, +and this was his last night. As he thought the matter over he came +to the conclusion that now it was he that had a grievance. Arrived +at Dr. Brown's house the only light to be seen was in Jane's room +upstairs. Should he go in or should he go home and wait till to- +morrow. He was too miserable to think of going home without seeing +her. He determined that he must see her at all cost to-night. He +took a pebble and flung it up against her window, and another and +another. The window opened and Jane appeared. + +"Oh, Larry," she whispered. "Is it you? Wait, I shall be down." + +She opened the door for him and stood waiting for him to speak. +"Why didn't you wait?" he asked, passing into the hall. "I was not +very long." + +"Why should I wait, Larry?" she said quietly. "Scuddy told me you +had gone home with Helen." + +"But didn't I promise that I would take you home?" + +"You did, and then went away." + +"Well, all I have to say, Jane, is that this is not a bit like you. +I am sorry I brought you down, and I won't keep you any longer. +Good-night. I shall see you tomorrow." + +But Jane got between him and the door and stood with her back to +it. "No, Larry, you are not going away like that. Go into the +study." Larry looked at her in astonishment. This was indeed a +new Jane to him. Wrathful, imperious, she stood waving him toward +the study door. In spite of his irritation he was conscious of a +new admiration for her. Feeling a little like a boy about to +receive his punishment, he passed into the study. + +"Didn't Mrs. Allen give you my message?" he said. + +"Your message, Larry?" cried Jane, a light breaking upon her face. +"Did you leave a message for me?" + +"I did. I told Mrs. Allen to tell you where I had gone--Helen was +so anxious to go--and that I would be right back." Larry's voice +was full of reproach. + +"Oh, Larry, I am so glad," said Jane, her tone indicating the +greatness of her relief. "I knew it was all right--that something +had prevented. I am so glad you came in. You must have thought me +queer." + +"No," said Larry, appeased, "I knew all the time there must be some +explanation, only I was feeling so miserable." + +"And I was miserable, too, Larry," she said gently. "It seemed a +pity that this should happen on our last night." All her wrath was +gone. She was once more the Jane that Larry had always known, +gentle, sweet, straightforward, and on her face the old transfiguring +smile. Before this change of mood all his irritation vanished. +Humbled, penitent, and with a rush of warm affection filling his +heart, he said, + +"I should have known you were not to blame, but you are always +right. Never once in all these years have you failed me. You +always understand a fellow. Do you know I am wondering how I shall +ever do without you? Have you thought, Jane, that to-morrow this +old life of ours together will end?" + +"Yes, Larry." Her voice was low, almost a whisper, and in her eyes +an eager light shone. + +"It just breaks my heart, Jane. We have been--we are such good +friends. If we had only fallen in love with each other.--But that +would have spoiled it all. We are not like other people; we have +been such chums, Jane." + +"Yes, Larry," she said again, but the eager light had faded from +her eyes. + +"Let's sit a bit, Larry," she said. "I am tired, and you are +tired, too," she added quickly, "after your hard day." + +For a little time they sat in silence together, both shrinking +from the parting that they knew was so near. Larry gazed at her, +wondering to himself that he had ever thought her plain. Tonight +she seemed beautiful and very dear to him. Next to his mother, was +her place in his heart. Was this that he felt for her what they +called love? With all his soul he wished he could take her in his +arms and say, "Jane, I love you." But still he knew that his words +would not ring true. More than that, Jane would know it too. +Besides, might not her feeling for him be of the same quality? +What could he say in this hour which he recognised to be a crisis +in their lives? Sick at heart and oppressed with his feeling of +loneliness and impotence, he could only look at her in speechless +misery. Then he thought she, too, was suffering, the same misery +was filling her heart. She looked utterly spent and weary. + +"Jane," he said desperately. She started. She, too, had been +thinking. "Scuddy is in love with Helen, Macleod is in love with +Ethel. I wish to God I had fallen in love with you and you with +me. Then we would have something to look forward to. Do you know, +Jane, I am like a boy leaving home? We are going to drift apart. +Others will come between us." + +"No, Larry," cried Jane with quick vehemence. "Not that. You +won't let that come." + +"Can we help it, Jane?" Then her weariness appealed to him. "It +is a shame to keep you up. I have given you a hard day, Jane." +She shook her head. "And there is no use waiting. We can only say +good-bye." He rose from his chair. Should he kiss her, he asked +himself. He had had no hesitation in kissing Helen an hour ago. +That seemed a light thing to him, but somehow he shrank from +offering to kiss Jane. If he could only say sincerely, "Jane, I +love you," then he could kiss her, but this he could not say truly. +Anything but perfect sincerity he knew she would detect; and she +would be outraged by it. Yet as he stood looking down upon her +pale face, her wavering smile, her quivering lips, he was conscious +of a rush of pity and of tenderness almost uncontrollable. + +"Good-bye, Jane; God keep you always, dear, dear Jane." He held +her hands, looking into the deep blue eyes that looked back at him +so bravely. He felt that he was fast losing his grip upon himself, +and he must hurry away. + +"Good-bye, Larry," she said simply. + +"Good-bye," he said again in a husky voice. Abruptly he turned and +left her and passed out through the door. + +Sore, sick at heart, he stumbled down the steps. "My God," he +cried, "what a fool I am! Why didn't I kiss her? I might have +done that at least." + +He stood looking at the closed door, struggling against an almost +irresistible impulse to return and take her in his arms. Did he +not love her? What other was this that filled his heart? Could he +honestly say, "Jane, I want you for my wife"? He could not. +Miserable and cursing himself he went his way. + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE GERMAN TYPE OF CITIZENSHIP + + +Mr. Dean Wakeham was always glad to have a decent excuse to run up +to the Lakeside Farm. His duties at the Manor Mine were not so +pressing that he could not on occasion take leave of absence, but +to impose himself upon the Lakeside household as frequently as he +desired made it necessary for him to utilise all possible excuses. +In the letter which he held in his hand and which he had just read +he fancied he had found a perfectly good excuse for a call. The +letter was from his sister Rowena and was dated May 15th, 1914. +It was upon his sister's letters that he depended for information +regarding the family life generally and about herself in particular. +His mother's letters were intimate and personal, reflecting, +however, various phases of her ailments, her anxieties for each +member of the family, but especially for her only son now so far +from her in that wild and uncivilised country, but ever overflowing +with tender affection. Dean always put down his mother's letters +with a smile of gentle pity on his face. "Poor, dear Mater," he +would say. "She is at rest about me only when she has me safely +tucked up in my little bed." His father's letters kept him in touch +with the office and, by an illuminating phrase or two, with the +questions of Big Business. But when he had finished Rowena's +letters he always felt as if he had been paying a visit to his home. +Through her letters his sister had the rare gift of transmitting +atmosphere. There were certain passages in his letter just received +which he felt he should at the earliest moment share with the +Lakeside Farm people, in other words, with Nora. + +His car conveyed him with all speed to Lakeside Farm in good time +for the evening meal. To the assembled family Dean proceeded to +read passages which he considered of interest to them. "'Well, +your Canadian has really settled down into his place in the office +and into his own rooms. It was all we could do to hold him with us +for a month, he is so fearfully independent. Are all Canadians +like that? The Mater would have been glad to have had him remain a +month longer. But would he stay? He has a way with him. He has +struck up a terrific friendship with Hugo Raeder. You remember the +Yale man who has come to Benedick, Frame and Company, father's +financial people? Quite a presentable young man he is of the best +Yale type, which is saying something. Larry and he have tied up to +each other in quite a touching way. In the office, too, Larry has +found his place. He captured old Scread the very first day by +working out some calculations that had been allowed to accumulate, +using some method of his own which quite paralysed the old chap. +Oh, he has a way with him, that Canadian boy! Father, too, has +fallen for him. To hear him talk you would imagine that he fully +intended handing over ere long the business to Larry's care. The +Mater has adopted him as well, but with reservations. Of course, +what is troubling her is her dread of a Canadian invasion of her +household, especially--'um um--" At this point Mr. Dean Wakeham +read a portion of the letter to himself with slightly heightened +colour. "'While as for Elfie, he has captured her, baggage and +bones. The little monkey apparently lives only for him. While as +for Larry, you would think that the office and the family were the +merest side issues in comparison with the kid. All the same it is +very beautiful to see them together. At times you would think they +were the same age and both children. At other times she regards +him with worshipful eyes and drinks in his words as if he were some +superior being and she his equal in age and experience. She has +taken possession of him, and never hesitates to carry him off to +her own quarters, apparently to his delight. Oh, he has a way with +him, that Canadian boy! The latest is that he has invited Elfie to +stay a month with him in Alberta when he gets his first holiday. +He has raved to her over Polly. Elfie, I believe, has accepted his +invitation regardless of the wishes of either family. The poor +little soul is really better, I believe, for his companionship. +She is not so fretful and she actually takes her medicine without a +fight and goes to bed at decent hours upon the merest hint of his +Lordship's desire in the matter. In short, he has the family quite +prostrate before him. I alone have been able to stand upright and +maintain my own individuality.'" + +"I am really awfully glad about the kid," said Dean. "After all +she really has rather a hard time. She is so delicate and needs +extra care and attention, and that, I am afraid, has spoiled her a +bit." + +"Why shouldn't the little girl spend a few weeks with us here this +summer, Mr. Wakeham?" said Mrs. Gwynne. "Will you not say to your +mother that we should take good care of her?" + +"Oh, Mrs. Gwynne, that is awfully good of you, but I am a little +afraid you would find her quite a handful. As I have said, she is +a spoiled little monkey and not easy to do with. She would give +you all a lot of trouble," added Dean, looking at Nora. + +"Trouble? Not at all," said Nora. "She could do just as she likes +here. We would give her Polly and let her roam. And on the farm +she would find a number of things to interest her." + +"It would be an awfully good thing for her, I know," said Dean, +vainly trying to suppress the eagerness in his tone, "and if you +are really sure that it would not be too much of a burden I might +write." + +"No burden at all, Mr. Wakeham," said Mrs. Gwynne. "If you will +write and ask Mrs. Wakeham, and bring her with you when you return, +we shall do what we can to make her visit a happy one, and indeed, +it may do the dear child a great deal of good." + +Thus it came about that the little city child, delicate, fretted, +spoiled, was installed in the household at Lakeside Farm for a +visit which lengthened out far beyond its original limits. The +days spent upon the farm were full of bliss to her, the only +drawback to the perfect happiness of the little girl being the +separation from her beloved fidus Achates, with whom she maintained +an epistolary activity extraordinarily intimate and vivid. Upon +this correspondence the Wakeham family came chiefly to depend for +enlightenment as to the young lady's activities and state of +health, and it came to be recognised as part of Larry's duty +throughout the summer to carry a weekly bulletin regarding Elfie's +health and manners to the Lake Shore summer home, where the +Wakehams sought relief from the prostrating heat of the great city. +These week ends at the Lake Shore home were to Larry his sole and +altogether delightful relief from the relentless drive of business +that even throughout the hottest summer weather knew neither let +nor pause. + +It became custom that every Saturday forenoon Rowena's big car +would call at the Rookery Building and carry off her father, if he +chanced to be in town, and Larry to the Lake Shore home. An hour's +swift run over the perfect macadam of the Lake Shore road that +wound through park and boulevard, past splendid summer residences +of Chicago financial magnates, through quiet little villages and by +country farms, always with gleams of Michigan's blue-grey waters, +and always with Michigan's exhilarating breezes in their faces, +would bring them to the cool depths of Birchwood's shades and +silences, where for a time the hustle and heat and roar of the big +city would be as completely forgotten as if a thousand miles away. +It was early on a breathless afternoon late in July when from +pavement and wall the quivering air smote the face as if blown from +an opened furnace that Rowena drove her car down La Salle Street +and pulled up at the Rookery Building resolved to carry off with +her as a special treat "her men" for an evening at Birchwood. + +"Come along, Larry, it is too hot to live in town today," she said +as she passed through the outer office where the young man had his +desk. "I am just going in to get father, so don't keep me +waiting." + +"Miss Wakeham, why will you add to the burdens of the day by +breezing thus in upon us and making us discontented with our lot. +I cannot possibly accept your invitation this afternoon." + +"What? Not to-day, with the thermometer at ninety-four? Nonsense!" +said the young lady brusquely. "You look fit to drop." + +"It is quite useless," said Larry with a sigh. "You see we have a +man in all the way from Colorado to get plans of a mine which is in +process of reconstruction. These plans will take hours to finish. +The work is pressing, in short must be done to-day." + +"Now, look here, young man. All work in this office is pressing +but none so pressing that it cannot pause at my command." + +"But this man is due to leave to-morrow." + +"Oh, I decline to talk about it; it is much too hot. Just close up +your desk," said the young lady, as she swept on to her father's +office. + +In a short time she returned, bearing that gentleman in triumph +with her. "Not ready?" she said. "Really you are most exasperating, +Larry." + +"You may as well throw up your hands, Larry. You'd better knock +off for the day," said Mr. Wakeham. "It is really too hot to do +anything else than surrender." + +"You see, it is like this, sir," said Larry. "It is that Colorado +mine reconstruction business. Their manager, Dimock, is here. He +must leave, he says, tomorrow morning. Mr. Scread thinks he should +get these off as soon as possible. So it is necessary that I stick +to it till we get it done." + +"How long will it take?" said Mr. Wakeham. + +"I expect to finish to-night some time. I have already had a +couple of hours with Dimock to-day. He has left me the data." + +"Well, I am very sorry, indeed," said Mr. Wakeham. "It is a great +pity you cannot come with us, and you look rather fagged. Dimock +could not delay, eh?" + +"He says he has an appointment at Kansas City which he must keep." + +"Oh, it is perfect rubbish," exclaimed Rowena impatiently, "and we +have a party on to-night. Your friend, Mr. Hugh Raeder, is to be +out, and Professor Schaefer and a friend of his, and some perfectly +charming girls." + +"But why tell me these things now, Miss Wakeham," said Larry, "when +you know it is impossible for me to come?" + +"You won't come?" + +"I can't come." + +"Come along then, father," she said, and with a stiff little bow +she left Larry at his desk. + +Before the car moved off Larry came hurrying out. + +"Here is Elfie's letter," he said. "Perhaps Mrs. Wakeham would +like to see it." Miss Wakeham was busy at the wheel and gave no +sign of having heard or seen. So her father reached over and took +the letter from him. + +"Do you know," said Larry gravely, "I do not think it is quite so +hot as it was. I almost fancy I feel a chill." + +"A chill?" said Mr. Wakeham anxiously. "What do you mean?" + +Miss Wakeham bit her lip, broke into a smile and then into a laugh. +"Oh, he's a clever thing, he is," she said. "I hope you may have a +real good roast this afternoon." + +"I hope you will call next Saturday," said Larry earnestly. "It is +sure to be hot." + +"You don't deserve it or anything else that is good." + +"Except your pity. Think what I am missing." + +"Get in out of the heat," she cried as the car slipped away. + +For some blocks Miss Wakeham was busy getting her car through the +crush of the traffic, but as she swung into the Park Road she +remarked, "That young man takes himself too seriously. You would +think the business belonged to him." + +"I wish to God I had more men in my office," said her father, "who +thought the same thing. Do you know, young lady, why it is that so +many greyheads are holding clerk's jobs? Because clerks do not +feel that the business is their own. The careless among them are +working for five o'clock, and the keen among them are out for +number one. Do you know if that boy keeps on thinking that the +business is his he will own a big slice of it or something better +before he quits. I confess I was greatly pleased that you failed +to move him." + +"All the same, he is awfully stubborn," said his daughter. + +"You can't bully him as you do your old dad, eh?" + +"I had counted on him for our dinner party to-night. I particularly +want to have him meet Professor Schaefer, and now we will have a +girl too many. It just throws things out." + +They rolled on in silence for some time through the park when +suddenly her father said, "He may be finished by six o'clock, and +Michael could run in for him." + +At six o'clock Miss Wakeham called Larry on the 'phone. "Are you +still at it?" she enquired. "And when will you be finished?" + +"An hour, I think, will see me through," he replied. + +"Then," said Miss Wakeham, "a little before seven o'clock the car +will be waiting at your office door." + +"Hooray!" cried Larry. "You are an angel. I will be through." + +At a quarter of seven Larry was standing on the pavement, which was +still radiating heat, and so absorbed in watching for the Wakehams' +big car that he failed to notice a little Mercer approaching till +it drew up at his side. + +"What, you, Miss Rowena?" he cried. "Your own self? How very +lovely of you, and through all this heat!" + +"Me," replied the girl, "only me. I thought it might still be hot +and a little cool breeze would be acceptable. But jump in." + +"Cool breeze, I should say so!" exclaimed Larry. "A lovely, cool, +sweet spring breeze over crocuses and violets! But, I say, I must +go to my room for my clothes." + +"No evening clothes to-night," exclaimed Rowena. + +"Ah, but I have a new, lovely, cool suit that I have been hoping to +display at Birchwood. These old things would hardly do at your +dinner table." + +"We'll go around for it. Do get in. Do you know, I left my party +to come for you, partly because I was rather nasty this afternoon?" + +"You were indeed," said Larry. "You almost broke my heart, but +this wipes all out; my heart is singing again. That awfully jolly +letter of Elfie's this week made me quite homesick for the open and +for the breezes of the Alberta foothills." + +"Tell me what she said," said Rowena, not because she wanted so +much to hear Elfie's news but because she loved to hear him talk, +and upon no subject could Larry wax so eloquent as upon the +foothill country of Alberta. Long after they had secured Larry's +new suit and gone on their way through park and boulevard, Larry +continued to expatiate upon the glories of Alberta hills and +valleys, upon its cool breezes, its flowing rivers and limpid +lakes, and always the western rampart of the eternal snow-clad +peaks. + +"And how is the mine doing?" inquired Rowena, for Larry had fallen +silent. + +"The mine? Oh, there's trouble there, I am afraid. Switzer--you +have heard of Switzer?" + +"Oh, yes, I know all about him and his tragic disappointment. He's +the manager, isn't he?" + +"The manager? No, he's the secretary, but in this case it means +the same thing, for he runs the mine. Well, Switzer wants to sell +his stock. He and his father hold about twenty-five thousand +dollars between them. He means to resign. And to make matters +worse, the manager left last week. They are both pulling out, and +it makes it all the worse, for they had just gone in for rather +important extensions. I am anxious a bit. You see they are rather +hard up for money, and father raised all he could on his ranch and +on his mining stock." + +"How much is involved?" inquired Rowena. + +"Oh, not so much money as you people count it, but for us it is all +we have. He raised some fifty thousand dollars. While the mine +goes on and pays it is safe enough, but if the mine quits then it +is all up with us. There is no reason for anxiety at present as +far as the mine is concerned, however. It is doing splendidly and +promises better every day. But Switzer's going will embarrass them +terribly. He was a perfect marvel for work and he could handle the +miners as no one else could. Most of them, you know, are his own +people." + +"I see you are worrying," said Rowena, glancing at his face, which +she thought unusually pale. + +"Not a bit. At least, not very much. Jack is a levelheaded chap-- +Jack Romayne, I mean--my brother-in-law. By the way, I had a wire +to say that young Jack had safely arrived." + +"Young Jack? Oh, I understand. Then you are Uncle Larry." + +"I am. How ancient I feel! And what a lot of responsibility it +lays upon me!" + +"I hope your sister is quite well." + +"Everything fine, so I am informed. But what was I saying? Oh, +yes, Jack is a level-headed chap and his brother-in-law, Waring- +Gaunt, who is treasurer of the company, is very solid. So I think +there's no doubt but that they will be able to make all necessary +arrangements." + +"Well, don't worry to-night," said Rowena. "I want you to have a +good time. I am particularly anxious that you should meet and like +Professor Schaefer." + +"A German, eh?" said Larry. + +"Yes--that is, a German-American. He is a metallurgist, quite +wonderful, I believe. He does a lot of work for father, and you +will doubtless have a good deal to do with him yourself. And he +spoke so highly of Canada and of Canadians that I felt sure you +would be glad to meet him. He is really a very charming man, +musical and all that, but chiefly he is a man of high intelligence +and quite at the top of his profession. He asked to bring a friend +of his with him, a Mr. Meyer, whom I do not know at all; but he is +sure to be interesting if he is a friend of Professor Schaefer's. +We have some nice girls, too, so we hope to have an interesting +evening." + +The company was sufficiently varied to forbid monotony, and +sufficiently intellectual to be stimulating, and there was always +the background of Big Business. Larry was conscious that he was +moving amid large ideas and far-reaching interests, and that though +he himself was a small element, he was playing a part not altogether +insignificant, with a promise of bigger things in the future. +Professor Schaefer became easily the centre of interest in the +party. He turned out to be a man of the world. He knew great +cities and great men. He was a connoisseur in art and something +more than an amateur in music. His piano playing, indeed, was far +beyond that of the amateur. But above everything he was a man of +his work. He knew metals and their qualities as perhaps few men in +America, and he was enthusiastic in his devotion to his profession. +After dinner, with apologies to the ladies, he discoursed from full +and accurate knowledge of the problems to be met within his daily +work and their solutions. He was frequently highly technical, but +to everything he touched he lent a charm that captivated his +audience. To Larry he was especially gracious. He was interested +in Canada. He apparently had a minute knowledge of its mineral +history, its great deposits in metals, in coal, and oil, which he +declared to be among the richest in the world. The mining +operations, however, carried out in Canada, he dismissed as being +unworthy of consideration. He deplored the lack of scientific +knowledge and the absence of organisation. + +"We should do that better in our country. Ah, if only our +Government would take hold of these deposits," he exclaimed, "the +whole world should hear of them." The nickel mining industry alone +in the Sudbury district he considered worthy of respect. Here he +became enthusiastic. "If only my country had such a magnificent +bit of ore!" he cried. "But such bungling, such childish trifling +with one of the greatest, if not the very greatest, mining +industries in the world! To think that the Government of Canada +actually allows the refining of that ore to be done outside of its +own country! Folly, folly, criminal folly! But it is all the same +in this country, too. The mining work in America is unscientific, +slovenly, unorganised, wasteful. I am sorry to say," he continued, +turning suddenly upon Larry, "in your western coal fields you waste +more in the smoke of your coke ovens than you make out of your coal +mines. Ah, if only those wonderful, wonderful coal fields were +under the organised and scientific direction of my country! Then +you would see--ah, what would you not see!" + +"Your country?" said Hugo Raeder, smiling. "I understood you were +an American, Professor Schaefer." + +"An American? Surely! I have been eighteen years in this country." + +"You are a citizen, I presume?" said Mr. Wakeham. + +"A citizen? Yes. I neglected that matter till recently; but I +love my Fatherland." + +"Speaking of citizenship, I have always wanted to know about the +Delbruck Law, Professor Schaefer, in regard to citizenship," said +Larry. + +The professor hesitated, "The Delbruck Law?" + +"Yes," said Larry. "How does it affect, for instance, your +American citizenship?" + +"Not at all, I should say. Not in the very least," replied +Professor Schaefer curtly and as if dismissing the subject. + +"I am not so sure of that, Professor Schaefer," said Hugo Raeder. +"I was in Germany when that law was passed. It aroused a great +deal of interest. I have not looked into it myself, but on the +face of it I should say it possesses certain rather objectionable +features." + +"Not at all, not at all, I assure you," exclaimed Professor +Schaefer. "It is simply a concession to the intense, but very +natural affection for the Fatherland in every German heart, while +at the same time it facilitates citizenship in a foreign country. +For instance, there are millions of Germans living in America who +like myself shrank from taking the oath which breaks the bond with +the Fatherland. We love America, we are Americans, we live in +America, we work in America; but naturally our hearts turn to +Germany, and we cannot forget our childhood's home. That is good, +that is worthy, that is noble--hence the Delbruck Law." + +"But what does it provide exactly?" enquired Mr. Wakeham. "I +confess I never heard of it." + +"It permits a German to become an American citizen, and at the same +time allows him to retain his connection, his heart connection, +with the Fatherland. It is a beautiful law." + +"A beautiful law," echoed his friend, Mr. Meyer. + +"Just what is the connection?" insisted Hugo Raeder. + +"Dear friend, let me explain to you. It permits him to retain his +place, his relations with his own old country people. You can +surely see the advantage of that. For instance: When I return to +Germany I find myself in full possession of all my accustomed +privileges. I am no stranger. Ah, it is beautiful! And you see +further how it establishes a new bond between the two countries. +Every German-American will become a bond of unity between these two +great nations, the two great coming nations of the world." + +"Beautiful, beautiful, glorious!" echoed Meyer. + +"But I do not understand," said Larry. "Are you still a citizen of +Germany?" + +"I am an American citizen, and proud of it," exclaimed Professor +Schaefer, dramatically. + +"Ach, so, geviss," said Meyer. "Sure! an American citizen!" + +"But you are also a citizen of Germany?" enquired Hugo Raeder. + +"If I return to Germany I resume the rights of my German citizenship, +of course." + +"Beautiful, beautiful!" exclaimed Meyer. + +"Look here, Schaefer. Be frank about this. Which are you to-day, +a citizen of Germany or of America?" + +"Both, I tell you," exclaimed Schaefer proudly. "That is the +beauty of the arrangement." + +"Ah, a beautiful arrangement!" said Meyer. + +"What? You are a citizen of another country while you claim +American citizenship?" said Raeder. "You can no more be a citizen +of two countries at the same time than the husband of two wives at +the same time." + +"Well, why not?" laughed Schaefer. "An American wife for America, +and a German wife for Germany. You will excuse me," he added, +bowing toward Mrs. Wakeham. + +"Don't be disgusting," said Hugo Raeder. "Apart from the legal +difficulty the chief difficulty about that scheme would be that +whatever the German wife might have to say to such an arrangement, +no American wife would tolerate it for an instant." + +"I was merely joking, of course," said Schaefer. + +"But, Professor Schaefer, suppose war should come between Germany +and America," said Larry. + +"War between Germany and America--the thing is preposterous +nonsense, not to be considered among the possibilities!" + +"But as a mere hypothesis for the sake of argument, what would your +position be?" persisted Larry. + +Professor Schaefer was visibly annoyed. "I say the hypothesis is +nonsense and unthinkable," he cried. + +"Come on, Schaefer, you can't escape it like that, you know," said +Hugo Raeder. "By that law of yours, where would your allegiance be +should war arise? I am asking what actually would be your +standing. Would you be a German citizen or an American citizen?" + +"The possibility does not exist," said Professor Schaefer. + +"Quite impossible," exclaimed Meyer. + +"Well, what of other countries then?" said Hugo, pursuing the +subject with a wicked delight. His sturdy Americanism resented +this bigamous citizenship. "What of France or Britain?" + +"Ah," said Professor Schaefer with a sharpening of his tone. "That +is quite easy." + +"You would be a German, eh?" said Raeder. + +"You ask me," exclaimed Professor Schaefer, "you ask me as between +Germany and France, or between Germany and Britain? I reply," he +exclaimed with a dramatic flourish of his hand, "I am a worshipper +of the life-giving sun, not of the dead moon; I follow the dawn, +not the dying day." + +But this was too much for Larry. "Without discussing which is the +sun and which is the moon, about which we might naturally differ, +Professor Schaefer, I want to be quite clear upon one point. Do I +understand you to say that if you were, say a naturalised citizen +of Canada, having sworn allegiance to our Government, enjoying the +full rights and privileges of our citizenship, you at the same time +would be free to consider yourself a citizen of Germany, and in +case of war with Britain, you would feel in duty bound to support +Germany? And is it that which the Delbruck Law is deliberately +drawn, to permit you to do?" + +"Well put, Larry!" exclaimed Hugo Raeder, to whom the German's +attitude was detestable. + +Professor Schaefer's lips curled in an unpleasant smile. "Canada, +Canadian citizenship! My dear young man, pardon! Allow me to ask +you a question. If Britain were at war with Germany, do you think +it at all likely that Canada would allow herself to become involved +in a European war? Canada is a proud, young, virile nation. Would +she be likely to link her fortunes with those of a decadent power? +Excuse me a moment," checking Larry's impetuous reply with his +hand. "Believe me, we know something about these things. We make +it our business to know. You acknowledge that we know something +about your mines; let me assure you that there is nothing about +your country that we do not know. Nothing. Nothing. We know the +feeling in Canada. Where would Canada be in such a war? Not with +Germany, I would not say that. But would she stand with England?" + +Larry sprang to his feet. "Where would Canada be? Let me tell +you, Professor Schaefer," shaking his finger in the professor's +face. "To her last man and her last dollar Canada would be with +the Empire." + +"Hear, hear!" shouted Hugo Raeder. + +The professor looked incredulous. "And yet," he said with a sneer, +"one-half of your people voted for Reciprocity with the United +States." + +"Reciprocity! And yet you say you know Canada," exclaimed Larry in +a tone of disgust. "Do you know, sir, what defeated Reciprocity +with this country? Not hostility to the United States; there is +nothing but the kindliest feeling among Canadians for Americans. +But I will tell you what defeated Reciprocity. It was what we +might call the ultra loyal spirit of the Canadian people toward the +Empire. The Canadians were Empire mad. The bare suggestion of the +possibility of any peril to the Empire bond made them throw out Sir +Wilfrid Laurier and the Liberal Party. That, of course, with other +subordinate causes." + +"I fancy our Mr. Taft helped a bit," said Hugo Raeder. + +"Undoubtedly Mr. Taft's unfortunate remarks were worked to the +limit by the Conservative Party. But all I say is that any +suggestion, I will not say of disloyalty, but even of indifference, +to the Empire of Canada is simply nonsense." + +At this point a servant brought in a telegram and handed it to Mr. +Wakeham. "Excuse me, my dear," he said to his wife, opened the +wire, read it, and passed it to Hugo Raeder. "From your chief, +Hugo." + +"Much in that, do you think, sir?" inquired Hugo, passing the +telegram back to him. + +"Oh, a little flurry in the market possibly," said Mr. Wakeham. +"What do you think about that, Schaefer?" Mr. Wakeham continued, +handing him the wire. + +Professor Schaefer glanced at the telegram. "My God!" he exclaimed, +springing to his feet. "It is come, it is come at last!" He spoke +hurriedly in German to his friend, Meyer, and handed him the +telegram. + +Meyer read it. "God in heaven!" he cried. "It is here!" In +intense excitement he poured forth a torrent of interrogations in +German, receiving animated replies from Professor Schaefer. Then +grasping the professor's hand in both of his, he shook it with wild +enthusiasm. + +"At last!" he cried. "At last! Thank God, our day has come!" + +Completely ignoring the rest of the company, the two Germans +carried on a rapid and passionate conversation in their own tongue +with excited gesticulations, which the professor concluded by +turning to his hostess and saying, "Mrs. Wakeham, you will excuse +us. Mr. Wakeham, you can send us to town at once?" + +By this time the whole company were upon their feet gazing with +amazement upon the two excited Germans. + +"But what is it?" cried Mrs. Wakeham. "What has happened? Is +there anything wrong? What is it, Professor Schaefer? What is +your wire about, Garrison?" + +"Oh, nothing at all, my dear, to get excited about. My financial +agent wires me that the Press will announce to-morrow that Austria +has presented an ultimatum to Servia demanding an answer within +forty-eight hours." + +"Oh, is that all," she said in a tone of vast relief. "What a +start you all gave me. An ultimatum to Servia? What is it all +about?" + +"Why, you remember, my dear, the murder of the Archduke Ferdinand +about three weeks ago?" + +"Oh, yes, I remember. I had quite forgotten it. Poor thing, how +terrible it was! Didn't they get the murderer? It seems to me +they caught him." + +"You will excuse us, Mrs. Wakeham," said Professor Schaefer, +approaching her. "We deeply regret leaving this pleasant party and +your hospitable home, but it is imperative that we go." + +"But, my dear Professor Schaefer, to-night?" exclaimed Mrs. Wakeham. + +"Why, Schaefer, what's the rush? Are you caught in the market?" +said Wakeham with a little laugh. "You cannot do anything to-night +at any rate, you know. We will have you in early to-morrow +morning." + +"No, no, to-night, now, immediately!" shouted Meyer in uncontrollable +excitement. + +"But why all the excitement, Schaefer?" said Hugo Raeder, smiling +at him. "Austria has presented an ultimatum to Servia--what about +it?" + +"What about it? Oh, you Americans; you are so provincial. Did you +read the ultimatum? Do you know what it means? It means war!" + +"War!" cried Meyer. "War at last! Thank God! Tonight must we in +New York become." + +Shaking hands hurriedly with Mrs. Wakeham, and with a curt bow to +the rest of the company, Meyer hurriedly left the room, followed by +Professor Schaefer and Mr. Wakeham. + +"Aren't they funny!" said Rowena. "They get so excited about +nothing." + +"Well, it is hardly nothing," said Hugo Raeder. "Any European war +is full of all sorts of possibilities. You cannot throw matches +about in a powder magazine without some degree of danger." + +"May I read the ultimatum?" said Larry to Mrs. Wakeham, who held +the telegram in her hand. + +"Pretty stiff ultimatum," said Hugo Raeder. "Read it out, Larry." + +"Servia will have to eat dirt," said Larry when he had finished. +"Listen to this: She must 'accept the collaboration in Servia of +representatives of the Austro-Hungarian Government for the +consideration of the subversive movements directed against the +Territorial integrity of the Monarchy.' 'Accept collaboration' of +the representatives of the Austro-hungarian Government in this +purely internal business, mind you. And listen to this: +'Delegates of the Austro-Hungarian Government will take part in the +investigation relating thereto.' Austrian lawyers and probably +judges investigating Servian subjects in Servia? Why, the thing is +impossible." + +"It is quite evident," said Hugo Raeder, "that Austria means war." + +"Poor little Servia, she will soon be eaten up," said Rowena. "She +must be bankrupt from her last war." + +"But why all this excitement on the part of our German friends?" +inquired Mrs. Wakeham. "What has Germany to do with Austria and +Servia?" + +At this point Professor Schaefer and his friend re-entered the room +ready for their departure. + +"I was just inquiring," said Mrs. Wakeham, "how this ultimatum of +Austria's to Servia can affect Germany particularly." + +"Affect Germany?" cried Professor Schaefer. + +"Yes," said Hugo Raeder, "what has Germany to do with the scrap +unless she wants to butt in?" + +"Ha! ha! My dear man, have you read no history of the last twenty +years? But you Americans know nothing about history, nothing about +anything except your own big, overgrown country." + +"I thought you were an American citizen, Schaefer?" inquired Hugo. + +"An American," exclaimed Schaefer, "an American, ah, yes, certainly; +but in Europe and in European politics, a German, always a German." + +"But why should Germany butt in?" continued Hugo. + +"Butt in, Germany butt in? Things cannot be settled in Europe +without Germany. Besides, there is Russia longing for the +opportunity to attack." + +"To attack Germany?" + +"To attack Austria first, Germany's ally and friend, and then +Germany. The trouble is you Americans do not live in the world. +You are living on your own continent here removed from the big +world, ignorant of all world movements, the most provincial people +in all the world. Else you would not ask me such foolish +questions. This ultimatum means war. First, Austria against +Servia; Russia will help Servia; France will help Russia; Germany +will help Austria. There you have the beginning of a great +European war. How far this conflagration will spread, only God +knows." + +The car being announced, the Germans made a hurried exit, in their +overpowering excitement omitting the courtesy of farewells to +household and guests. + +"They seem to be terribly excited, those Germans," said Miss +Rowena. + +"They are," said Hugo; "I am glad I am not a German. To a German +war is so much the biggest thing in life." + +"It is really too bad," said Mrs. Wakeham; "we shall not have the +pleasure of Professor Schaefer's music. He plays quite exquisitely. +You would all have greatly enjoyed it. Rowena, you might play +something. Well, for my part," continued Mrs. Wakeham, settling +herself placidly in her comfortable chair, "I am glad I am an +American. Those European countries, it seems to me, are always in +some trouble or other." + +"I am glad I am a Canadian," said Larry. "We are much too busy to +think of anything so foolish and useless as war." + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +WAR + + +"Come, Jane, we have just time to take a look at the lake from the +top of the hill before we get ready for church," said Ethel Murray. +"It will be worth seeing to-day." + +"Me too, me too," shrieked two wee girls in bare legs and sandals, +clutching Jane about the legs. + +"All right, Isabel; all right, Helen. I'll take you with me," said +Jane. "But you must let me go, you know." + +They all raced around the house and began to climb the sheer, rocky +hill that rose straight up from the rear. + +"Here, Jim, help me with these kiddies," said Jane to a lank lad of +fifteen, whom she ran into at the corner of the house just where +the climb began. + +Jim swung the younger, little Helen, upon his shoulder and together +they raced to the top, scrambling, slipping, falling, but finally +arriving there, breathless and triumphant. Before them lay a bit +of Canada's loveliest lake, the Lake of the Woods, so-called from +its myriad, heavily wooded islands, that make of its vast expanse a +maze of channels, rivers and waterways. Calm, without a ripple, +lay the glassy, sunlit surface, each island, rock and tree meeting +its reflected image at the water line, the sky above flecked with +floating clouds, making with the mirrored sky below one perfect +whole. + +"Oh, Ethel, I had forgotten just how beautiful this is," breathed +Jane, while the rest stood silent looking down upon the mirrored +rocks and islands, trees and sky. + +Even the two little girls stood perfectly still, for they had been +taught to take the first views from the top in silence. + +"Look at the Big Rock," said Helen. "They are two rocks kissing +each other." + +"Oh, you little sweetheart," said Jane, kissing her. "That is just +what they are doing. It is not often that you get it so perfectly +still as this, is it, Jim?" + +"Not so very often. Sometimes just at sunrise you get it this +way." + +"At sunrise! Do you very often see it then?" + +"Yes, he gets up to catch fishes," said wee Helen. + +"Do you?" + +Jim nodded. "Are you game to come along to-morrow morning?" + +"At what hour?" + +"Five o'clock." + +"Don't do it, Jane," said Ethel. "It tires you for the day." + +"I will come, Jim; I would love to come," said Jane. + +For some time they stood gazing down upon the scene below them. +Then turning to the children abruptly, Ethel said, "Now, then, +children, you run down and get ready; that is, if you are going to +church. Take them down, Jim." + +"All right, Ethel," said Jim. "See there, Jane," he continued, +"that neck of land across the traverse--that's where the old Hudson +Bay trail used to run that goes from the Big Lakes to Winnipeg. +It's the old war trail of the Crees too. Wouldn't you like to have +seen them in the old days?" + +"I would run and hide," said Isabel, "so they could not see me." + +"I would not be afraid," said Helen, straightening up to her full +height of six years. "I would shoot them dead." + +"Poor things," said Jane, in a pitiful voice. "And then their +little babies at home would cry and cry." + +Helen looked distressed. "I would not shoot the ones that had +babies." + +"But then," said Jane, "the poor wives would sit on the ground and +wail and wail, like the Indians we heard the other night. Oh, it +sounded very sad." + +"I would not shoot the ones with wives or babies or anything," said +Helen, determined to escape from her painful dilemma. + +"Oh, only the boys and young men?" said Jane. "And then the poor +old mothers would cry and cry and tear their hair for the boys who +would never come back." + +Helen stood in perplexed silence. Then she said shyly, "I wouldn't +shoot any of them unless they tried to shoot me or Mother or Daddy." + +"Or me," said Jane, throwing her arms around the little girl. + +"Yes," said Helen, "or you, or anybody in our house." + +"That seems a perfectly safe place to leave it, Helen," said Ethel. +"I think even the most pronounced pacifist would accept that as a +justification of war. I fancy that is why poor little Servia is +fighting big bullying Austria to-day. But run down now; hurry, +hurry; the launch will be ready in a few minutes, and if you are +not ready you know Daddy won't wait." + +But they were ready and with the round dozen, which with the +visitors constituted the Murray household at their island home, +they filled the launch, Jim at the wheel. It was a glorious Sunday +morning and the whole world breathed peace. Through the mazes of +the channels among the wooded islands the launch made its way, +across open traverse, down long waterways like rivers between high, +wooded banks, through cuts and gaps, where the waters boiled and +foamed, they ran, for the most part drinking in silently the +exquisite and varied beauty of lake and sky and woods. Silent they +were but for the quiet talk and cheery laughter of the younger +portion of the company, until they neared the little town, when the +silence that hung over the lake and woods was invaded by other +launches outbound and in. The Kenora docks were crowded with +rowboats, sailboats, canoes and launches of all sorts and sizes, so +that it took some steering skill on Jim's part to land them at the +dock without bumping either themselves or any one else. + +"Oh, look!" exclaimed Isabel, whose sharp eyes were darting +everywhere. "There's the Rushbrooke's lovely new launch. Isn't it +beautiful!" + +"Huh!" shouted Helen. "It is not half as pretty as ours." + +"Oh, hush, Helen," said the scandalised Isabel. "It is lovely, +isnt it, Jane? And there is Lloyd Rushbrooke. I think he's +lovely, too. And who is that with him, Jane--that pretty girl? +Oh, isn't she pretty?" + +"That's Helen Brookes," said Jane in a low voice. + +"Oh, isn't she lovely!" exclaimed Isabel. + +"Lovely bunch, Isabel," said Jim with a grin. + +"I don't care, they are," insisted Isabel. "And there is Mr. +McPherson, Jane," she added, her sharp eyes catching sight of their +Winnipeg minister through the crowd. "He's coming this way. What +are the people all waiting for, Jane?" + +The Reverend Andrew McPherson was a tall, slight, dark man, +straight but for the student's stoop of his shoulders, and with a +strikingly Highland Scotch cast of countenance, high cheek bones, +keen blue eyes set deep below a wide forehead, long jaw that +clamped firm lips together. He came straight to where Mr. Murray +and Dr. Brown were standing. + +"I have just received from a friend in Winnipeg the most terrible +news," he said in a low voice. "Germany has declared war on Russia +and France." + +"War! War! Germany!" exclaimed the men in awed, hushed voices, a +startled look upon their grave faces. + +"What is it, James?" said Mrs. Murray. + +Mr. Murray repeated the news to her. + +"Germany at war?" she said. "I thought it was Austria and Servia. +Isn't it?" + +"Yes, my dear," said Mr. Murray hastily, as if anxious to cover up +his wife's display of ignorance of the European situation. +"Austria has been at war with Servia for some days, but now Germany +has declared war apparently upon France and Russia." + +"But what has Germany to do with it, or Russia either, or France?" + +They moved off together from the docks toward the church, +discussing the ominous news. + +"Oh, look, Jane," said Isabel once more. "There's Ramsay Dunn. +Isn't he looking funny?" + +"Pickled, I guess," said Jim, with a glance at the young man who +with puffed and sodden face was gazing with dull and stupid eyes +across the lake. On catching sight of the approaching party Ramsay +Dunn turned his back sharply upon them and became intensely +absorbed in the launch at his side. But Jane would not have it +thus. + +"Ask him to come over this afternoon," she said to Ethel. "His +mother would like it." + +"Good morning, Ramsay," said Ethel as they passed him. + +Ramsay turned sharply, stood stiff and straight, then saluted with +an elaborate bow. "Good morning, Ethel. Why, good morning, Jane. +You down here? Delighted to see you." + +"Ramsay, could you come over this afternoon to our island?" said +Ethel. "Jane is going back this week." + +"Sure thing, Ethel. Nothing but scarlet fever, small-pox, or other +contectious or infagious, confagious or intexious--eh, disease will +prevent me. The afternoon or the evening?" he added with what he +meant to be a most ingratiating smile. "The late afternoon or the +early evening?" + +The little girls, who had been staring at him with wide, wondering +eyes, began to giggle. + +"I'll be there," continued Ramsay. "I'll be there, I'll be there, +when the early evening cometh, I'll be there." He bowed deeply to +the young ladies and winked solemnly at Isabel, who by this time +was finding it quite impossible to control her giggles. + +"Isn't he awfully funny?" she said as they moved off. "I think he +is awfully funny." + +"Funny!" said Ethel. "Disgusting, I think." + +"Oh, Ethel, isn't it terribly sad?" said Jane. "Poor Mrs. Dunn, +she feels so awfully about it. They say he is going on these days +in a perfectly dreadful way." + +The little brick church was comfortably filled with the townsfolk +and with such of the summer visitors as had not "left their +religion behind them in Winnipeg," as Jane said. The preacher was +a little man whose speech betrayed his birth, and the theology and +delivery of whose sermon bore the unmistakable marks of his +Edinburgh training. He discoursed in somewhat formal but in +finished style upon the blessings of rest, with obvious application +to the special circumstances of the greater part of his audience +who had come to this most beautiful of all Canada's beautiful spots +seeking these blessings. To further emphasise the value of their +privileges, he contrasted with their lot the condition of unhappy +Servia now suffering from the horrors of war and threatened with +extinction by its tyrannical neighbour, Austria. The war could end +only in one way. In spite of her gallant and heroic fight Servia +was doomed to defeat. But a day of reckoning would surely come, +for this was not the first time that Austria had exercised its +superior power in an act of unrighteous tyranny over smaller +states. The God of righteousness was still ruling in his world, +and righteousness would be done. + +At the close of the service, while they were singing the final +hymn, Mr. McPherson, after a whispered colloquy with Mr. Murray, +made his way to the pulpit, where he held an earnest conversation +with the minister. Instead of pronouncing the benediction and +dismissing the congregation when the final "Amen" had been sung, +the minister invited the people to resume their seats, when Mr. +McPherson rose and said, + +"Friends, we have just learned that a great and terrible evil has +fallen upon the world. Five days ago the world was shocked by the +announcement that Austria had declared war upon Servia. Through +these days the powers of Europe, or at least some of them, and +chief among them Great Britain, have been labouring to localise the +war and to prevent its extension. To-day the sad, the terrible +announcement is made that Germany has declared war upon both Russia +and France. What an hour may bring forth, we know not. But not in +our day, or in our fathers' day, have we faced so great a peril as +we face to-day. For we cannot forget that our Empire is held by +close and vital ties to the Republic of France in the entente +cordiale. Let us beseech Almighty God to grant a speedy end to war +and especially to guide the King's counsellors that they may lead +this Empire in the way that is wise and right and honourable." + +In the brief prayer that followed there fell upon the people an +overpowering sense of the futility of man's wisdom, and of the need +of the might and wisdom that are not man's but God's. + +Two days later Mr. Murray and the children accompanied Dr. Brown +and Jane to Kenora on their way back to the city. As they were +proceeding to the railway station they were arrested by a group +that stood in front of the bulletin board upon which since the war +began the local newspaper was wont to affix the latest despatches. +The group was standing in awed silence staring at the bulletin +board before them. Dr. Brown pushed his way through, read the +despatch, looked around upon the faces beside him, read the words +once more, came back to where his party were standing and stood +silent. + +"What is it?" inquired Mr. Murray. + +"War," said Dr. Brown in a husky whisper. Then clearing his +throat, "War--Britain and Germany." + +War! For the first time in the memory of living man that word was +spoken in a voice that stopped dead still the Empire in the daily +routine of its life. War! That word whispered in the secret +silent chamber of the man whose chief glory had been his title as +Supreme War Lord of Europe, swift as the lightning's flash circled +the globe, arresting multitudes of men busy with their peaceful +tasks, piercing the hearts of countless women with a new and +nameless terror, paralysing the activities of nations engaged in +the arts of peace, transforming into bitter enemies those living in +the bonds of brotherhood, and loosing upon the world the fiends of +hell. + +Mr. Murray turned to his boy. "Jim," he said, "I must go to +Winnipeg. Take the children home and tell their mother. I shall +wire you to-morrow when to meet me." Awed, solemnised and in +silence they took their ways. + +Arrived at the railway station, Mr. Murray changed his mind. He +was a man clear in thought and swift in action. His first thought +had been of his business as being immediately affected by this new +and mighty fact of war. Then he thought of other and wider +interests. + +"Let us go back, Dr. Brown," he said. "A large number of our +business men are at the Lake. I suppose half of our Board of Trade +are down here. We can reach them more easily here than any place +else, and it is important that we should immediately get them +together. Excuse me while I wire to my architect. I must stop +that block of mine." + +They returned together to the launch. On their way back to their +island they called to see Mr. McPherson. "You were right," was Mr. +Murray's greeting to him. "It has come; Britain has declared war." + +Mr. McPherson stood gazing at him in solemn silence. "War," he +said at length. "We are really in." + +"Yes, you were right, Mr. McPherson," said Dr. Brown. "I could not +believe it; I cannot believe it yet. Why we should have gone into +this particular quarrel, for the life of me I cannot understand." + +"I was afraid from the very first," said McPherson, "and when once +Russia and France were in I knew that Britain could not honourably +escape." + +As they were talking together a launch went swiftly by. "That's +the Rushbrooke's launch," said Jim. + +Mr. Murray rushed out upon the pier and, waving his hand, brought +it to a halt and finally to the dock. "Have you heard the news?" +he said to the lady who sat near the stern. "Britain has declared +war." + +"Oh," replied Mrs. Rushbrooke, "why on earth has she done that? It +is perfectly terrible." + +"Terrible, indeed," said Mr. McPherson. "But we must face it. It +changes everything in life--business, society, home, everything +will immediately feel the effect of this thing." + +"Oh, Mr. McPherson," exclaimed Mrs. Rushbrooke, "I can hardly see +how it will quite change everything for us here in Canada. For +instance," she added with a gay laugh, "I do not see that it will +change our bonfire tonight. By the way, I see you are not gone, +Dr. Brown. You and Jane will surely come over; and, Mr. Murray, +you will bring your young people and Mrs. Murray; and, Mr. +McPherson, I hope you will be able to come. It is going to be a +charming evening and you will see a great many of your friends. I +think a bonfire on one of the islands makes a very pretty sight." + +"I am not sure whether I can take the time, Mrs. Rushbrooke," said +Mr. Murray. "I had thought of seeing a number of our business men +who are down here at the Lake." + +"Oh, can't you leave business even while you are here? You really +ought to forget business during your holidays, Mr. Murray." + +"I mean in relation to the war," said Mr. Murray. + +"Good gracious, what can they possibly do about the war down here? +But if you want to see them they will all be with us to-night. So +you had better come along. But we shall have to hurry, Lloyd; I +have a lot of things to do and a lot of people to feed. We have +got to live, haven't we?" she added as the launch got under way. + +"Got to live," said Mr. McPherson after they had gone. "Ah, even +that necessity has been changed. The necessity for living, which I +am afraid most of us have considered to be of first importance, has +suddenly given place to another necessity." + +"And that?" said Mr. Murray. + +"The necessity not to live, but to do our duty. Life has become +all at once a very simple thing." + +"Well, we have got to keep going in the meantime at any rate," said +Mr. Murray. + +"Going, yes; but going where?" said Mr. McPherson. "All roads now, +for us, lead to one spot." + +"And that spot?" said Mr. Murray. + +"The battlefield." + +"Why, Mr. McPherson, we must not lose our heads; we must keep sane +and reasonable. Eh, Doctor?" + +"I confess that this thing has completely stunned me," said Dr. +Brown. "You see I could not believe, I would not believe that war +was possible in our day. I would not believe you, Mr. McPherson. +I thought you had gone mad on this German scare. But you were +right. My God, I can't get my bearings yet; we are really at war!" + +"God grant that Canada may see its duty clearly," said Mr. McPherson. +"God make us strong to bear His will." + +They hurried back to their island, each busy with his thoughts, +seeking to readjust life to this new and horrible environment. + +Mrs. Murray met them at the dock. "You are back, Dr. Brown," she +cried. "Did you forget something? We are glad to see you at any +rate." Then noticing the men's faces, she said, "What is the +matter, James? Is there anything wrong?" + +"We bring terrible news, Mother," he said. "We are at war." + +Mrs. Murray's' mind, like her husband's, moved swiftly. She was a +life partner in the fullest sense. In business as in the home she +shared his plans and purposes. "What about the block, James?" she +asked. + +"I wired Eastwood," he replied, "to stop that." + +"What is it, Mother?" inquired Isabel, who stood upon the dock +clinging to her mother's dress, and who saw in the grave, faces +about her signs of disaster. + +"Hush, dear," said her mother. "Nothing that you can understand." +She would keep from her children this horror as long as she could. + +At lunch in the midst of the most animated conversation the talk +would die out, and all would be busy fitting their lives to war. +Like waves ever deepening in volume and increasing in force, the +appalling thought of war beat upon their minds. After lunch they +sat together in the screened veranda talking quietly together of +the issues, the consequences to them and to their community, to +their country, and to the world at large, of this thing that had +befallen them. They made the amazing discovery that they were +almost entirely ignorant of everything that had to do with war, +even the relative military strength of the belligerent nations. +One thing like a solid back wall of rock gave them a sense of +security--the British Navy was still supreme. + +"Let's see, did they cut down the Navy estimates during the last +Parliament? I know they were always talking of reduction," +inquired Mr. Murray. + +"I am afraid I know nothing about it," said Dr. Brown. "Last week +I would have told you 'I hope so'; to-day I profoundly hope not. +Jane, you ought to know about this. Jane is the war champion in +our family," he added with a smile. + +"No, there has been no reduction; Winston Churchill has carried on +his programme. He wanted to halt the building programme, you +remember, but the Germans would not agree. So I think the Navy is +quite up to the mark. But, of course," she added, "the German Navy +is very strong too." + +"Ah, I believe you are right, Jane," said Dr. Brown. "How +completely we were all hoodwinked. I cannot believe that we are +actually at war. Our friend Romayne was right. By the way, what +about Romayne, Jane?" + +"Who is he?" inquired Mr. Murray. + +"Romayne?" said Dr. Brown. "Oh, he's a great friend of ours in the +West. He married a sister of young Gwynne, you know. He was an +attache of the British Embassy in Berlin, and was, as we thought, +quite mad on the subject of preparation for war. He and Jane hit +it off tremendously last autumn when we were visiting the Gwynnes. +Was he not an officer in the Guards or something, Jane?" + +"Yes," replied Jane, fear leaping into her eyes. "Oh, Papa, do you +think he will have to go? Surely he would not." + +"What? Go back to England?" said Dr. Brown. "I hardly think so. +I do not know, but perhaps he may." + +"Oh, Papa!" exclaimed Jane, the quick tears in her eyes. "Think of +his wife and little baby!" + +"My God!" exclaimed Dr. Brown. "It is war that is upon us." + +A fresh wave of horror deeper than any before swept their souls. +"Surely he won't need to go," he said after a pause. + +"But his regiment will be going," said Jane, whose face had become +very pale and whose eyes were wide with horror. "His regiment will +be going and," she added, "he will go too." The tears were quietly +running down her face. She knew Jack Romayne and she had the +courage to accept the truth which as yet her father put from his +mind. + +Dumb they sat, unschooled in language fitted to deal with the tides +of emotion that surged round this new and overwhelming fact of war. +Where next would this dread thing strike? + +"Canada will doubtless send some troops," said Dr. Brown. "We sent +to South Africa, let me see, was it five thousand?" + +"More, I think, Papa," said Jane. + +"We will send twice or three times that number this time," said Mr. +Murray. + +And again silence fell upon them. They were each busy with the +question who would go. Swiftly their minds ran over the homes of +their friends and acquaintances. + +"Well, Doctor," said Mr. Murray, with a great effort at a laugh, +"you can't send your boy at any rate." + +"No," said Dr. Brown. "But if my girl had been a boy, I fear I +could not hold her. Eh, Jane?" But Jane only smiled a very +doubtful smile in answer. + +"We may all have to go, Doctor," said Mr. Murray. "If the war +lasts long enough." + +"Nonsense, James," said his wife with a quick glance at her two +little girls. Her boy was fifteen. Thank God, she would not have +to face the question of his duty in regard to war. "They would not +be taking old men like you, James," she added. + +Mr. Murray laughed at her. "Well, hardly, I suppose, my dear," he +replied. "I rather guess we won't be allowed to share the glory +this time, Doctor." + +Dr. Brown sat silent for a few moments, then said quietly, "The +young fellows, of course, will get the first chance." + +"Oh, let's not talk about it," said Ethel. "Come, Jane, let's go +exploring." + +Jane rose. + +"And me, too," cried Isabel. + +"And me," cried Helen. + +Ethel hesitated. "Let them come, Ethel," said Jane. "We shall go +slowly." + +An exploration of the island was always a thing of unmixed and +varied delight. There were something over twenty-five acres of +wooded hills running up to bare rocks, ravines deep in shrub and +ferns, and lower levels thick with underbrush and heavy timber. +Every step of the way new treasures disclosed themselves, ferns and +grasses, shrubs and vines, and everywhere the wood flowers, shy and +sweet. Everywhere, too, on fallen logs, on the grey rocks, and on +the lower ground where the aromatic balsams and pines stood silent +and thick, were mosses, mosses of all hues and depths. In the +sunlit open spaces gorgeous butterflies and gleaming dragon flies +fluttered and darted, bees hummed, and birds sang and twittered. +There the children's voices were mingled in cheery shouts and +laughter with the other happy sounds that filled the glades. But +when they came to the dark pines, solemn and silent except when the +wind moved in their tasselled tops with mysterious, mournful +whispering, the children hushed their voices and walked softly upon +the deep moss. + +"It is like being in church," said Helen, her little soul +exquisitely sensitive to the mystic, fragrant silences and glooms +that haunted the pine grove. + +On a sloping hillside under the pines they lay upon the mossy bed, +the children listening for the things that lived in these shadowy +depths. + +"They are all looking at us," said Isabel in a voice of awed +mystery. "Lots and lots of eyes are just looking, looking, and +looking." + +"Why, Isabel, you give me the creeps," laughed Jane. "Whisht! +They'll hear you," said Isabel, darting swift glances among the +trees. + +"The dear things," said Jane. "They would love to play with you if +they only knew how." This was quite a new idea to the children. +Hitherto the shy things had been more associated with fear than +with play. "They would love to play tag with you," continued Jane, +"round these trees, if you could only coax them out. They are so +shy." + +Stealthily the children began to move among the bushes, alert for +the watching eyes and the shy faces of the wild things that made +their homes in these dark dwellings. The girls sat silent, looking +out through the interlacing boughs upon the gleam of the lake +below. They dearly loved this spot. It was a favourite haunt with +them, the very spot for confidence, and many a happy hour had they +spent together here. To-day they sat without speech; there was +nothing that they cared to talk about. It was only yesterday in +this same place they had talked over all things under the sun. +They had exchanged with each other their stores of kindly gossip +about all their friends and their friends' friends. Only yesterday +it was that Ethel for the twentieth time had gone over with Jane +all the intricately perplexing and delightful details in regard to +her coming-out party next winter. All the boys and girls were to +be invited, and Jane was to help with the serving. It was only +yesterday that in a moment of quite unusual frankness Ethel had +read snatches of a letter which had come from Macleod, who was out +in a mission field in Saskatchewan. How they had laughed together, +all in a kindly way, over the solemn, formal phrases of the young +Scotch Canadian missionary, Ethel making sport of his solemnity and +Jane warmly defending him. How they had talked over the boys' +affairs, as girls will talk, and of their various loves and how +they fared, and of the cruelties practised upon them. And last of +all Ethel had talked of Larry, Jane listening warily the while and +offering an occasional bit of information to keep the talk going. +And all of this only yesterday; not ten years ago, or a year ago, +but yesterday! And to-day not a word seemed possible. The world +had changed over night. How different from that unshaded, sunny +world of yesterday! How sunny it was but yesterday! Life now was +a thing of different values. Ah, that was it. The values were all +altered. Things big yesterday had shrunk almost to the point of +disappearance to-day. Things that yesterday seemed remote and +vague, to-day filled their horizon, for some of them dark enough. +Determined to ignore that gaunt Spectre standing there, in the +shadow silent and grim, they would begin to talk on themes good +yesterday for an hour's engrossing conversation, but before they +were aware they had forgotten the subject of their talk and found +themselves sitting together dumb and looking out upon the gleam of +the waters, thinking, thinking and ever thinking, while nearer and +ever more terrible moved the Spectre of War. It was like the +falling of night upon their world. From the landscape things +familiar and dear were blotted out, and in their place moved upon +them strange shapes unreal and horrible. + +At length they gave it up, called the children and went back to the +others. At the dock they found a launch filled with visitors +bringing news--great news and glorious. A big naval battle had been +fought in the North Sea! Ten British battleships had been sunk, but +the whole German fleet had been destroyed! For the first time war +took on some colour. Crimson and purple and gold began to shoot +through the sombre black and grey. A completely new set of emotions +filled their hearts, a new sense of exultation, a new pride in that +great British Navy which hitherto had been a mere word in a history +book, or in a song. The children who, after their manner, were +quickest to catch and to carry on to their utmost limits the +emotions of the moment, were jubilantly triumphant. Some of them +were carrying little Union Jacks in their hands. For the first time +in their lives that flag became a thing of pride and power, a thing +to shout for. It stood for something invisible but very real. Even +their elders were not insensible to that something. Hitherto they +had taken that flag for granted. They had hung it out of their +windows on Empire Day or on Dominion Day as a patriotic symbol, but +few of them would have confessed, except in a half-shamed, apologetic +way, to any thrill at the flapping of that bit of bunting. They had +shrunk from a display of patriotic emotion. They were not like +their American cousins, who were ever ready to rave over Old Glory. +That sort of emotional display was un-Canadian, un-British. But +to-day somehow the flag had changed. The flag had changed because +it fluttered in a new world, a new light fell upon it, the light of +battle. It was a war flag to-day. Men were fighting under it, were +fighting for all it represented, were dying under its folds, and +proudly and gladly. + +"And all the men will go to fight, your father and my father, and +all the big boys," Ethel heard a little friend confide to Isabel. + +"Hush, Mabel," said Ethel sharply. "Don't be silly." + +But the word had been spoken and as a seed it fell upon fertile +soil. The launch went off with the children waving their flags and +cheering. And again upon those left upon the dock the shadow +settled heavier than before. That was the way with that shadow. +It was always heavier, thicker, more ominous after each interlude +of relief. + +It was the same at the bonfire in the evening at the Rushbrookes'. +The island was a fairy picture of mingling lights and shadows. As +the flaming west grew grey, the pale silver of the moon, riding +high and serene, fell upon the crowding, gaily decked launches that +thronged the docks and moored to the shore; upon the dark balsams +and silver birches hung with parti-coloured gaudy Chinese lanterns; +upon the groups of girls, fair and sweet in their white summer +camping frocks, and young men in flannels, their bare necks and +arms showing brown and strong; upon little clusters of their +fathers and mothers gravely talking together. From the veranda +above, mingling with the laughing, chattering voices, the alluring +strains of the orchestra invited to waltz, or fox trot. As the +flame died from the western sky and the shadows crept down from the +trees, the bonfire was set alight. As the flame leaped high the +soft strains of the orchestra died away. Then suddenly, clear, +full and strong, a chord sounded forth, another, and then another. +A hush fell upon the chattering, laughing crowd. Then as they +caught the strain men lolling upon the ground sprang to their feet; +lads stood at attention. + + + "Send him victorious," + + +some one sang timidly, giving words to the music. In one instant a +hundred throats were wide open singing the words: + + + "Happy and glorious, + Long to reign over us, + God save our King." + + +Again the chords sounded and at once the verse from the first was +sung again. + + + "God save our gracious King, + Long live our noble King, + God save our King, + Send him victorious, + Happy and glorious, + Long to reign over us, + God save our King." + + +As the last note died Ramsay Dunn leaped upon a huge boulder, threw +up his hand and began, + + + "In days of yore, from Britain's shore." + + +A yell greeted him, sudden, fierce, triumphant, drowned his voice, +then ceased! And again from a hundred throats of men and women, +boys and girls, the words rang out, + + + "There may it wave, our boast and pride, + And joined in love together, + The thistle, shamrock, rose entwine, + The Maple Leaf forever." + + +Again and again and once again they followed Ramsay in the quick, +shrill Canadian cheer that was to be heard in after days in places +widely different and far remote from that gay, moonlit, lantern- +decked, boat-thronged, water-lapped island in that far northern +Canadian lake. Following the cheers there came stillness. Men +looked sheepishly at each other as if caught in some silly prank. +Then once more the Spectre drew near. But this time they declined +not to look, but with steady, grave, appraising eyes they faced The +Thing, resolute to know the worst, and in quiet undertones they +talked together of War. + +The bonfire roared gloriously up through the dark night, throwing +far gleams out upon the moonlit waters in front and upon the dark +woods behind. The people gathered about the fire and disposed +themselves in groups upon the sloping, grassy sward under the +trees, upon the shelving rocks and upon the sandy shore. + +But Mr. Murray had business on hand. In company with Dr. Brown and +the minister, Mr. McPherson, he sought his host. "Would it be +possible, Mr. Rushbrooke," he said, "to gather a number of business +men here together?" + +"What for?" inquired Rushbrooke. + +"Well, I may be all wrong," said Mr. Murray apologetically, "but +I have the feeling that we ought without delay to discuss what +preliminary steps should be taken to meet with the critical +conditions brought on by the war." + +"But, Mr. Murray," cried Mrs. Rushbrooke, who was standing by her +husband's side, "they are all so happy it would seem a great pity +to introduce this horrible thing at such a time." + +"Do you really think it necessary, Murray?" said Mr. Rushbrooke, +who was an older man than Mr. Murray, and who was unwilling to +accede to him any position of dominance in the business world of +Winnipeg. "There's really nothing we can do. It seems to me that +we must keep our heads and as far as possible prevent undue +excitement and guard against panic." + +"Perhaps you are right, Mr. Rushbrooke. The thought in my mind was +that we ought to get a meeting together in Winnipeg soon. But +everybody is away. A great many are here at the Lake; it seemed a +good opportunity to make some preliminary arrangement." + +"My dear Mr. Murray," said Mrs. Rushbrooke, "I cannot help feeling +that you take this too seriously, besides there can hardly be need +for such precipitate action. Of course, we are at war, and Canada +will do her part, but to introduce such a horrible theme in a +company of young people seems to me to be somehow out of place." + +"Very well, Mrs. Rushbrooke, if you say so. I have no desire to +intrude," said Mr. Murray. + +"But, Mr. Rushbrooke, the thing has to be faced," interposed Mr. +McPherson. "We cannot shut our eyes to the fact of war, and this +is the supreme fact in our national life to-day. Everything else +is secondary." + +"Oh, I do not agree with you, Mr. McPherson," said Mrs. Rushbrooke, +taking the word out of her husband's mouth. "Of course war is +terrible and all that, but men must do their work. The Doctor here +must continue to look after his sick, Mr. Murray has his business, +you must care for your congregation." + +"I do not know about that, Mrs. Rushbrooke," said the minister. "I +do not know about that at all." + +"Why, Mr. McPherson, you surprise me! Must not my husband attend +to his business, must not the Doctor look after his patients?" + +A number of men had gathered about during the course of the +conversation. "No," said Mr. McPherson, his voice ringing out in +decided tones. "There is only one 'must' for us now, and that is +War. For the Empire, for every man, woman, and child in Canada, +the first thing, and by comparison the only thing, is War." + +That dread word rang out sharp, insistent, penetrating through the +quiet hum of voices rising from the groups about the fire. By +this time a very considerable number of men present had joined +themselves to the group about the speakers. + +"Well, Mr. Murray," said Mr. Rushbrooke, with a laugh, "it seems to +me that we cannot help it very well. If you wish to discourse upon +the war, you have your audience and you have my permission." + +"It is not my intention to discourse upon the war, Mr. Rushbrooke, +but with your permission I will just tell our friends here how my +mind has worked since learning this terrible news this morning. My +first impulse was to take the first train to Winnipeg, for I know +that it will be necessary for me to readjust my business to the new +conditions created by war. My second thought was that there were +others like me; that, in fact, the whole business public of +Winnipeg would be similarly affected. I felt the need of counsel +so that I should make no mistake that would imperil the interests +of others. I accepted Mrs. Rushbrooke's invitation to come to- +night in the hope of meeting with a number of the business men of +Winnipeg. The more I think of it the more terrible this thing +becomes. The ordinary conditions of business are gone. We shall +all need to readjust ourselves in every department of life. It +seems to me that we must stand together and meet this calamity as +best we can, wisely, fairly and fearlessly. The main point to be +considered is, should we not have a general meeting of the business +men of Winnipeg, and if so, when?" + +Mr. Murray's words were received in deep silence, and for a time no +one made reply. Then Mr. Rushbrooke made answer. + +"We all feel the importance of what Mr. Murray has said. Personally, +though, I am of the opinion that we should avoid all unnecessary +excitement and everything approaching panic. The war will doubtless +be a short one. Germany, after long preparation, has decided to +challenge Great Britain's power. Still, Britain is ready for her. +She has accepted the challenge; and though her army is not great, +she is yet not unprepared. Between the enemy and Britain's shores +there lies that mighty, invisible and invincible line of defence, +the British navy. With the French armies on the one side and the +Russian on the other, Germany can not last. In these days, with the +terrible engines of destruction that science has produced, wars will +be short and sharp. Germany will get her medicine and I hope it +will do her good." + +If Mr. Rushbrooke expected his somewhat flamboyant speech to awaken +enthusiastic approval, he must have been disappointed. His words +were received in grave silence. The fact of war was far too +unfamiliar and too overwhelming to make it easy for them to compass +it in their thoughts or to deal in any adequate way with its +possible issues. + +After some moments of silence the minister spoke. "I wish I could +agree with Mr. Rushbrooke," he said. "But I cannot. My study of +this question has impressed me with the overwhelming might of +Germany's military power. The war may be short and sharp, and that +is what Germany is counting upon. But if it be short and sharp, +the issue will be a German victory. The French army is not fully +prepared, I understand. Russia is an untrained and unwieldy mass. +There is, of course, the British navy, and with all my heart I +thank God that our fleet appears to be fit for service. But with +regard even to our navy we ought to remember that it is as yet +untried in modern warfare. I confess I cannot share Mr. Rushbrooke's +optimistic views as to the war. But whether he be right or I, one +thing stands out clear in my mind--that we should prepare ourselves +to do our duty. At whatever cost to our country or to ourselves, as +individuals, this duty is laid upon us. It is the first, the +immediate, the all-absorbing duty of every man, woman and child in +Canada to make war. God help us not to shrink." + +"How many in this company will be in Winnipeg this week, say to- +morrow?" inquired Mr. Murray. The hand of every business man in +the company went up. "Then suppose we call a meeting at my office +immediately upon the arrival of the train." And to this they +agreed. + +The Rushbrooke bonfire was an annual event and ever the most +notable of all its kind during the holiday season at the Lake. +This year the preparations for the festive gathering had exceeded +those of previous years, and Mrs. Rushbrooke's expectations of a +brilliantly successful function were proportionately high. But she +had not counted upon War. And so it came that ever as the applause +following song or story died down, the Spectre drew near, and upon +even the most light-hearted of the company a strange quiet would +fall, and they would find themselves staring into the fire +forgetful of all about them, thinking of what might be. They would +have broken up early but Mrs. Rushbrooke strenuously resisted any +such attempt. But the sense of the impending horror chilled the +gaiety of the evening and halted the rush of the fun till the +hostess gave up in despair and no longer opposed the departure of +her guests. + +"Mr. McPherson," she said, as that gentleman came to bid her good- +night, "I am quite cross with you. You made us all feel so blue +and serious that you quite spoiled our bonfire." + +"I wish it were only I that had spoiled it, Mrs. Rushbrooke," said +Mr. McPherson gravely. "But even your graceful hospitality to- +night, which has never been excelled even by yourself at the Lake +of the Woods, could not make us forget, and God forgive us if we do +forget." + +"Oh, Mr. McPherson," persisted Mrs. Rushbrooke, in a voice that +strove to be gaily reproachful, "we must not become pessimistic. +We must be cheerful even if we are at war." + +"Thank you for that word," said the minister solemnly. "It is a +true word and a right word, and it is a word we shall need to +remember more and more." + +"The man would drive me mad," said Mrs. Rushbrooke to Mr. Murray as +they watched the boats away. "I am more than thankful that he is +not my clergyman." + +"Yes, indeed," said her husband, who stood near her and shared her +feelings of disappointment. "It seems to me he takes things far +too seriously." + +"I wonder," said Dr. Brown, who stood with Mr. Murray preparatory +to taking his departure. "I wonder if we know just how serious +this thing is. I frankly confess, Mr. Rushbrooke, that my mind has +been in an appalling condition of chaos this afternoon; and every +hour the thing grows more terrible as I think of it. But as you +say, we must cheer up." + +"Surely we must," replied Rushbrooke impatiently. "I am convinced +this war will soon be over. In three months the British navy +together with the armies of their allies will wind this thing up." + +Through a wonder world of moonlit waterways and dark, mysterious +channels, around peninsulas and between islands, across an open +traverse and down a little bay, they took their course until Jim +had them safely landed at their own dock again. The magic beauty +of the white light upon wooded island and gleaming lake held them +in its spell for some minutes after they had landed till Mrs. +Murray came down from the bungalow to meet them. + +"Safe back again," she cried with an all too evident effort to be +cheery. "How lovely the night is, and how peaceful! James," she +said in a low voice, turning to her husband, "I wish you would go +to Isabel. I cannot get her to sleep. She says she must see you." + +"Why, what's up?" + +"I think she has got a little fright," said his wife. "She has +been sobbing pitifully." + +Mr. Murray found the little thing wide awake, her breath coming in +the deep sobs of exhaustion that follows tempestuous tears. +"What's the trouble, Sweetheart?" + +"Oh, Daddy," cried the child, flinging herself upon him and +bursting anew into an ecstasy of weeping, "she--said--you would-- +have--to--go. But--you won't--will you--Daddy?" + +"Why, Isabel, what do you mean, dear? Go where?" + +"To the--war--Daddy--they said--you would--have--to go--to the +war." + +"Who said?" + +"Mabel. But--you--won't, will you, Daddy?" + +"Mabel is a silly little goose," said Mr. Murray angrily. "No, +never fear, my Sweetheart, they won't expect me to go. I am far +too old, you know. Now, then, off you go to sleep. Do you know, +the moon is shining so bright outside that the little birds can't +sleep. I just heard a little bird as we were coming home cheeping +away just like, you. I believe she could not go to sleep." + +But the child could not forget that terrible word which had rooted +itself in her heart. "But you will not go; promise me, Daddy, you +will not go." + +"Why, Sweetheart, listen to me." + +"But promise me, Daddy, promise me." The little thing clung to him +in a paroxysm of grief and terror. + +"Listen, Isabel dear," said her father quietly. "You know I always +tell you the truth. Now listen to me. I promise you I won't go +until you send me yourself. Will that do?" + +"Yes, Daddy," she said, and drew a long breath. "Now I am so +tired, Daddy." Even as she spoke the little form relaxed in his +arms and in a moment she was fast asleep. + +As her father held her there the Spectre drew near again, but for +the moment his courage failed him and he dared not look. + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE TUCK OF DRUM + + +In the midst of her busy summer work in field and factory, on lake +and river, in mine and forest, on an August day of 1914, Canada was +stricken to the heart. Out of a blue summer sky a bolt as of death +smote her, dazed and dumb, gasping to God her horror and amaze. +Without word of warning, without thought of preparation, without +sense of desert, War, brutal, bloody, devilish War, was thrust into +her life by that power whose business in the world, whose confidence +and glory, was war. + +For some days, stunned by the unexpectedness of the blow, as much +as by its weight, Canada stood striving to regain her poise. Then +with little outcry, and with less complaint, she gathered herself +for her spring. A week, and then another, she stood breathless and +following with eyes astrain the figure of her ally, little Belgium, +gallant and heroic, which had moved out upon the world arena, the +first to offer battle to the armour-weighted, monstrous war lord of +Europe, on his way to sate his soul long thirsty for blood--men's +if he could, women's and little children's by preference, being +less costly. And as she stood and strained her eyes across the sea +by this and other sights moved to her soul's depths, she made +choice, not by compulsion but of her own free will, of war, and +having made her choice, she set herself to the business of getting +ready. From Pacific to Atlantic, from Vancouver to Halifax, +reverberated the beat of the drum calling for men willing to go out +and stand with the Empire's sons in their fight for life and faith +and freedom. Twenty-five thousand Canada asked for. In less than +a month a hundred thousand men were battering at the recruiting +offices demanding enlistment in the First Canadian Expeditionary +Force. From all parts of Canada this demand was heard, but nowhere +with louder insistence than in that part which lies beyond the +Great Lakes. In Winnipeg, the Gateway City of the West, every +regiment of militia at once volunteered in its full strength for +active service. Every class in the community, every department of +activity, gave an immediate response to the country's call. The +Board of Trade; the Canadian Club, that free forum of national +public opinion; the great courts of the various religious bodies; +the great fraternal societies and whatsoever organisation had a +voice, all pledged unqualified, unlimited, unhesitating support to +the Government in its resolve to make war. + +Early in the first week of war wild rumours flew of victory and +disaster, but the heart of Winnipeg as of the nation was chiefly +involved in the tragic and glorious struggle of little Belgium. +And when two weeks had gone and Belgium, bruised, crushed, but +unconquered, lay trampled in the bloody dust beneath the brutal +boots of the advancing German hordes, Canada with the rest of the +world had come to measure more adequately the nature and the +immensity of the work in hand. By her two weeks of glorious +conflict Belgium had uncovered to the world's astonished gaze two +portentous and significant facts: one, stark and horrible, that the +German military power knew neither ruth nor right; the other, +gloriously conspicuous, that Germany's much-vaunted men-of-war were +not invincible. + +On the first Sunday of the war the churches of Winnipeg were full +to the doors. Men, whose attendance was more or less desultory and +to a certain extent dependent upon the weather, were conscious of +an impulse to go to church. War had shaken the foundations of +their world, and men were thinking their deepest thoughts and +facing realities too often neglected or minimised. "I have been +thinking of God these days," said a man to Mr. Murray as they +walked home from business on Saturday, and there were many like +him in Canada in those first days of August. Without being able +definitely to define it there was in the hearts of men a sense of +need of some clear word of guiding, and in this crisis of Canadian +history the churches of Canada were not found wanting. The same +Spirit that in ancient days sent forth the Hebrew Isaiah with a +message of warning and counsel for the people of his day and which +in the great crises of nations has found utterance through the lips +of men of humble and believing hearts once more became a source of +guidance and of courage. + +The message varied with the character and training of the +messenger. In the church of which Reverend Andrew McPherson was +the minister the people were called to repentance and faith and +courage. + +"Listen to the Word of God," cried the minister, "spoken indeed to +men of another race and another time, but spoken as truly for the +men of this day and of this nation. 'Thus saith Jehovah, thy +Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am Jehovah thy God, which +teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou +shouldst go. Oh, that thou wouldst hearken to my commandments! +then would thy peace be as a river, and thy righteousness as the +waves of the sea. . . . There is no peace, saith Jehovah, to the +wicked.' Echoing down through the centuries, these great words +have verified themselves in every age and may in our day verify +themselves anew. Peace and righteousness are necessarily and +eternally bound together." He refused to discuss with them to-day +the causes of this calamity that had fallen upon them and upon the +world. But in the name of that same Almighty, Holy God, he +summoned the people to repentance and to righteousness, for without +righteousness there could be no peace. + +In the Cathedral there rang out over the assembled people the Call +to Sacrifice. "He that saveth his life shall lose it; and he that +loseth his life for My sake shall find it." The instinct to save +life was fundamental and universal. There were times when man must +resist that instinct and choose to surrender life. Such was the +present time. Dear as life was, there were things infinitely more +precious to mankind, and these things were in peril. For the +preserving of these things to the world our Empire had resolved +upon war, and throughout the Empire the call had sounded forth for +men willing to sacrifice their lives. To this call Canada would +make response, and only thus could Canada save her life. For +faith, for righteousness, for humanity, our Empire had accepted +war. And now, as ever, the pathway to immortality for men and for +nations was the pathway of sacrifice. + +In St. Mary's the priest, an Irishman of warm heart and of fiery +fighting spirit, summoned the faithful to faith and duty. To faith +in the God of their fathers who through his church had ever led his +people along the stern pathway of duty. The duty of the hour was +that of united and whole-hearted devotion to the cause of Freedom, +for which Great Britain had girded on her sword. The heart of the +Empire had been thrilled by the noble words of the leader of the +Irish Party in the House of Commons at Home, in which he pledged +the Irish people to the cause of the world's Freedom. In this +great struggle all loyal Sons of Canada of all races and creeds +would be found united in the defence of this sacred cause. + +The newspaper press published full reports of many of the sermons +preached. These sermons all struck the same note--repentance, +sacrifice, service. On Monday morning men walked with surer tread +because the light was falling clearer upon the path they must take. + +In the evening, when Jane and her friend, Ethel Murray, were on +their way downtown, they heard the beat of a drum. Was it fancy, +or was there in that beat something they had never heard in a drum +beat before, something more insistent, more compelling? They +hurried to Portage Avenue and there saw Winnipeg's famous historic +regiment, the Ninetieth Rifles, march with quick, brisk step to the +drum beat of their bugle band. + +"Look," cried Ethel, "there's Pat Scallons, and Ted Tuttle, and +Fred Sharp, too. I did not know that he belonged to the +Ninetieth." And as they passed, rank on rank, Ethel continued to +name the friends whom she recognised. + +But Jane stood uttering no word. The sight of these lads stepping +to the drum beat so proudly had sent a chill to her heart and tears +to her eyes. "Oh, Ethel," she cried, touching her friend's arm, +"isn't it terrible?" + +"Why, what's the matter?" cried Ethel, glancing at her. "Think of +what they are marching to!" + +"Oh, I can't bear it," said Jane. + +But Ethel was more engaged with the appearance of the battalion, +from the ranks of which she continued to pick out the faces of her +friends. "Look," she cried, "that surely is not Kellerman! It is! +It is! Look, Jane, there's that little Jew. Is it possible?" + +"Kellerman?" cried Jane. "No, it can't be he. There are no Jews +in the Ninetieth." + +"But it is," cried Ethel. "It is Kellerman. Let us go up to +Broadway and we shall meet them again." + +They turned up a cross street and were in time to secure a position +from which they could get a good look at the faces of the lads as +they passed. The battalion was marching at attention, and so rigid +was the discipline that not a face was turned toward the two young +ladies standing at the street corner. A glance of the eye and a +smile they received from their friends as they passed, but no man +turned his head. + +"There he is," said Jane. "It is Kellerman--in the second row, +see?" + +"Sure enough, it is Kellerman," said Ethel. "Well, what has come +to Winnipeg?" + +"War," said Jane solemnly. "And a good many more of the boys will +be going too, if they are any good." + +As Kellerman came stepping along he caught sight of the girls +standing there, but no sign of recognition did he make. He was too +anxious to be considered a soldier for that. Steadiness was one of +the primary principles knocked into the minds of recruits by the +Sergeant Major. + +The girls moved along after the column had passed at a sufficient +distance to escape the rabble. At the drill hall they found the +street blocked by a crowd of men, women and children. + +"What is all this, I wonder?" said Ethel. "Let us wait here +awhile. Perhaps we may come across some one we know." + +It was a strange crowd that gathered about the entrance to the +drill hall, not the usual assemblage of noisy, idly curious folk of +the lighter weight that are wont to follow a marching battalion or +gather to the sound of a band. It was composed of substantial and +solid people, serious in face and quiet in demeanour. They were +there on business, a business of the gravest character. As the +girls stood waiting they heard far down Broadway the throbbing of +drums. + +"Listen, Ethel," cried Jane. "The Pipes!" + +"The Pipes !" echoed Ethel in great excitement. "The Kilties!" + +Above the roll and rattle of the drums they caught those high, +heart-thrilling sounds which for nearly two hundred years have been +heard on every famous British battlefield, and which have ever led +Scotland's sons down the path of blood and death to imperishable +glory. + +A young Ninetieth officer, intent on seeing that the way was kept +clear for the soldiers, came striding out of the armoury. + +"Oh, there's Frank Smart," said Ethel. "I wish he would see us." + +As if in answer to her wish, Smart turned about and saw them in the +crowd. Immediately he came to them. + +"I didn't know you were a soldier, Frank," said Jane, greeting him +with a radiant smile. + +"I had almost forgotten it myself," said Frank. "But I was at +church yesterday and I went home and looked up my uniform and here +I am." + +"You are not going across, Frank, are you?" said Ethel. + +"If I can. There is very strong competition between both officers +and men. I have been paying little attention to soldiering for a +year or so; I have been much too busy. But now things are +different. If I can make it, I guess I will go." + +"Oh, Frank, YOU don't need to go, said Ethel. I mean there are +heaps of men all over Canada wanting to go. Why should YOU go?" + +"The question a fellow must ask himself is rather why should he +stay," replied the young officer. "Don't you think so, Jane?" + +"Yes," said Jane, drawing in her breath sharply but smiling at him. + +"Do you want to go in?" asked Frank. + +"Oh, do let's go in," said Ethel. + +But Jane shrank back. "I don't like to go through all those men," +she said, "though I should like greatly to see Kellerman," she +added. "I wonder if I could see him." + +"Kellerman?" + +"Yes, he's Jane's special, you know," said Ethel. "They ran close +together for the German prize, you remember. You don't know him? +A little Jew chap." + +"No, I don't know him," said Smart. "But you can certainly see him +if you wish. Just come with me; I will get you in. But first I +have got to see that this way is kept clear for the Highlanders." + +"Oh, let's wait to see them come up," said Ethel. + +"Well, then, stand here," said Frank. "There may be a crush, but +if you don't mind that we will follow right after them. Here they +come. Great lads, aren't they?" + +"And they have their big feather bonnets on, too," said Ethel. + +Down the street the Highlanders came in column of fours, the pipe +band leading. + +"Aren't they gorgeous?" said Smart with generous praise for a rival +battalion. "Chesty-looking devils, eh?" he added as they drew +near. "You would think that Pipe Major owned at least half of +Winnipeg." + +"And the big drummer the other half," added Ethel. "Look at his +sticks. He's got a classy twirl, hasn't he?" + +Gorgeous they were, their white spats flashing in time with their +step, their kilts swaying free over their tartan hose and naked +knees, their white tunics gleaming through the dusk of the evening, +and over all the tossing plumes of their great feather bonnets +nodding rhythmically with their swinging stride. + +"Mighty glad we have not to fight those boys," said Frank as the +column swung past into the armoury. + +The crowd which on other occasions would have broken into +enthusiastic cheers to-night stood in silence while the Highlanders +in all their gorgeous splendour went past. That grave silence was +characteristic of the Winnipeg crowds those first days of war. +Later they found voice. + +"Now we can go in. Come right along," said Smart. "Stand clear +there, boys. You can't go in unless you have an order." + +"We ar-r-e wantin' tae join," said a Scotch voice. + +"You are, eh? Come along then. Fall into line there." The men +immediately dropped into line. "Ah, you have been there before, I +see," said Smart. + +"Aye, ye'er-r-r right ther-r-re, sir-r-r," answered the voice. + +"You will be for the Kilties, boys?" said Frank. + +"Aye. What else?" asked the same man in surprise. + +"There is only one regiment for the Scotchman apparently," said +Frank, leading the way to the door. "Just hold these men here +until I see what's doing, will you?" he said to the sentry as he +passed in. "Now, then, young ladies, step to your right and await +me in that corner. I must see what's to be done with these +recruits. Then I shall find Kellerman for you." + +But he had no need to look for Kellerman, for before he returned +the little Jew had caught sight of the young ladies and had made +his way to them. + +"Why, how splendid you look, Mr. Kellerman," said Ethel. "I did +not know you were in the Ninetieth." + +"I wasn't until Friday." + +"Do you mean to say you joined up to go away?" inquired Ethel. + +"That's what," said Kellerman. + +"But you are--I mean--I do not see--" Ethel stopped in confusion. + +"What you mean, Miss Murray, is that you are surprised at a Jew +joining a military organisation," said Kellerman with a quiet +dignity quite new to him. Formerly his normal condition was one of +half defiant, half cringing nervousness in the presence of ladies. +To-night he carried himself with an easy self-possession, and it +was due to more than the uniform. + +"I am afraid you are right. It is horrid of me and I am awfully +sorry," said Ethel, impulsively offering him her hand. + +"Why did you join, Mr. Kellerman?" said Jane in her quiet voice. + +"Why, I hardly know if I can tell you. I will, though," he added +with a sudden impulse, "if you care to hear." + +"Oh, do tell us," said Ethel. But Kellerman looked at Jane. + +"If you care to tell, Mr. Kellerman," she said. + +The little Jew stood silent a few minutes, leaning upon his rifle +and looking down upon the ground. Then in a low, soft voice he +began: "I was born in Poland--German Poland. The first thing I +remember is seeing my mother kneeling, weeping and wringing her +hands beside my father's dead body outside the door of our little +house in our village. He was a student, a scholar, and a patriot." +Kellerman's voice took on a deeper and firmer tone. "He stood for +the Polish language in the schools. There was a riot in our +village. A German officer struck my father down and killed him on +the ground. My mother wiped the blood off his white face--I can +see that white face now--with her apron. She kept that apron; she +has it yet. We got somehow to London soon after that. The English +people were good to us. The German people are tyrants. They have +no use for free peoples." The little Jew's words snapped through +his teeth. "When war came a week ago I could not sleep for two +nights. On Friday I joined the Ninetieth. That night I slept ten +hours." As he finished his story the lad stood staring straight +before him into the moving crowd. He had forgotten the girls who +with horror-stricken faces had been listening to him. He was still +seeing that white face smeared with blood. + +"And your mother?" said Jane gently as she laid her hand upon his +arm. + +The boy started. "My mother? Oh, my mother, she went with me to +the recruiting office and saw me take the oath. She is satisfied +now." + +For some moments the girls stood silent, unable to find their +voices. Then Jane said, her eyes glowing with a deep inner light, +"Mr. Kellerman, I am proud of you." + +"Thank you, Miss Brown; it does me good to hear you say that. But +you have always been good to me." + +"And I want you to come and see me before you go," said Jane as she +gave him her hand. "Now will you take us out through the crowd? +We must get along." + +"Certainly, Miss Brown. Just come with me." With a fine, +soldierly tread the young Jew led them through the crowd and put +them on their way. He did not shake hands with them as he said +good-bye, but gave them instead a military salute, of which he was +apparently distinctly proud. + +"Tell me, Jane," said Ethel, as they set off down the street, "am I +awake? Is that little Kellerman, the greasy little Jew whom we +used to think such a beast?" + +"Isn't he splendid?" said Jane. "Poor little Kellerman! You know, +Ethel, he had not one girl friend in college? I am sorry now we +were not better to him." + +The streets were full of people walking hurriedly or gathered here +and there in groups, all with grave, solemn faces. In front of The +Times office a huge concourse stood before the bulletin boards +reading the latest despatches. These were ominous enough: "The +Germans Still Battering Liege Forts--Kaiser's Army Nearing +Brussels--Four Millions of Men Marching on France--Russia Hastening +Her Mobilisation--Kitchener Calls for One Hundred Thousand Men-- +Canada Will Send Expeditionary Force of Twenty-five Thousand Men-- +Camp at Valcartier Nearly Ready--Parliament Assembles Thursday." +Men read the bulletins and talked quietly to each other. They had +not yet reached clearness in their thinking as to how this dread +thing had fallen upon their country so far from the storm centre, +so remote in all vital relations. There was no cheering--the +cheering days came later--no ebullient emotion, but the tightening +of lip and jaw in their stern, set faces was a sufficient index of +the tensity of feeling. Canadians were thinking things out, +thinking keenly and swiftly, for in the atmosphere and actuality of +war mental processes are carried on at high pressure. + +As the girls stood at the corner of Portage Avenue and Main waiting +for a crossing, an auto held up in the traffic drew close to their +side. + +"Hello, Ethel! Won't you get in?" said a voice at their ear. + +"Hello, Lloyd! Hello, Helen!" cried Ethel. "We will, most +certainly. Are you joying, or what?" + +"Both," said Lloyd Rushbrooke, who was at the wheel. "Helen wanted +to see the soldiers. She is interested in the Ninetieth but he +wasn't there and I am just taking her about." + +"We saw the Ninetieth and the Kilties too," said Ethel. "Oh, they +are fine! Oh, Helen, whom do you think we saw in the Ninetieth? +You will never guess--Heinrich Kellerman." + +"Good Lord! That greasy little Sheeney?" exclaimed Rushbrooke. + +"Look out, Lloyd. He's Jane's friend," said Ethel. + +Lloyd laughed uproariously at the joke. "And you say the little +Yid was in the Ninetieth? Well, what is the Ninetieth coming to?" + +"Lloyd, you mustn't say a word against Mr. Kellerman," said Jane. +"I think he is a real man." + +"Oh, come, Jane. That little Hebrew Shyster? Why, he does not +wash more than once a year!" + +"I don't care if he never washes at all. I won't have you speak of +him that way," said Jane. "I mean it. He is a friend of mine." + +"And of mine, too," said Ethel, "since to-night. Why, he gave me +thrills up in the armoury as he told us why he joined up." + +"One ten per, eh?" said Lloyd. + +"Shall I tell him?" said Ethel. + +"No, you will not," said Jane decidedly. "Lloyd would not +understand." + +"Oh, I say, Jane, don't spike a fellow like that. I am just +joking." + +"I won't have you joke in that way about Mr. Kellerman, at least, +not to me." Few of her college mates had ever seen Jane angry. +They all considered her the personification of even-tempered +serenity. + +"If you take it that way, of course I apologise," said Lloyd. + +"Now listen to me, Lloyd," said Jane. "I am going to tell you why +he joined up." And in tones thrilling with the intensity of her +emotion and finally breaking, she recounted Kellerman's story. +"And that is why he is going to the war, and I am proud of him," +she added. + +"Splendid!" cried Helen Brookes. "You are in the Ninetieth, too, +Lloyd, aren't you?" + +"Yes," said Lloyd. "At least, I was. I have not gone much lately. +I have not had time for the military stuff, so I canned it." + +"And we saw Pat Scallons and Ted Tuttle in the Ninetieth, too, and +Ramsay Dunn--oh, he did look fine in his uniform--and Frank Smart-- +he is going if he can," said Ethel. "I wonder what his mother will +do. He is the only son, you know." + +"Well, if you ask me, I think that is rot. It is not right for +Smart. There are lots of fellows who can go," said Lloyd in quite +an angry tone. "Why, they say they have nearly got the twenty-five +thousand already." + +"My, I would like to be in the first twenty-five thousand if I were +a man," said Ethel. "There is something fine in that. Wouldn't +you, Jane?" + +"I am not a man," said Jane shortly. + +"Why the first twenty-five thousand?" said Lloyd. "Oh, that is +just sentimental rot. If a man was really needed, he would go; but +if not, why should he? There's no use getting rattled over this +thing. Besides, somebody's got to keep things going here. I think +that is a fine British motto that they have adopted in England, +'Business as usual.'" + +"'Business as usual!'" exclaimed Jane in a tone of unutterable +contempt. "I think I must be going home, Lloyd," she added. "Can +you take me?" + +"What's the rush, Jane? It is early yet. Let's take a turn out to +the Park." + +But Jane insisted on going home. Never before in all her life had +she found herself in a mood in which she could with difficulty +control her speech. She could not understand how it was that Lloyd +Rushbrooke, whom she had always greatly liked, should have become +at once distasteful to her. She could hardly bear the look upon +his handsome face. His clever, quick-witted fun, which she had +formerly enjoyed, now grated horribly. Of all the college boys in +her particular set, none was more popular, none better liked, than +Lloyd Rushbrooke. Now she was mainly conscious of a desire to +escape from his company. This feeling distressed her. She wanted +to be alone that she might think it out. That was Jane's way. She +always knew her own mind, could always account for her emotions, +because she was intellectually honest and had sufficient fortitude +to look facts in the face. At the door she did not ask even her +friend, Ethel, to come in with her. Nor did she make excuse for +omitting this courtesy. That, too, was Jane's way. She was honest +with her friends as with herself. She employed none of the little +fibbing subterfuges which polite manners approve and which are +employed to escape awkward situations, but which, of course, +deceive no one. She was simple, sincere, direct in her mental and +moral processes, and possessed a courage of the finest quality. +Under ordinary circumstances she would have cleared up her thinking +and worked her soul through the mist and stress of the rough +weather by talking it over with her father or by writing a letter +to Larry. But during the days of the past terrible week she had +discovered that her father, too, was tempest-tossed to an even +greater degree than she was herself; and somehow she had no heart +to write to Larry. Indeed, she knew not what to say. Her whole +world was in confusion. + +And in Winnipeg there were many like her. In every home, while +faces carried bold fronts, there was heart searching of the +ultimate depths and there was purging of souls. In every office, +in every shop, men went about their work resolute to keep minds +sane, faces calm, and voices steady, but haunted by a secret +something which they refused to call fear--which was not fear--but +which as yet they were unwilling to acknowledge and which they were +unable to name. With every bulletin from across the sea the +uncertainty deepened. Every hour they waited for news of a great +victory for the fleet. The second day of the war a rumour of such +a victory had come across the wires and had raised hopes for a day +which next day were dashed to despair. One ray of light, thin but +marvellously bright, came from Belgium. For these six breathless +days that gallant little people had barred the way against the +onrushing multitudes of Germany's military hosts. The story of the +defence of Liege was to the Allies like a big drink of wine to a +fainting man. But Belgium could not last. And what of France? +What France would do no man could say. It was exceedingly doubtful +whether there was in the French soul that enduring quality, whether +in the army or in the nation, that would be steadfast in the face +of disaster. The British navy was fit, thank God! But as to the +army, months must elapse before a British army of any size could be +on the fighting line. + +Another agonising week passed and still there was no sure word of +hope from the Front. In Canada one strong, heartening note had +been sounded. The Canadian Parliament had met and with splendid +unhesitating unanimity had approved all the steps the Government +had taken, had voted large sums for the prosecution of the war, and +had pledged Canada to the Empire to the limit of her power. That +fearless challenge flung out into the cloud wrapped field of war +was like a clear bugle call in the night. It rallied and steadied +the young nation, touched her pride, and breathed serene resolve +into the Canadian heart. Canadians of all classes drew a long, +deep breath of relief as they heard of the action of their +Parliament. Doubts, uncertainties vanished like morning mists +blown by the prairie breeze. They knew not as yet the magnitude of +the task that lay before them, but they knew that whatever it might +be, they would not go back from it. + +At the end of the second week the last fort in Liege had fallen; +Brussels, too, was gone; Antwerp threatened. Belgium was lost. +From Belgian villages and towns were beginning to come those tales +of unbelievable atrocities that were to shock the world into +horrified amazement. These tales read in the Canadian papers +clutched men's throats and gripped men's hearts as with cruel +fingers of steel. Canadians were beginning to see red. The blood +of Belgium's murdered victims was indeed to prove throughout Canada +and throughout the world the seed of mighty armies. + +At the end of the second week Jane could refrain no longer. She +wrote to Larry. + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +A NEUTRAL NATION + + +The first days of the war were for Larry days of dazed bewilderment +and of ever-deepening misery. The thing which he had believed +impossible had come. That great people upon whose generous ideals +and liberal Christian culture he had grounded a sure hope of +permanent peace had flung to the winds all the wisdom, and all +justice, and all the humanity which the centuries had garnered for +them, and, following the primal instincts of the brute, had hurled +forth upon the world ruthless war. Even the great political party +of the Social Democrats upon which he had relied to make war +impossible had without protest or division proclaimed enthusiastic +allegiance to the war programme of the Kaiser. The universities +and the churches, with their preachers and professors, had led the +people in mad acclaim of war. His whole thinking on the subject +had been proved wrong. Passionately he had hoped against hope that +Britain would not allow herself to enter the war, but apparently +her struggle for peace had been in vain. His first feeling was one +of bitter disappointment and of indignation with the great leaders +of the British people who had allowed themselves to become involved +in a Mid-European quarrel. Sir Edward Grey's calm, moderate--sub- +moderate, indeed--exposition of the causes which had forced Britain +into war did much to cool his indignation, and Bethmann-Hollweg's +cynical explanation of the violation of Belgium's neutrality went +far to justify Britain's action consequent upon that outraging of +treaty faith. The deliberate initiation of the policy of +"frightfulness" which had heaped such unspeakable horrors upon the +Belgian people tore the veil from the face of German militarism and +revealed in its sheer brutality the ruthlessness and lawlessness of +that monstrous system. + +From the day of Austria's ultimatum to Servia Larry began to read +everything he could find dealing with modern European history, and +especially German history. Day and night he studied with feverish +intensity the diplomacy and policies of the great powers of Europe +till at length he came to a somewhat clear understanding of the +modern theory and world policy of the German state which had made +war inevitable. But, though his study made it possible for him to +relieve his country from the charge of guilt in this war, his +anxiety and his misery remained. For one thing, he was oppressed +with an overwhelming loneliness. He began to feel that he was +dwelling among an alien people. He had made many and close friends +during the months of his stay in Chicago. But while they were +quick to offer him sympathy in his anxiety and misery, he could not +fail to observe on every hand the obvious and necessary indications +of the neutral spirit. He could expect nothing else. In this +conflict America had decided that she was not immediately concerned +and she was resolute to remain unconcerned. A leading representative +of the Chicago press urged Americans to be careful not to "rock the +boat." The President of the United States counselled his people "to +keep calm" and to observe the strictest neutrality. Larry +discovered, too, an unconfessed, almost unconscious desire in the +heart of many an American, a relic of Revolutionary days, to see +England not destroyed or even seriously disabled, but, say, "well +trimmed." It would do her good. There was, beside, a large element +in the city distinctly and definitely pro-German and intensely +hostile to Great Britain. On his way to the office one afternoon +Larry found himself held up by a long procession of young German +reservists singing with the utmost vigour and with an unmistakable +note of triumph the German national air, "Die Wacht Am Rhein," and +that newer song which embodied German faith and German ambition, +"Deutschland Uber Alles." When he arrived at the office that +afternoon he was surprised to find that he was unable to go on with +his work for the trembling of his hands. In the office he was +utterly alone, for, however his friends there might take pains to +show extra kindness, he was conscious of complete isolation from +their life. Unconcerned, indifferent, coolly critical of the great +conflict in which his people were pouring out blood like water, they +were like spectators at a football match on the side lines willing +to cheer good play on either side and ready to acclaim the winner. + +The Wakehams, though extremely careful to avoid a word or act that +might give him pain, naturally shared the general feeling of their +people. For them the war was only another of those constantly +recurring European scraps which were the inevitable result of the +forms of government which these nations insisted upon retaining. +If peoples were determined to have kings and emperors, what other +could they expect but wars. France, of course, was quite another +thing. The sympathy of America with France was deep, warm and +sincere. America could not forget the gallant Lafayette. Besides, +France was the one European republic. As for Britain, the people +of Chicago were content to maintain a profoundly neutral calm, and +to a certain extent the Wakehams shared this feeling. + +In Larry's immediate circle, however, there were two exceptions. +One, within the Wakeham family, was Elfie. Quick to note the signs +of wretchedness in him and quick to feel the attitude of neutrality +assumed by her family toward the war, the child, without stint and +without thought, gave him a love and a sympathy so warm, so +passionate, that it was to his heart like balm to an open wound. +There was no neutrality about Elfie. She was openly, furiously +pro-Ally. The rights and wrongs of the great world conflict were +at first nothing to her. With Canada and the Canadians she was +madly in love, they were Larry's people and for Larry she would +have gladly given her life. Another exception to the general state +of feeling was that of Hugo Raeder. From the first Raeder was an +intense and confessed advocate of the cause of the Allies. From +personal observation he knew Germany well, and from wide reading he +had come to understand and appreciate the significance of her world +policy. He recognised in German autocracy and in German militarism +and in German ambition a menace to the liberties of Europe. He +represented a large and intellectually influential class of men in +the city and throughout the country generally. Graduates of the +great universities, men high in the leadership of the financial +world, the editors of the great newspapers almost to a man, +magazine editors and magazine writers untinged by racial or +personal affinity with Germany, these were represented by Raeder, +and were strongly and enthusiastically in sympathy with the aims of +the Allies, and as the war advanced became increasingly eager to +have their country assume a definite stand on the side of those +nations whom they believed to be fighting for the liberties and +rights of humanity. But though these exceptions were a source of +unspeakable comfort to him, Larry carried day by day a growing +sense of isolation and an increasing burden of anxiety. + +Then, too, there was the question of his duty. He had no clear +conviction as to what his duty was. With all his hatred and +loathing of war, he had come to the conviction that should he see +it to be the right thing for him, he would take his place in the +fighting line. There appeared, however, to be no great need for +men in Canada just now. In response to the call for twenty-five +thousand men for the First Expeditionary Force, nearly one hundred +thousand had offered. And yet his country was at war; his friends +whether enlisted for the fighting line or in the civilian ranks +were under the burden. Should he not return to Canada and find +some way to help in the great cause? But again, on the other hand, +his work here was important, he had been treated with great +consideration and kindness, he had made a place for himself where +he seemed to be needed. The lack of clear vision of his duty added +greatly to his distress. + +A wire had informed him in the first days of the war that his +brother-in-law had gone to rejoin his old regiment in the +Coldstream Guards. A letter from Nora did not help much. "Jack +has gone," she wrote. "We all felt he could do nothing else. Even +poor, dear Mother agreed that nothing else was possible. Kathleen +amazes us all. The very day after the awful news came, without a +word from Jack, I found her getting his things together. 'Are you +going to let him go?' I asked her, perfectly amazed at her +coolness. 'Let me go?' said Jack, who was muddling about her. +'Let me go? She would not let me stay. Would you, Kathleen?' +'No,' she said, 'I do not think I would like you to stay, Jack.' +And this is our pacifist, Kathleen, mind you! How she came to see +through this thing so rapidly I don't know. But sooner than any of +us Kathleen saw what the war was about and that we must get in. +She goes about her work quietly, cheerfully. She has no illusions, +and there is no bravado. Oh, Larry dear, I do not believe I could +do it. When she smiles at the dear wee man in her arms I have to +run away or I should howl. I must tell you about Duckworth. You +know what a dear he is. We have seen a good deal of him this year. +He has quite captivated Mother. Well, he had a letter from his +father saying, 'I am just about rejoining my regiment; your brother +has enlisted; your sister has gone to the Red Cross. We have given +our house to the Government for a hospital. Come home and join +up.' What a man he must be! The dear boy came to see us and, +Larry, he wanted me. Oh, I wish I could have said yes, but somehow +I couldn't. Dear boy, I could only kiss him and weep over him till +he forgot himself in trying to comfort me. He went with the +Calgary boys. Hec Ross is off, too; and Angus Fraser is up and +down the country with kilt and pipes driving Scotchmen mad to be at +the war. He's going, too, although what his old mother will do +without him I do not know. But she will hear of nothing less. +Only four weeks of this war and it seems like a year. Switzer has +gone, you know, the wicked devil. If it had not been for Sam, who +had been working around the mine, the whole thing would have been +blown up with dynamite. Sam discovered the thing in time. The +Germans have all quit work. Thank God for that. So the mine is +not doing much. Mother is worried about the war, I can see, +thinking things through." + +A letter from Jane helped him some. It was very unlike Jane and +evidently written under the stress of strong emotion. She gave him +full notes of the Reverend Andrew McPherson's sermons, which she +appeared to set great store by. The rapid progress of recruiting +filled her with delight. It grieved her to think that her friends +were going to the war, but that grief was as nothing compared to +the grief and indignation against those who seemed to treat the war +lightly. She gave a page of enthusiastic appreciation to +Kellerman. Another page she devoted to an unsuccessful attempt to +repress her furious contempt for Lloyd Rushbrooke, who talked +largely and coolly about the need of keeping sane. The ranks of +the first contingent were all filled up. She knew there were two +million Canadians in the United States who if they were needed +would flock back home. They were not needed yet, and so it would +be very foolish for them to leave good positions in the meantime. + +Larry read the last sentence with a smile. "Dear old Jane," he +said to himself. "She wants to help me out; and, by George, she +does." Somehow Jane's letter brought healing to his lacerated +nerves and heart, and steadied him to bear the disastrous reports +of the steady drive of the enemy towards Paris that were released +by the censor during the last days of that dreadful August. With +each day of that appalling retreat Larry's agony deepened. The +reports were vague, but one thing was clear--the drive was going +relentlessly forward, and the French and the British armies alike +were powerless to stay the overwhelming torrent. The check at the +Marne lifted the gloom a bit. But the reports of that great fight +were meagre and as yet no one had been able to estimate the full +significance of that mighty victory for the Allied armies, nor the +part played therein by the gallant and glorious little army that +constituted the British Expeditionary Force. + +Blacker days came in late September, when the news arrived of the +disaster to the Aboukir and her sister ships, and a month later of +the destruction of the Good Hope and the Monmouth in the South +Pacific sea fight. On that dreadful morning on his way downtown he +purchased a paper. After the first glance he crushed the paper +together till he reached his office, where he sat with the paper +spread out before him on his desk, staring at the headlines, unable +to see, unable to think, able only to suffer. In the midst of his +misery Professor Schaefer passed through the office on his way to +consult with Mr. Wakeham and threw him a smile of cheery triumph. +It was a way Schaefer had these days. The very sight of him was +enough to stir Larry to a kind of frenzied madness. This morning +the German's smile was the filling up of his cup of misery. He +stuffed the paper into his desk, took up his pen and began to make +figures on his pad, gnawing his lips the while. + +An hour later Hugo Raeder came in with a message for him. Raeder +after one look at his face took Larry away with him, sick with rage +and fear, in his car, and for an hour and a half drove through the +Park at a rate that defied the traffic regulations, talking the +while in quiet, hopeful tones of the prospects of the Allies, of +the marvellous recovery of the French and British armies on the +Marne and of the splendid Russian victories. He touched lightly +upon the recent naval disaster, which was entirely due to the +longer range of the enemy's guns and to a few extraordinarily lucky +shots. The clear, crisp air, the swift motion, the bright sun, +above all the deep, kindly sympathy of this strong, clear-thinking +man beside him, brought back to Larry his courage if not his cheer. +As they were nearly back to the office again, he ventured his first +observation, for throughout the drive he had confined his speech to +monosyllabic answers to Raeder's stream of talk. + +"In spite of it all, I believe the navy is all right," he said, +with savage emphasis. + +"My dear chap," exclaimed Raeder, "did you ever doubt it? Did you +read the account of the fight?" + +"No," said Larry, "only the headlines." + +"Then you did not see that the British ships were distinctly +outclassed in guns both as to range and as to weight. Nothing can +prevent disaster in such a case. It was a bit of British stupidity +to send those old cruisers on such an expedition. The British navy +is all right. If not, then God help America." + +"Say, old chap," said Larry as they stepped out of the car, "you +have done me a mighty good turn this morning, and I will not forget +it." + +"Oh, that is all right," said Raeder. "We have got to stand +together in this thing, you know." + +"Stand together?" said Larry. + +"Yes, stand together. Don't you forget it. We are with you in +this. Deep down in the heart America is utterly sound; she knows +that the cause of the Allies is the cause of justice and humanity. +America has no use for either brutal tyranny or slimy treachery. +The real American heart is with you now, and her fighting army will +yet be at your side." + +These sentiments were so unusual in his environment that Larry +gazed at him in amazement. + +"That is God's truth," said Raeder. "Take a vote of the college +men to-day, of the big business men, of the big newspaper men-- +these control the thinking and the acting of America--and you will +find, ninety per cent. of these pro-Ally. Just be patient and give +the rest of us time. Americans will not stand for the bully," +added Raeder, putting his hand on Larry's shoulder. "You hear me, +my boy. Now I am going in to see the boss. He thinks the same +way, too, but he does not say much out loud." + +New hope and courage came into Larry's heart as he listened to the +pronouncement of this clear-headed, virile young American. Oh, if +America would only say out loud what Raeder had been saying, how it +would tone up the spirit of the Allies! A moral vindication of +their cause from America would be worth many an army corps. + +The morning brought him another and unexpected breeze of cheer in +the person of Dean Wakeham straight from Alberta and the Lakeside +Farm. A little before lunch he walked in upon Larry, who was +driving himself to his work that he might forget. It was a +veritable breath from home for Larry, for Dean was one who carried +not only news but atmosphere as well. He was a great, warm-hearted +boy, packed with human energies of body, heart and soul. + +"Wait till I say good-morning to father," he said after he had +shaken hands warmly with Larry. "I will be back then in a minute +or two." + +But in a few minutes Mr. Wakeham appeared and called Larry to him. +"Come in, boy, and hear the news," he said. + +Larry went in and found Dean in the full tide of a torrential +outpouring of passionate and enthusiastic, at times incoherent, +tales of the Canadians, of their spirit, of their sacrifice and +devotion in their hour of tragedy. + +"Go on, Dean," said Raeder, who was listening with face and eyes +aglow. + +"Go on? I cannot stop. Never have I come up against anything like +what is going on over there in Canada. Not in one spot, either, +but everywhere; not in one home, but in every home; not in one +class, but in every class. In Calgary during the recruiting I saw +a mob of men in from the ranches, from the C. P. R. shops, from the +mines, from the offices, fighting mad to get their names down. My +God! I had to go away or I would have had mine in too. The women, +too, are all the same. No man is getting under his wife's skirts. +You know old Mrs. Ross, Larry, an old Scotch woman up there with +four sons. Well, her eldest son could not wait for the Canadian +contingent, but went off with Jack Romayne and joined the Black +Watch. He was in that Le Cateau fight. Oh, why don't these stupid +British tell the people something about that great fighting retreat +from Mons to the Marne? Well, at Le Cateau poor Hec Ross in a +glorious charge got his. His Colonel wrote the old lady about it. +I never saw such a letter; there never was one like it. I motored +Mrs. Gwynne, your mother, Larry, over to see her. Say, men, to see +those two women and to hear them! There were no tears, but a kind +of exaltation. Your mother, Larry, is as bad, as good, I mean, as +any of them now. I heard that old Scotch woman say to your mother +in that Scotch voice of hers, 'Misthress Gwynne, I dinna grudge my +boy. I wouldna hae him back.' Her youngest son is off with the +Canadians. As she said good-bye to us I heard her say to your +mother, 'I hae gi'en twa sons, Misthress Gwynne, an' if they're +wanted, there's twa mair.' My God! I found myself blubbering like +a child. It sounds all mad and furious, but believe me, there is +not much noise, no hurrahing. They know they are up against a +deadly serious business, and that is getting clearer every minute. +Did you see that the Government had offered one hundred and fifty +thousand men now, and more if wanted? And all classes are the +same. That little Welch preacher at Wolf Willow--Rhye, his name +is, isn't it? By George, you should hear him flaming in the +pulpit. He's the limit. There won't be a man in that parish will +dare hold back. He will just have to go to war or quit the church. +And it is the same all over. The churches are a mighty force in +Canada, you know, even a political force. I have been going to +church every Sunday, Father, this last year. Believe me, God is +some real Person to those people, and I want to tell you He has +become real to me too." As Dean said this he glanced half +defiantly at his father as if expecting a challenge. + +But his father only cleared his throat and said, "All right, my +boy. We won't do anything but gladly agree with you there. And +God may come to be more real to us all before we are through with +this thing. Go on." + +"Let's see, what was I talking about?" + +"Churches." + +"Yes, in Calgary, on my way down this time, the Archdeacon preached +a sermon that simply sent thrills down my spine. In Winnipeg I +went with the Murrays to church and heard a clergyman, McPherson, +preach. The soldiers were there. Great Caesar! No wonder +Winnipeg is sending out thousands of her best men. He was like an +ancient Hebrew prophet, Peter the Hermit and Billy Sunday all +rolled into one. Yet there was no noisy drum pounding and no silly +flag flapping. Say, let me tell you something. I said there was a +battalion of soldiers in church that day. The congregation were +going to take Holy Communion. You know the Scotch way. They all +sit in their pews and you know they are fearfully strict about +their Communion, have rules and regulations and so on about it. +Well, that old boy McPherson just leaned over his pulpit and told +the boys what the thing stood for, that it was just like swearing +in, and he told them that he would just throw the rules aside and +man to man would ask them to join up with God. Say, that old chap +got my goat. The boys just naturally stayed to Communion and I +stayed too. I was not fit, I know, but I do not think it did me +any harm." At this point the boy's voice broke up and there was +silence for some moments in the office. Larry had his face covered +with his hands to hide the tears that were streaming down. Dean's +father was openly wiping his eyes, Raeder looking stern and +straight in front of him. + +"Father," said Dean suddenly, "I want to give you warning right +now. If it ever comes that Canada is in need of men, I am not +going to hold back. I could not do it and stay in the country. I +am an American, heart, body and soul, but I would count myself +meaner than a polecat if I declined to line up with that bunch of +Canadians." + +"Think well, my boy," said his father. "Think well. I have only +one son, but I will never stand between you and your duty or your +honour. Now we go to lunch. Where shall we go?" + +"With me, at the University Club, all of you," said Raeder. + +"No, with me," said Mr. Wakeham. "I will put up the fatted calf, +for this my son is home again. Eh, my boy?" + +During the lunch hour try as they would they could not get away +from the war. Dean was so completely obsessed with the subject +that he could not divert his mind to anything else for any length +of time. + +"I cannot help it," he said at length. "All my switches run the +same way." + +They had almost finished when Professor Schaefer came into the +dining hall, spied them and hastened over to them. + +"Here's this German beast," said Dean. + +"Steady, Dean. We do business with him," said his father. + +"All right, Father," replied the boy. + +The Professor drew in a chair and sat down. He only wanted a light +lunch and if they would allow him he would break in just where they +were. He was full of excitement over the German successes on sea +and on land. + +"On land?" said Raeder. "Well, I should not radiate too freely +about their land successes. What about the Marne?" + +"The Marne!" said Schaefer in hot contempt. "The Marne--strategy-- +strategy, my dear sir. But wait. Wait a few days. If we could +only get that boasted British navy to venture out from their holes, +then the war would be over. Mark what happens in the Pacific. +Scientific gunnery, three salvos, two hundred minutes from the +first gun. It is all over. Two British ships sunk to the bottom. +That is the German way. They would force war upon Germany. Now +they have it. In spite of all the Kaiser's peace efforts, they +drove Germany into the war." + +"The Kaiser!" exclaimed Larry, unable any longer to contain his +fury. "The Kaiser's peace efforts! The only efforts that the +Kaiser has made for the last few years are efforts to bully Europe +into submission to his will. The great peace-maker of Europe of +this and of the last century was not the Kaiser, but King Edward +VII. All the world knows that." + +"King Edward VII!" sputtered Schaefer in a fury of contempt. "King +Edward VII a peacemaker! A ----!" calling him a vile name. "And +his son is like him!" + +The foul word was like a flame to powder with Larry. His hand +closed upon his glass of water. "You are a liar," he said, leaning +over and thrusting his face close up to the German. "You are a +slanderous liar." He flung his glass of water full into Schaefer's +face, sprang quickly to his feet, and as the German rose, swung +with his open hand and struck hard upon the German's face, first on +one cheek and then on the other. + +With a roar Schaefer flung himself at him, but Larry in a cold fury +was waiting for him. With a stiff, full-armed blow, which carried +the whole weight of his body, he caught him on the chin. The +professor was lifted clear over his chair. Crashing back upon the +floor, he lay there still. + +"Good boy, Larry," shouted Dean. "Great God! You did something +that time." + +Silent, white, cold, rigid, Larry stood waiting. More than any of +them he was amazed at what he had done. Some friends of the +Professor rushed toward them. + +"Stand clear, gentlemen," said Raeder. "We are perfectly able to +handle this. This man offered my friend a deadly insult. My +friend simply anticipated what I myself would gladly have done. +Let me say this to you, gentlemen, for some time he and those of +his kind have made themselves offensive. Every man is entitled to +his opinion, but I have made up my mind that if any German insults +my friends the Allies in my presence, I shall treat him as this man +has been treated." + +There was no more of it. Schaefer's friends after reviving him +led him off. As they passed out of the dining hall Larry and his +friends were held up by a score or more of men who crowded around +him with warm thanks and congratulations. The affair was kept out +of the press, but the news of it spread to the limits of clubland. +The following day Raeder thought it best that they should lunch +again together at the University Club. The great dining-room was +full. As Raeder and his company entered there was first a silence, +then a quick hum of voices, and finally applause, which grew in +volume till it broke into a ringing cheer. There was no longer any +doubt as to where the sympathy of the men of the University Club, +at least, lay in this world conflict. + +Two days later a telegram was placed upon Larry's desk. Opening +it, he read, "Word just received Jack Romayne killed in action." +Larry carried the telegram quietly into the inner office and laid +it upon his chief's desk. + +"I can stand this no longer, sir," he said in a quiet voice. "I +wish you to release me. I must return to Canada. I am going to +the war." + +"Very well, my boy," said Mr. Wakeham. "I know you have thought it +over. I feel you could not do otherwise. I, too, have been +thinking, and I wish to say that your place will await you here and +your salary will go on so long as you are at the war. No! not a +word! There is not much we Americans can do as yet, but I shall +count it a privilege as an American sympathising with the Allies in +their great cause to do this much at least. And you need not worry +about that coal mine. Dean has been telling me about it. We will +see it through." + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE MAJOR AND THE MAJOR'S WIFE + + +When Larry went to take farewell of the Wakehams he found Rowena +with Hugo Raeder in the drawing-room. + +"You are glad to leave us," said Rowena, in a tone of reproach. + +"No," said Larry, "sorry. You have been too good to me." + +"You are glad to go to war?" + +"No; I hate the war. I am not a soldier, but, thank God, I see my +duty, and I am going to have a go at it." + +"Right you are," said Hugo. "What else could any man do when his +country is at war?" + +"But I hate to go," said Larry, "and I hate this business of saying +good-bye. You have all been so good to me." + +"It was easy," said Rowena. "Do you know I was on the way to fall +in love with you? Hugo here and Jane saved me. Oh, I mean it," +she added, flushing as she laughed. + +"Jane!" exclaimed Larry. + +"Yes, Jane. Oh, you men are so stupid," said Rowena. "And Hugo +helped me out, too," she added, with a shy glance at him. + +Larry looked from one to the other, then rushed to Hugo. "Oh, you +lucky beggar! You two lucky beggars! Oh, joy, glory, triumph! +Could anything be finer in the wide world?" cried Larry, giving a +hand to each. + +"And, Larry, don't be a fool," said Rowena. "Try to understand +your dear, foolish heart, and don't break your own or any one's +else." + +Larry gazed at her in astonishment and then at Hugo, who nodded +wisely at him. + +"She is quite right, Larry. I want to see that young lady Jane. +She must be quite unique. I owe her something." + +"Good-bye, then," said Larry. "I have already seen your mother. +Good-bye, you dear things. God give you everything good. He has +already given you almost the best." + +"Good-bye, you dear boy," said Rowena. "I have wanted to kiss you +many a time, but didn't dare. But now--you are going to the war"-- +there was a little break in her voice--"where men die. Good-bye, +Larry, dear boy, good-bye." She put her arms about him. "And +don't keep Jane waiting," she whispered in his ear. + +"If I were a German, Larry," said Hugo, giving him both hands, "I +would kiss you too, old boy, but being plain American, I can only +say good luck. God bless you." + +"You will find Elfie in her room," said Rowena. "She refuses to +say good-bye where any one can see her. She is not going to weep. +Soldiers' women do not weep, she says. Poor kid!" + +Larry found Elfie in her room, with high lights as of fever on her +cheeks and eyes glittering. + +"I am not going to cry," she said between her teeth. "You need not +be afraid, Larry. I am going to be like the Canadian women." + +Larry took the child in his arms, every muscle and every nerve in +her slight body taut as a fiddle-string. He smoothed her hair +gently and began to talk quietly with her. + +"What good times we have had!" he said. "I remember well the very +first night I saw you. Do you?" + +"Oh," she breathed, "don't speak of it, or I can't hold in." + +"Elfie," said Larry, "our Canadian women when they are seeing their +men off at the station do not cry; they smile and wave their hands. +That is, many of them do. But in their own rooms, like this, they +cry as much as they like." + +"Oh, Larry, Larry," cried the child, flinging herself upon him. +"Let me cry, then. I can't hold in any longer." + +"Neither can I, little girl. See, Elfie, there is no use trying +not to, and I am not ashamed of it, either," said Larry. + +The pent-up emotion broke forth in a storm of sobbing and tears +that shook the slight body as the tempest shakes the sapling. +Larry, holding her in his arms, talked to her about the good days +they had had together. + +"And isn't it fine to think that we have those forever, and, +whenever we want to, we can bring them back again? And I want you +to remember, Elfie, that when I was very lonely and homesick here +you were the one that helped me most." + +"And you, Larry, oh, what you did for me!" said the child. "I was +so sick and miserable and bad and cross and hateful." + +"That was just because you were not fit," said Larry. "But now you +are fit and fine and strong and patient, and you will always be so. +Remember it is a soldier's duty to keep fit." Elfie nodded. "And +I want you to send me socks and a lot of things when I get over +there. I shall write you all about it, and you will write me. +Won't you?" Again Elfie nodded. + +"I am glad you let me cry," she said. "I was so hot and sore +here," and she laid her hands upon her throat. "And I am glad you +cried too, Larry; and I won't cry before people, you know." + +"That is right. There are going to be too many sad people about +for us to go crying and making them feel worse," said Larry. + +"But I will say good-bye here, Larry. I could go to the train, but +then I might not quite smile." + +But when the train pulled out that night the last face that Larry +saw of all his warm-hearted American friends was that of the little +girl, who stood alone at the end of the platform, waving both her +hands wildly over her head, her pale face effulgent with a glorious +smile, through which the tears ran unheeded down her cheeks like +rain on a sunny day. And on Larry's face, as he turned away, there +was the same gleam of sunshine and of rain. + +"This farewell business is something too fierce," he said to +himself savagely, thinking with a sinking heart of the little group +at Wolf Willow in the West to whom he must say farewell, and of the +one he must leave behind in Winnipeg. "How do these women send +their husbands off and their sons? God knows, it is beyond me." + +Throughout the train journey to Calgary his mind was chiefly +occupied with the thought of the parting that awaited him. But +when he reached his destination he found himself so overwhelmed +with the rush of preparation and with the strenuous daily grind of +training that he had no time nor energy left for anything but his +work. A change, too, was coming swiftly over the heart of Canada +and over his own heart. The tales of Belgian atrocities, at first +rejected as impossible, but afterwards confirmed by the Bryce +Commission and by many private letters, kindled in Canadian hearts +a passion of furious longing to wipe from the face of the earth a +system that produced such horrors. Women who, with instincts +native of their kind, had at the first sought how they might with +honour keep back their men from the perils of war, now in their +compassion for women thus relentlessly outraged and for their +tender babes pitilessly mangled, consulted chiefly how they might +best fit their men for the high and holy mission of justice for the +wronged and protection for the helpless. It was this that wrought +in Larry a fury of devotion to his duty. Night and day he gave +himself to his training with his concentrated powers of body, mind +and soul, till he stood head and shoulders above the members of the +Officers' Training Corps at Calgary. + +After six weeks of strenuous grind Larry was ordered to report to +his battalion at Wolf Willow. A new world awaited him there, a +world recreated by the mysterious alchemy of war, a world in which +men and women moved amid high ideals and lofty purposes, a world +where the dominant note was sacrifice and the regnant motive duty. + +Nora met him at the station in her own car, which, in view of her +activity in connection with the mine where her father was now +manager, the directors had placed at her disposal. + +"How big and fine you look, Larry! You must be pounds heavier," +she cried, viewing him from afar. + +"Twenty pounds, and hard as hickory. Never so fit in my life," +replied her brother, who was indeed a picture of splendid and +vigorous health. + +"You are perfectly astonishing. But everything is astonishing +these days. Why, even father, till he broke his leg--" + +"Broke his leg?" + +"There was no use worrying you about it. A week ago, while he was +pottering about the mine, he slipped down a ladder and broke his +leg. He will probably stay where he belongs now--in the office. +But father is as splendid as any one could well be. He has gripped +that mine business hard, and even Switzer in his palmiest days +could not get better results. He has quite an extraordinary way +with the men, and that is something these days, when men are almost +impossible to get." + +"And mother?" enquired Larry. + +"Mother is equally surprising. But you will see for yourself. And +dear old Kathleen. She is at it day and night. They made her +President of the Women's War Association, and she is-- Well, it is +quite beyond words. I can't talk about it, that's all." Nora's +voice grew unsteady and she took refuge in silence. After a few +moments she went on: "And she has had the most beautiful letter +from Jack's colonel. It was on the Big Retreat from Mons that he +was killed at the great fight at Landrecies. You know about that, +Larry?" + +"No, never heard anything; I know really nothing of that retreat," +said Larry. + +"Well, we have had letters about it. It must have been great. Oh, +it will be a glorious tale some day. They began the fight, only +seventy-five thousand of the British--think of it! with two hundred +guns against four hundred thousand Germans with six hundred guns. +They began the fight on a Saturday. The French on both their +flanks gave way. One army on each flank trying to hem them in and +an army in front pounding the life out of them. They fought all +Saturday. They began the retreat on Saturday night, fought again +Sunday, marched Sunday night, they fought Monday and marched Monday +night, fought Tuesday, and marched Tuesday night. The letter said +they staggered down the roads like drunken men. Wednesday, dead +beat, they fought again--and against ever fresh masses of men, +remember. Wednesday night one corps came to Landrecies. At half- +past nine they were all asleep in billets. At ten o'clock a +perfectly fresh army of the enemy, field guns backing them up +behind, machine guns in front, bore down the streets into the +village. But those wonderful Coldstreams and Grenadiers and +Highlanders just filled the streets and every man for himself +poured in rifle fire, and every machine gun fired into the enemy +masses, smashed the attack and then they went at them with the +bayonet and flung them back. Again and again throughout the night +this thing was repeated until the Germans drew off, leaving five +hundred dead before the village and in its streets. It was in the +last bayonet charge, when leading his men, that Jack was killed." + +"My God!" cried Larry. "What a great death!" + +"And so Kathleen goes about with her head high and Sybil, too,-- +Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, you know," continued Nora, "she is just like the +others. She never thinks of herself and her two little kids who +are going to be left behind but she is busy getting her husband +ready and helping to outfit his men, as all the women are, with +socks and mits and all the rest of it. Before Tom made up his mind +to raise the battalion they were both wretched, but now they are +both cheery as crickets with a kind of exalted cheeriness that +makes one feel like hugging the dear things. And, Larry, there +won't be a man left in this whole country if the war keeps on +except old McTavish, who is furious because they won't take him and +who declares he is going on his own. Poor Mr. Rhye is feeling so +badly. He was rejected--heart trouble, though I think he is more +likely to injure himself here preaching as he does than at the +war." + +"And yourself, Nora? Carrying the whole load, I suppose,--ranch, +and now this mine. You are getting thin, I see." + +"No fear," said Nora. "Joe is really doing awfully well on the +ranch. He practically takes charge. By the way, Sam has enlisted. +He says he is going to stick to you. He is going to be your +batman. And as for the mine, since father's accident Mr. Wakeham +has been very kind. If he were not an American he would have +enlisted before this." + +"Oh! he would, eh?" + +"He would, or he would not be coming about Lakeside Farm." + +"Then he does come about?" + +"Oh, yes," said Nora with an exaggerated air of indifference. "He +would be rather a nuisance if he were not so awfully useful and so +jolly. After all, I do not see what we should have done without +him." + +"Ah, a good man is Dean." + +"I had a letter from Jane this week," continued Nora, changing the +subject abruptly. + +"I have not heard for two weeks," said Larry. + +"Then you have not heard about Scuddy. Poor Scuddy! But why say +'poor' Scuddy? He was doing his duty. It was a patrol party. He +was scouting and ran into an enemy patrol and was instantly killed. +The poor girl, Helen Brookes, I think it is." + +"Helen Brookes!" exclaimed Larry. + +"Yes, Jane says you knew her. She was engaged to Scuddy. And +Scallons is gone too." + +"Scallons!" + +"And Smart, Frank Smart." + +"Frank Smart! Oh! his poor mother! My God, this war is awful and +grows more awful every day." + +"Jane says Mrs. Smart is at every meeting of the Women's Association, +quiet and steady, just like our Kathleen. Oh, Larry, how can they +do it? If my husband--if I had one--were killed I could not, I just +could not, bear it." + +"I fancy, little girl, you would measure up like the others. This +is a damnable business, but we never knew our women till now. But +the sooner that cursed race is wiped off the face of the earth the +better." + +"Why, Larry, is that you? I cannot believe my ears." + +"Yes, it is me. I have come to see that there is no possibility of +peace or sanity for the world till that race of mad militarists is +destroyed. I am still a pacifist, but, thank God, no longer a +fool. Is there no other news from Jane?" + +"Did you hear about Ramsay Dunn? Oh, he did splendidly. He was +wounded; got a cross or something." + +"Did you know that Mr. Murray had organised a battalion and is +Lieutenant-Colonel and that Doctor Brown is organising a Field +Ambulance unit and going out in command?" + +"Oh, that is settled, is it? Jane told me it was possible." + +"Yes, and perhaps Jane and Ethel Murray will go with the Ambulance +Unit. Oh, Larry, is there any way I might go? I could do so much-- +drive a car, an ambulance, wash, scrub, carry despatches, anything." + +"By Jove, you would be a good one!" exclaimed her brother. "I +would like to have you in my company." + +"Couldn't it be worked in any possible way?" cried Nora. + +But Larry made no reply. He knew well that no reply was needed. +What was her duty this splendid girl would do, whether in Flanders +or in Alberta. + +At the door of their home the mother met them. As her eyes fell +upon her son in his khaki uniform she gave a little cry and ran to +him with arms uplifted. + +"Come right in here," she whispered, and took him to the inner +room. There she drew him to the bedside and down upon his knees. +With their arms about each other they knelt, mingling tears and +sobs together till their strength was done. Then through the sobs +the boy heard her voice. "You gave him to me," he heard her +whisper, not in her ordinary manner of reverent formal prayer, but +as if remonstrating with a friend. "You know you gave him to me +and I gave him back.--I know he is not mine.--But won't you let me +have him for a little while?--It will not be so very long.--Yes, +yes, I know.--I am not holding him back.--No, no, I could not, I +would not do that.--Oh, I would not.--What am I better than the +others?--But you will give him back to me again.--There are so many +never coming back, and I have only one boy.--You will let him come +back.--He is my baby boy.--It is his mother asking." + +Larry could bear it no longer. "Oh, mother, mother, mother," he +cried. "You are breaking my heart. You are breaking my heart." +His sobs were shaking the bed on which he leaned. + +His mother lifted her head. "What is it, Lawrence, my boy?" she +asked in surprise. "What is it?" Her voice was calm and steady. +"We must be steadfast, my boy. We must not grudge our offering. +No, with willing hearts we must bring our sacrifice." She passed +into prayer. "Thou, who didst give Thy Son, Thine only Son, to +save Thy world, aid me to give mine to save our world to-day. Let +the vision of the Cross make us both strong. Thou Cross-bearer, +help us to bear our cross." With a voice that never faltered, she +poured forth her prayer of sacrifice, of thanksgiving, of +supplication, till serene, steady, triumphant, they arose from +their knees. She was heard "in that she feared," in her surrender +she found victory, in her cross, peace. And that serene calm of +hers remained undisturbed to the very last. + +There were tears again at the parting, but the tears fell gently, +and through them shone ever her smile. + +A few short days Larry spent at his home moving about among those +that were dearer to him than his own life, wondering the while at +their courage and patience and power to sacrifice. In his father +he seemed to discover a new man, so concentrated was he in his +devotion to business, and so wise, his only regret being that he +could not don the king's uniform. With Kathleen he spent many +hours. Not once throughout all these days did she falter in her +steady, calm endurance, and in her patient devotion to duty. +Without tears, without a word of repining against her cruel fate, +with hardly a suggestion, indeed, of her irreparable loss, she +talked to him of her husband and of his glorious death. + +After two months an unexpected order called the battalion on +twenty-four hours' notice for immediate service over seas, and +amid the cheers of hundreds of their friends and fellow citizens, +although women being in the majority, the cheering was not of the +best, they steamed out of Melville Station. There were tears and +faces white with heartache, but these only after the last cheer +had been flung upon the empty siding out of which the cars of the +troop-train had passed. The tears and the white faces are for that +immortal and glorious Army of the Base, whose finer courage and +more heroic endurance make victory possible to the army of the +Fighting First Line. + +At Winnipeg the train was halted for a day and a night, where the +battalion ENJOYED the hospitality of the city which never tires of +welcoming and speeding on the various contingents of citizen +soldiers of the West en route for the Front. There was a dinner +and entertainment for the men. For Larry, because he was Acting +Adjutant, there was no respite from duty through all the afternoon +until the men had been safely disposed in the care of those who +were to act as their hosts at dinner. Then the Colonel took him +off to Jane and her father, who were waiting with their car to take +them home. + +"My! but you do look fine in your uniform," said Jane, "and so +strong, and so big; you have actually grown taller, I believe." +Her eyes were fairly standing out with pride and joy. + +"Not much difference north and south," said Larry, "but east and +west, considerable. And you, Jane, you are looking better than +ever. Whatever has happened to you?" + +"Hard work," said Jane. + +"I hear you are in the Big Business up to your neck," said Larry. +"There is so much to do, I can well believe it. And so your father +is going? How splendid of him!" + +"Oh, every one is doing what he can do best. Father will do the +ambulance well." + +"And I hear you are going too." + +"I do not know about that," said Jane. "Isn't it awfully hard to +tell just what to do? I should love to go, but that is the very +reason I wonder whether I should. There is so much to do here, and +there will be more and more as we go on, so many families to look +after, so much work to keep going; work for soldiers, you know, and +for their wives and children, and collecting money. And it is all +so easy to do, for every one is eager to do what he can. I never +knew people could be so splendid, Larry, and especially those who +have lost some one. There is Mrs. Smart, for instance, and poor +Scallan's mother, and Scuddy's." + +"Jane," said Larry abruptly, "I must see Helen. Can we go at once +when we take the others home?" + +"I will take you," said Jane. "I am glad you can go. Oh, she is +lovely, and so sweet, and so brave." + +Leaving the Colonel in Dr. Brown's care, they drove to the home of +Helen Brookes. + +"I dread seeing her," said Larry, as they approached the house. + +"Well, you need not dread that," said Jane. + +And after one look at Helen's face Larry knew that Jane was right. +The bright colour in the face, the proud carriage of the head, the +saucy look in the eye, once so characteristic of the "beauty queen" +of the 'Varsity, were all gone. But the face was no less beautiful, +the head carried no less proudly, the eye no less bright. There was +no shrinking in her conversation from the tragic fact of her lover's +death. She spoke quite freely of Scuddy's work in the battalion, of +his place with the men and of how they loved him, and all with a +fine, high pride in him. + +"The officers, from the Colonel down, have been so good to me," she +said. "They have told me so many things about Harry. And the +Sergeants and the Corporals, every one in his company, have written +me. They are beautiful letters. They make me laugh and cry, but I +love them. Dear boys, how I love them, and how I love to work for +them!" She showed Larry a thick bundle of letters. "And they all +say he was so jolly. I like that, for you know, being a Y. M. C. A. +man in college and always keen about that sort of thing--I am +afraid I did not help him much in that way--he was not so fearfully +jolly. But now I am glad he was that kind of a man, a good man, I +mean, in the best way, and that he was always jolly. One boy says, +'He always bucked me up to do my best,' and another, a Sergeant, +says, 'He put the fear of God into the slackers,' and the Colonel +says, 'He was a moral tonic in the mess,' and his chum officer +said, 'He kept us all jolly and clean.' I love that. So you see I +simply have to buck up and be jolly too." + +"Helen, you are wonderful," said Larry, who was openly wiping away +his tears. "Scuddy was a big man, a better man I never knew, and +you are worthy of him." + +They were passing out of the room when Helen pulled Larry back +again. "Larry," she said, her words coming with breathless haste, +"don't wait, oh, don't wait. Marry Jane before you go. That is my +great regret to-day. Harry wanted to be married and I did too. +But father and mother did not think it wise. They did not know. +How could they? Oh! Larry," she suddenly wrung her hands, "he +wished it so. Now I know it would have been best. Don't make my +mistake, don't, Larry. Don't make my mistake. Thank you for +coming to see me. Good-bye, Larry, dear. You were his best +friend. He loved you so." She put her arms around his neck and +kissed him, hastily wiped her eyes, and passed out to Jane with a +smiling face. + +They hurried away, for the hours in Winnipeg were short and there +was much to do and much to say. + +"Let her go, Jane," said Larry. "I am in a deuce of a hurry." + +"Why, Larry, what is the rush about just now?" said Jane in a +slightly grieved voice. + +"I have something I must attend to at once," said Larry. "So let +her go." And Jane drove hard, for the most part in silence, till +they reached home. + +Larry could hardly wait till she had given her car into the +chauffeur's charge. They found Dr. Brown and the Colonel in the +study smoking. + +"Dr. Brown," said Larry, in a quick, almost peremptory voice, "may +I see you for a moment or two in your office?" + +"Why, what's up? Not feeling well?" said Dr. Brown, while the +others looked anxiously at him. + +"Oh, I am fit enough," said Larry impatiently, "but I must see +you." + +"I am sure there is something wrong," said Jane, "he has been +acting so queer this evening. He is so abrupt. Is that the +military manner?" + +"Perhaps so," said the Colonel. "Nice chap, Larry--hard worker-- +good soldier--awfully keen in his work--making good too--best +officer I've got. Tell you a secret, Jane--expect promotion for +him any time now." + +Meantime Larry was facing Dr. Brown in his office. "Doctor," he +said, "I want to marry Jane." + +"Good heavens, when did this strike you?" + +"This evening. I want to marry her right away." + +"Right away? When?" + +"Right away, before I go. To-night, to-morrow." + +"Are you mad? You cannot do things like that, you know. Marry +Jane! Do you know what you are asking?" + +"Yes, Doctor, I know. But I have just seen Helen Brookes. She is +perfectly amazing, perfectly fine in her courage and all that, and +she told me about Scuddy's death without a tear. But, Doctor, +there was a point at which she broke all up. Do you know when? +When she told me of her chief regret, and that was that she and +Scuddy had not been married. They both wanted to be married, but +her parents were unwilling. Now she regrets it and she will always +regret it. Doctor, I see it very clearly. I believe it is better +that we should be married. Who knows what will come? So many of +the chaps do not come back. You are going out too, I am going out. +Doctor, I feel that it is best that we should be married." + +"And what does Jane think about it?" enquired the Doctor, gazing at +Larry in a bewildered manner. + +"Jane! Good Lord! I don't know. I never asked her!" Larry stood +gaping at the Doctor. + +"Well, upon my word, you are a cool one!" + +"I never thought of it, Doctor," said Larry. + +"Never thought of it? Are you playing with me, boy?" said the +Doctor sternly. + +"I will go and see her," said Larry, and he dashed from the room. +But as he entered the study, dinner was announced, and Larry's +question perforce must wait. + +Never was a meal so long-drawn-out and so tedious. The Colonel and +Jane were full of conversation. They discussed the news from the +West, the mine and its prospects, the Lakeside Farm and its people, +the Colonel's own family, the boys who had enlisted and those who +were left behind, the war spirit of Canada, its women and their +work and their heroism (here the Colonel talked softly), the war +and its prospects. The Colonel was a brilliant conversationalist +when he exerted himself, and he told of the way of the war in +England, of the awakening of the British people, of the rush to the +recruiting offices, of the women's response. He had tales, too, of +the British Expeditionary Force which he had received in private +letters, of its glorious work in the Great Retreat and afterwards. +Jane had to tell of her father's new Unit, now almost complete, of +Mr. Murray's new battalion, now in barracks, of the Patriotic Fund +and how splendidly it was mounting up into the hundreds of +thousands, and of the Women's War Association, of which she was +Secretary, and of the Young Women's War Organisation, of which she +was President; and all with such animation, with such radiant +smiles, with such flashing eyes, such keen swift play of thought +and wit that Larry could hardly believe his eyes and ears, so +immense was the change that had taken place in Jane during these +ten months. He could hardly believe, as he glanced across the +table at her vivid face, that this brilliant, quick-witted, radiant +girl was the quiet, demure Jane of his college days, his good +comrade, his chum, whom he had been inclined to patronise. What +was this that had come to her? What had released those powers of +mind and soul which he could now recognise as being her own, but +which he had never seen in action. As in a flash it came to him +that this mighty change was due to the terribly energising touch of +War. The development which in normal times would have required +years to accomplish, under the quickening impulse of this mighty +force which in a day was brought to bear upon the life of Canada, +this development became a thing of weeks and months only. War had +poured its potent energies through her soul and her soul had +responded in a new and marvellous efflorescence. Almost over night +as it were the flower of an exquisite womanhood, strong, tender, +sweet, beautiful, had burst into bloom. Her very face was changed. +The activities with which her days and nights were filled had +quickened all her vital forces so that the very texture and colour +of her skin radiated the bloom of vigorous mental and physical +health. Yet withal there remained the same quick, wise sympathy, +quicker, wiser than before war's poignant sorrows had disciplined +her heart; the same far-seeing vision that anticipated problems and +planned for their solution; the same proud sense of honour that +scorned things mean and gave quick approval to things high. As he +listened Larry felt himself small and poor in comparison with her. +More than that he had the sense of being excluded from her life. +The war and its activities, its stern claims, its catastrophic +events had taken possession of the girl's whole soul. Was there a +place for him in this new, grand scheme of life? A new and +terrible master had come into the lordship of her heart. Had love +yielded its high place? To that question Larry was determined to +have an answer to-night. To-morrow he was off to the Front. The +growing fury of the war, its appalling losses, made it increasingly +doubtful that he should ever see her face again. What her answer +would be he could not surely say. But to-night he would have it +from her. If "yes" there was time to-morrow to be married; if "no" +then the more gladly he would go to the war. + +After dinner the Doctor and the Colonel took their way to the study +to smoke and talk over matters connected with military organisation, +in regard to which the Doctor confessed himself to be woefully +ignorant. Jane led Larry into the library, where a bright fire +was burning. + +"Awfully jolly, this fire. We'll do without the lights," said +Larry, touching the switch and drawing their chairs forward to the +fire, wondering the while how he should get himself to the point of +courage necessary to his purpose. Had it been a few months ago +how easy it would have been. He could see himself with easy +camaraderie put his arm about Jane with never a quiver of voice or +shiver of soul, and say to her, "Jane, you dear, dear thing, won't +you marry me?" But at that time he had neither desire nor purpose. +Now by some damnable perversity of things, when heart and soul were +sick with the longing for her, and his purpose set to have her, he +found himself nerveless and shaking like a silly girl. He pushed +his chair back so that, unaware to her, his eyes could rest upon +her face, and planned his approach. He would begin by speaking of +Helen, of her courage, of her great loss, then of her supreme +regret, at which point he would make his plea. But Jane would give +him no help at all. Silent she sat looking into the fire, all the +vivacity and brilliance of the past hour gone, and in its place a +gentle, pensive sadness. The firelight fell on her face, so +changed from what it had been in those pre-war days, now so long +ago, yet so familiar and so dear. To-morrow at this hour he would +be far down the line with his battalion, off for the war. What lay +beyond that who could say? If she should refuse--"God help me +then," he groaned aloud, unthinking. + +"What is it, Larry?" she said, turning her face quickly toward him. + +"I was just thinking, Jane, that to-morrow I--that is--" He paused +abruptly. + +"Oh, Larry, I know, I know." Her hands went quickly to her breast. +In her eyes he saw a look of pain so acute, so pitiful, that he +forgot all his plan of approach. + +"Jane," he cried in a voice sharp with the intensity of his +feeling. + +In an instant they were both on their feet and facing each other. + +"Jane, dear, dear Jane, I love you so, and I want you so." He +stretched out his arms to take her. + +Startled, her face gone deadly pale, she put out her hands against +his breast, pushing him away from her. + +"Larry!" she said. "Larry, what are you saying?" + +"Oh, Jane, I am saying I love you; with all my heart and soul, I +love you and I want you, Jane. Don't you love me a bit, even a +little bit?" + +Slowly her arms dropped to her side. "You love me, Larry?" she +whispered. Her eyes began to glow like stars in a pool of water, +deep and lustrous, her lips to quiver. "You love me, Larry, and +you want me to--to--" + +"Yes, Jane, I want you to be my wife." + +"Your wife, Larry?" she whispered, coming a little closer to him. +"Oh, Larry," she laid her hands upon his breast, "I love you so, +and I have loved you so long." The lustrous eyes were misty, but +they looked steadily into his. + +"Dear heart, dear love," he said, drawing her close to him and +still gazing into her eyes. + +She wound her arms about his neck and with lips slightly parted +lifted her face to his. + +"Jane, Jane, you wonderful girl," he said, and kissed the parted +lips, while about them heaven opened and took them to its bosom. + +When they had come back to earth Larry suddenly recalled his +conversation with her father. "Jane," he said, "when shall we be +married? I must tell your father." + +"Married?" said Jane in a voice of despair. "Not till you return, +Larry." Then she clung to him trembling. "Oh, why were you so +slow, Larry? Why did you delay so long?" + +"Slow?" cried Larry. "Well, we can make up for it now." He looked +at his watch. "It's nine o'clock, Jane. We can be married to- +night." + +"Nonsense, you silly boy!" + +"Then to-morrow we shall be married, I swear. We won't make +Helen's mistake." And he told her of Helen Brookes's supreme +regret. "We won't make that mistake, Jane. To-morrow! To-morrow! +To-morrow it will be!" + +"But, Larry, listen. Papa--" + +"Your father will agree." + +"And my clothes?" + +"Clothes? You don't need any. What you have on will do." + +"This old thing?" + +"Perfectly lovely, perfectly splendid. Never will you wear anything +so lovely as this." + +"And then, Larry, what should I do? Where would I go? You are +going off." + +"And you will come with me." + +But Jane's wise head was thinking swiftly. "I might come across +with Papa," she said. "We were thinking--" + +"No," cried Larry. "You come with me. He will follow and pick you +up in London. Hurry, come along and tell him." + +"But, Larry, this is awful." + +"Splendid, glorious, come along. We'll settle all that later." + +He dragged her, laughing, blushing, almost weeping, to the study. +"She says she will do it to-morrow, sir," he announced as he pushed +open the door. + +"What do you say?" said the Doctor, gazing open-mouthed at him. + +"She says she will marry me to-morrow," he proclaimed as if +announcing a stupendous victory. + +"She does!" said the Doctor, still aghast. + +"Good heavens!" exclaimed the Colonel. "To-morrow? We are off +to-morrow!" + +Larry swung upon him eagerly. "Before we go, sir. There is lots +of time. You see we do not pull out until after three. We have +all the morning, if you could spare me an hour or so. We could get +married, and she would just come along with us, sir." + +Jane gasped. "With all those men?" + +"Good Lord!" exclaimed the Colonel. "The boy is mad." + +"We might perhaps take the later train," suggested Jane demurely. +"But, of course, Papa, I have never agreed at all," she added +quickly, turning to her father. + +"That settles it, I believe," said Dr. Brown. "Colonel, what do +you say? Can it be done?" + +"Done?" shouted the Colonel. "Of course, it can be done. Military +wedding, guard of honour, band, and all that sort of thing. Proper +style, first in the regiment, eh, what?" + +"But nothing is ready," said Jane, appalled at the rush of events. +"Not a dress, not a bridesmaid, nothing." + +"You have got a 'phone," cried Larry, gloriously oblivious of +difficulties. "Tell everybody. Oh, sir," he said, turning to Dr. +Brown with hand outstretched, "I hope you will let her come. I +promise you I will be good to her." + +Dr. Brown looked at the young man gravely, almost sadly, then at +his daughter. With a quick pang he noted the new look in her eyes. +He put out his hand to her and drew her toward him. + +"Dear child," he said, and his voice sounded hoarse and strained, +"how like you are to your mother to-night." Her arms went quickly +about his neck. He held her close to him for a few moments; then +loosing her arms, he pushed her gently toward Larry, saying, "Boy, +I give her to you. As you deal with her, so may God deal with +you." + +"Amen," said Larry solemnly, taking her hand in his. + +Never was such a wedding in Winnipeg! Nothing was lacking to make +it perfectly, gloriously, triumphantly complete. There was a +wedding dress, and a bridal veil with orange blossoms. There were +wedding gifts, for somehow, no one ever knew how, the morning Times +had got the news. There was a church crowded with friends to wish +them well, and the regimental band with a guard of honour, under +whose arched swords the bride and groom went forth. Never had the +Reverend Andrew McPherson been so happy in his marriage service. +Never was such a wedding breakfast with toasts and telegrams from +absent friends, from Chicago, and from the Lakeside Farm in +response to Larry's announcements by wire. Two of these excited +wild enthusiasm. One read, "Happy days. Nora and I following your +good example. See you later in France. Signed, Dean." The other, +from the Minister of Militia at Ottawa to Lieutenant-Colonel +Waring-Gaunt. "Your suggestion approved. Captain Gwynne gazetted +to-morrow as Major. Signed, Sam Hughes." + +"Ladies and Gentlemen," cried the Colonel, beaming upon the company, +"allow me to propose long life and many happy days for the Major and +the Major's wife." And as they drank with tumultuous acclaim, Larry +turned and, looking upon the radiant face at his side, whispered: + +"Jane, did you hear what he said?" + +"Yes," whispered Jane. "He said 'the Major.'" + +"That's nothing," said Larry, "but he said 'the Major's wife!'" + +And so together they went to the war. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg Etext of The Major, by Ralph Connor + diff --git a/old/major10.zip b/old/major10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ccc211 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/major10.zip |