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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Major, by Ralph Connor
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Major
+
+Author: Ralph Connor
+
+Release Date: May 30, 2006 [EBook #3249]
+Last Updated: March 5, 2018
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAJOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Donald Lainson
+
+
+
+
+
+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 the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Major, by Ralph Connor
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+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <title>
+      The Major, by Ralph Connor
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve">
+
+    body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify}
+    P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; }
+    H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; }
+    hr  { width: 50%; text-align: center;}
+    .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; }
+    blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    .mynote    {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;}
+    .toc       { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;}
+    .toc2      { margin-left: 20%;}
+    div.fig    { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; }
+    div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; }
+    .figleft   {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;}
+    .figright  {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;}
+    .pagenum   {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal;
+               margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%;
+               text-align: right;}
+    pre        { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;}
+
+</style>
+  </head>
+  <body>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Major, by Ralph Connor
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Major
+
+Author: Ralph Connor
+
+Release Date: May 30, 2006 [EBook #3249]
+Last Updated: March 5, 2018
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAJOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Donald Lainson; David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <h1>
+      THE MAJOR
+    </h1>
+    <p>
+      <br />
+    </p>
+    <h2>
+      By Ralph Connor
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+
+      <H3>CONTENTS</H3>
+
+<table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3">
+
+<tr> <td>
+
+
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <big><b>THE MAJOR</b></big>
+        </td></tr><tr><td><a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I  </td><td> THE COWARD</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a
+        href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II  </td><td> A FIGHT FOR FREEDOM</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="#link2HCH0003">
+        CHAPTER III  </td><td> THE ESCUTCHEON CLEARED</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV  </td><td> SALVAGE</a></td></tr><tr><td>
+        <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V  </td><td> WESTWARD HO!</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="#link2HCH0006">
+        CHAPTER VI  </td><td> JANE BROWN</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII  </td><td> THE GIRL OF THE WOOD LOT</a></td></tr><tr><td>
+        <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII  </td><td> YOU FORGOT ME</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a
+        href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX  </td><td> EXCEPT HE STRIVE LAWFULLY</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="#link2HCH0010">
+        CHAPTER X  </td><td> THE SPIRIT OF CANADA</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI  </td><td> THE SHADOW OF WAR</a></td></tr><tr><td>
+        <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII  </td><td> MEN AND A MINE</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a
+        href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII  </td><td> A DAY IN SEPTEMBER</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="#link2HCH0014">
+        CHAPTER XIV  </td><td> AN EXTRAORDINARY NURSE</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV  </td><td> THE COMING OF JANE</a></td></tr><tr><td>
+        <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI  </td><td> HOSPITALITY WITHOUT GRUDGING</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a
+        href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII  </td><td> THE TRAGEDIES OF LOVE</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="#link2HCH0018">
+        CHAPTER XVIII  </td><td> THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX  </td><td> THE CLOSING OF THE DOOR</a></td></tr><tr><td>
+        <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX  </td><td> THE GERMAN TYPE OF CITIZENSHIP</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a
+        href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI  </td><td> WAR</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="#link2HCH0022">
+        CHAPTER XXII  </td><td> THE TUCK OF DRUM</a></td></tr><tr><td> <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII  </td><td> A NEUTRAL NATION</a></td></tr><tr><td>
+        <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV  </td><td> THE MAJOR AND THE MAJOR'S WIFE</a></td></tr>
+
+    </table>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <h1>
+      THE MAJOR
+    </h1>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER I
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE COWARD
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Law-r-ence,&rdquo; clear as a bird call came the voice from within.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mo-th-er,&rdquo; rang the boy's voice in reply, high, joyous and shrill.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ear-ly! Remember!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ri-ght a-way af-ter school. Good-bye, mo-ther, dear,&rdquo; called the boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;W-a-i-t,&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;A brave little bird,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;That is the way to meet
+      the day, with a brave heart and a bright song. Goodbye, boy.&rdquo; She kissed
+      him as she spoke, giving him a slight pat on the shoulder. &ldquo;Away you go.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But the boy stood fascinated by the bird so gallantly facing his day. His
+      mother's words awoke in him a strange feeling. &ldquo;A brave heart and a bright
+      song&rdquo;&mdash;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 &ldquo;Ol' Martin&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;up No'th&rdquo; to Canada and to freedom.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Glory, glory, hallelujah, his soul goes marching on.&rdquo; By means of
+      &ldquo;double-tongueing,&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;God
+      bless his bright face,&rdquo; she murmured, pausing in her work to watch the
+      upright little figure as he passed along. At the blacksmith's shop the
+      band paused.
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+        Tink, tink, tink, tink,
+      Tink, tink-a-tink-tink-tink.
+        Tink tink, tink, tink,
+      Tink, tink-a-tink-tink-tink.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello, Joe; coming to school?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ugh,&rdquo; grunted Joe, from the repose of limitless calm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come on, then, quick, march.&rdquo; Once more the band struck up its hymn.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hol' on, Larry, it's plenty tam again,&rdquo; said Joe. The band came to a
+      stop. &ldquo;I don' lak dat school me,&rdquo; he continued, still immersed in calm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;no lak dat school.&rdquo; Besides, Joe
+      was a creature of the open fields. His French Canadian father, Joe
+      Gagneau, &ldquo;Ol' Joe,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;An' it ees half-hour too queek,&rdquo; persisted Joe. &ldquo;Come on hup to de dam.&rdquo;
+       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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There's big Ben and Mop,&rdquo; cried Larry eagerly. &ldquo;Hello, Ben,&rdquo; he called
+      across the pond. &ldquo;Goin' to school?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yap,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello, Ben,&rdquo; cried Larry. &ldquo;Take us in too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right,&rdquo; said Ben, heading the boat for the bank. &ldquo;Let me take an oar,
+      Ben,&rdquo; said Larry, whose experience upon the world of waters was not any
+      too wide.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here, where you goin',&rdquo; cried Mop, as the boat slowly but surely pointed
+      toward the cedars. &ldquo;You stop pulling, Ben. Now, Larry, pull around again.
+      There now, she's right. Pull, Ben.&rdquo; But Ben sat rigid with his eyes intent
+      upon the cedars.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What's the matter, Ben?&rdquo; said Larry. Still Ben sat with fixed gaze.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;By gum, he's in, boys,&rdquo; said Ben in a low voice. &ldquo;I thought he had his
+      nest in one of them stubs.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it&mdash;in what stub?&rdquo; inquired Larry, his voice shrill with
+      excitement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That big middle stub, there,&rdquo; said Ben. &ldquo;It's a woodpecker. Say, let's
+      pull down and see it.&rdquo; Under Mop's direction the old scow gradually made
+      its way toward the big stub.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say, boys, we'll be late,&rdquo; cried Larry, in sudden panic, seizing his oar.
+      &ldquo;Come on, Ben, let's go.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I guess it's pretty late now,&rdquo; replied Ben, slowly taking up his oar.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dat bell, I hear him long tam,&rdquo; said Joe placidly. &ldquo;Oh, Joe!&rdquo; cried Larry
+      in distress. &ldquo;Why didn't you tell us?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We'll catch it all right,&rdquo; said Mop with dark foreboding. &ldquo;He was awful
+      mad last time and said he'd lick any one who came late again and keep him
+      in for noon too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The prospect was sufficiently gloomy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aw, let's hurry up anyway,&rdquo; cried Larry, who during his school career had
+      achieved a perfect record for prompt and punctual attendance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In ever deepening dejection the discussion proceeded until at length Mop
+      came forward with a daring suggestion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say, boys, let's wait until noon. He won't notice anything. We can easily
+      fool him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dat woodchuck,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;he's got one hole on de hill by dere. He's big
+      feller. We dron heem out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come on, let's,&rdquo; cried Mop. &ldquo;It will be awful fun to drown the beggar
+      out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Guess we can't do much this morning, anyway,&rdquo; said Ben, philosophically
+      making the best of a bad job. &ldquo;Let's go, Larry.&rdquo; And much against his
+      will, but seeing no way out of the dilemma, Larry agreed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What's the matter with you, Larry?&rdquo; inquired Mop, noticing his pale face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, nothing; it's getting a little cold, I guess.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Cold!&rdquo; laughed Mop. &ldquo;I guess you're getting scared all right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It don't take much to scare you anyway,&rdquo; said Mop with an ugly grin.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You're scared,&rdquo; reiterated Mop with increasing contempt, &ldquo;and you know
+      you're scared. You ain't got any spunk anyway. You ain't got the spunk of
+      a louse.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You ain't no good anyway,&rdquo; continued Mop, with the native instinct of the
+      bully to worry his victim. &ldquo;You can't play nothin' and you can't lick
+      nobody in the whole school.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aw, let him alone, can't you, Mop?&rdquo; said big Ben. &ldquo;He ain't hurtin' you
+      none.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hurtin' me,&rdquo; cried Mop, who for some unaccountable reason had worked
+      himself into a rage. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I bet he can't,&rdquo; said Ben, measuring Larry with his eye and desiring to
+      defend him from this degrading accusation. &ldquo;I bet he'd put up a pretty
+      fine scrap,&rdquo; continued Ben, &ldquo;if he had to.&rdquo; Larry's heart warmed to his
+      champion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, if he had to,&rdquo; replied Mop with a sneer. &ldquo;But he would never have
+      to. He wouldn't fight a flea. Joe can lick him with one hand, can't you,
+      Joe?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I donno. I don' want fight me,&rdquo; said Joe.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I know you don't want to, but you could, couldn't you?&rdquo; persisted
+      Mop. Joe shrugged his shoulders. &ldquo;Ha, I told you so. Hurrah for my man,&rdquo;
+       cried Mop, clapping Joe on the back and pushing him toward Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ben began to scent sport. He was also conscious of a rising resentment
+      against Mop's exultant tone and manner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I bet you,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; jeered Mop, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry looked at Joe, the little smile still on his face. &ldquo;I don't want to
+      fight Joe. What would I fight Joe for?&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I told you so,&rdquo; cried Mop, dancing about. &ldquo;He ain't got no fight in him.
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+     Take a dare,
+     Take a dare,
+     Chase a cat,
+     And hunt a hare.&rdquo;
+ </pre>
+    <p>
+      Ben looked critically at Larry as if appraising the quality of his soul.
+      &ldquo;Joe can't lick you with one hand tied behind his back, can he, Larry?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't want to fight Joe,&rdquo; persisted Larry still smiling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ya, ya,&rdquo; persisted Mop. &ldquo;Here, Joe, you knock this chip off Larry's
+      shoulder.&rdquo; Mop placed the gauge of battle on Larry's shoulder. &ldquo;Go ahead,
+      Joe.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aw, your man's no good. He won't fight,&rdquo; cried Mop with unspeakable
+      disgust. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;Here you, look out,&rdquo; he
+      cried, &ldquo;I will smash you.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Keep him off, keep him off. He will kill me, he will kill me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;He is a coward and his mother is a coward before him.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it, dear?&rdquo; inquired his mother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am going to bed, mother,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is your head bad?&rdquo; she asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, no, mother. It is nothing. I am tired,&rdquo; he said, and went upstairs.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That you, mother?&rdquo; he asked, the old whimsical smile at his lips.
+      &ldquo;Good-night.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER II
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      A FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;Eternal vigilance is the price
+      of freedom.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The assembly&mdash;with the extraordinary patience that characterises
+      public assemblies&mdash;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&mdash;while on the front benches the
+      animated and giggling whispering of three little girls tended to relieve
+      the hour from an almost superhuman gravity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take these,&rdquo; said the man, &ldquo;and distribute them, please.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then in a voice, deep, thrilling, vibrant with a noble emotion, he read
+      the words:
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+     &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+ </pre>
+    <p>
+      They sang the verse, and when they had finished he stood looking at them
+      in silence for a moment or two, then announced solemnly:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Friends, that will not do for this hymn. Sing it with your hearts. Listen
+      to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then he sang a verse in a deep, strong baritone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now try.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Timidly they obeyed him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, no, not at all,&rdquo; he shouted at them. &ldquo;Listen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will never sing those words as you should,&rdquo; he cried, &ldquo;until you know
+      and feel the glory of that wondrous cross. Never, never, never.&rdquo; His voice
+      rose in a passionate crescendo.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aha, boy,&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;You can sing those words. Try that last verse.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The boy stared, fascinated, at him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sing the last verse, boy,&rdquo; commanded the evangelist, &ldquo;sing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+     &ldquo;Love so amazing, so divine,
+      Demands my soul, my life, my all.&rdquo;
+ </pre>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;Let
+      us pray.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+      &ldquo;The Rector! The Rector!&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you pardon me, sir,&rdquo; he began with elaborate politeness. &ldquo;Do I
+      understand you're a clergyman?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, no, sir,&rdquo; replied the evangelist, &ldquo;just a plain preacher.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are not in any Holy Orders then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, no, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you an ordained or accredited minister of any of the&mdash;ah&mdash;dissenting
+      bodies?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not exactly, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then, sir,&rdquo; demanded the Rector, &ldquo;may I ask by what authority you presume
+      to exercise the functions of the holy ministry and in my parish?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well&mdash;really&mdash;sir, I do not know why I&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then, sir, let me tell you this will not be permitted,&rdquo; said the Rector
+      sternly. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But surely, sir,&rdquo; said the evangelist hurriedly as if anxious to get in a
+      word, &ldquo;I may be permitted in this free country to preach the Gospel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;ah&mdash;persons,
+      of whose character and antecedents we have no knowledge. Pray, sir,&rdquo; cried
+      the Rector, taking a step toward the man on the platform, &ldquo;whom do you
+      represent?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The evangelist drew himself up quietly and said, &ldquo;My Lord and Master, sir.
+      May I ask whom do you represent?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was a deadly thrust. For the first time during the encounter the Rector
+      palpably gave ground.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Eh? Ah&mdash;sir&mdash;I&mdash;ah&mdash;ahem&mdash;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is that body?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The Church of Christ&mdash;the body of believers.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that an organised body with ordained ministers and holy sacraments?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We do not believe in a paid ministry with special privileges and powers,&rdquo;
+       said the evangelist. &ldquo;We believe that every disciple has a right to preach
+      the glorious Gospel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, then you receive no support from any source in this ministry of
+      yours?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The evangelist hesitated. &ldquo;I receive no salary, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No support?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I receive no regular salary,&rdquo; reiterated the evangelist.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do not quibble, sir,&rdquo; said the Rector sternly. &ldquo;Do you receive any
+      financial support from any source whatever in your mission about the
+      country?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I receive&mdash;&rdquo; began the evangelist.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you or do you not?&rdquo; thundered the Rector.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was about to say that my expenses are paid by my society.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, no more need be said. These people can judge for themselves.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am willing that they should judge, but I remind you that there is
+      another Judge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir,&rdquo; replied the Rector with portentous solemnity, &ldquo;there is,
+      before whom both you and I must stand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And now then,&rdquo; said the evangelist, taking up the Bible, &ldquo;we may proceed
+      with our meeting.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir,&rdquo; replied the Rector, stepping upon the platform. &ldquo;I will not
+      permit it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have no right to&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have every right to protect this community from heretical and
+      disingenuous, not to say dishonest, persons.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You call me dishonest?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I said disingenuous.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The evangelist turned toward the audience. &ldquo;I protest against this
+      intrusion upon this meeting. I appeal to the audience for British fair
+      play.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Murmurs were heard from the audience and subdued signs of approval. The
+      Rector glanced upon the people.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Fair play,&rdquo; he cried, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Liberty of speech!&rdquo; called a voice from a dark corner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Liberty of speech,&rdquo; roared the Rector. &ldquo;Who of you wants liberty of
+      speech? Let him stand forth.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There followed a strained and breathless silence. The champion of free
+      speech retreated behind his discretion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, I thought so,&rdquo; said the Rector in grim contempt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sir,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If Mrs. Gwynne, our good friend and neighbour, desires to address this
+      meeting,&rdquo; he said with a courteous and elaborate bow, &ldquo;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&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Liberty of speech,&rdquo; said the voice again from the dark corner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Rector wheeled fiercely in the direction from which the interruption
+      came.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who speaks,&rdquo; he cried; &ldquo;why does he shrink into the darkness? Let him
+      come forth.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Again discretion held the interrupter silent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As for you&mdash;you, sir,&rdquo; continued the Rector, turning upon the
+      evangelist, &ldquo;if you desire&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My son,&rdquo; he said, grandly waving the Rector to one side, &ldquo;allow me, my
+      son. You have done well. Now I shall deal with this gentleman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sir,&rdquo; cried the dwarf, &ldquo;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?&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come, come, John,&rdquo; he said, laying a firm, but gentle, hand upon the
+      dwarf's shoulder. &ldquo;That will do now. He is perfectly harmless, sir,&rdquo; he
+      said, addressing the evangelist. Then turning to the audience, &ldquo;I think we
+      may dismiss this meeting,&rdquo; and, raising his hands, he pronounced the
+      benediction, and the people dispersed in disorder.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      With a strained &ldquo;Good-night, sir,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am truly grieved,&rdquo; she said, addressing the evangelist, &ldquo;that you were
+      not given an opportunity to deliver your message.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What a terrible creature that is,&rdquo; he exclaimed in a tone indicating
+      nervous anxiety.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you mean poor John?&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne. &ldquo;The poor man is quite
+      harmless. He became excited with the unusual character of the meeting. He
+      will disturb you no more.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I fear it is useless,&rdquo; said the evangelist. &ldquo;I cannot continue in the
+      face of this opposition.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It may be difficult, but not useless,&rdquo; replied Mrs. Gwynne, the light of
+      battle glowing in her grey eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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,&rdquo;
+       he continued, offering his hand, &ldquo;let me thank you warmly for your
+      sympathy. It was splendidly courageous of you. Do you&mdash;do you attend
+      his church?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, we worship with the Episcopal Church. I am a Friend myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, then it was a splendidly courageous act. I honour you for it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you will continue your mission?&rdquo; she replied earnestly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Alas, I can hardly see how the mission can be continued. There seems to
+      be no opening.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Gwynne apparently lost interest. &ldquo;Good-bye,&rdquo; 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:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How could you do it, mother? You were not a bit afraid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Afraid of what, the Rector?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, not the Rector&mdash;but to speak up that way before all the people.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was hard to speak,&rdquo; said his mother, &ldquo;very hard, but it was harder to
+      keep silent. It did not seem right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The boy's heart swelled with a new pride in his mother. &ldquo;Oh, mother,&rdquo; he
+      said, &ldquo;you were splendid. You were like a soldier standing there. You were
+      like the martyrs in my book.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, no, no, my boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I tell you yes, mother, I was proud of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The thrilling passion in the little boy's voice went to his mother's
+      heart. &ldquo;Were you, my boy?&rdquo; she said, her voice faltering. &ldquo;I am glad you
+      were.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mother,&rdquo; he burst forth in a passionate declaration of faith, &ldquo;you're not
+      a coward.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A coward?&rdquo; replied his mother, astonished.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A Quaker,&rdquo; said his mother. &ldquo;Yes, dear, I belong to the Friends, as we
+      call them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And they, won't they ever fight?&rdquo; demanded the boy anxiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They do not believe that fighting with fists, or sticks, or like wild
+      beasts,&rdquo; said his mother, &ldquo;ever wins anything worth while.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never, mother?&rdquo; cried the boy, anxiety and fear in his tones. &ldquo;You would
+      fight, you would fight to-night, you would fight the Rector.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, my boy,&rdquo; said his mother quietly, &ldquo;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,&rdquo; a certain pride rang out in the
+      mother's voice. She continued, &ldquo;We must never be afraid to suffer for what
+      we believe to be right. You must never forget that through all your life,
+      Larry.&rdquo; Her voice grew solemn. &ldquo;You must never, never go back from what
+      you know to be right, even if you have to suffer for it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, mother,&rdquo; whispered the boy through his sobs, &ldquo;I wish I were brave
+      like you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, no, not like me,&rdquo; whispered his mother, putting her face down to his.
+      &ldquo;You will be much braver than your mother, my boy, oh, very much braver
+      than your mother.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The boy still clung to her as if he feared to let her go. &ldquo;Oh, mother,&rdquo; he
+      whispered, &ldquo;do you think I can be brave?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, my boy,&rdquo; her voice rang out again confident and clear. &ldquo;It always
+      makes us brave to know that He bore the cross for us and died rather than
+      betray us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER III
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE ESCUTCHEON CLEARED
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;He was not
+      worth a tinker's curse.&rdquo; 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&mdash;for he was a Trinity man&mdash;were fascinated by his charm
+      of manner, loved him for his kindly qualities, but would not pay their
+      bills.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Many years ago, having failed to work harmoniously with his business
+      partner, a shrewd, hard-headed, Belfast draper&mdash;hard-hearted Mr.
+      Gwynne considered him&mdash;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;And besides, Michael,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;Lawrence must
+      go to High School next year. He will pass the Entrance examination this
+      summer, and he must go.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He shall go,&rdquo; said her husband. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;make his heels save his head.&rdquo; 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: &ldquo;You're a coward and your mother's a coward before you.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;fighting man&rdquo; 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, &ldquo;Let your
+      heels save your head,&rdquo; a maxim which ought if ever to be observed in such
+      a bout as this in which he was so out-classed in weight.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At the word &ldquo;Time&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ben Hopper, who was acting as Larry's second, was filled with surprise and
+      indignation at his principal's fighting tactics. &ldquo;You blame fool,&rdquo; he said
+      to Larry as he ministered to his all too apparent necessities. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Corec,&rdquo; said Joe. &ldquo;Larree, you fight all the same Mack Morrison's ram.
+      Head down, jump in&mdash;head down, jump in. Why you run so queek on dat
+      Mop feller? Why you not make him run after you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He's right, Larry,&rdquo; said Ben. &ldquo;Use your feet; make him come after you.
+      You will sure get his wind.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+      &ldquo;He's a coward, an' his mother's a coward before him.&rdquo; Only one obsession
+      possessed him, he must keep hard at his enemy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Time!&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Stay where you are,&rdquo; yelled Ben. &ldquo;Take your count, Larry, and keep away
+      from him. Do you hear me? Keep away, always away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's the game,&rdquo; yelled Ben. &ldquo;Keep it up, old boy, keep it up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;C'est bon stuff, Larree,&rdquo; yelled Joe, dancing wildly in Ben's corner.
+      &ldquo;C'est bon stuff, Larree, for sure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What's up with you, Larry?&rdquo; said Mack. &ldquo;Where's your science gone? Why
+      don't you play the game as you know it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mack, Mack,&rdquo; panted Larry. &ldquo;It ain't a game. I'm&mdash;I'm fighting, and,
+      Mack, I'm not afraid of him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mack whistled. &ldquo;Who said you are afraid of him, youngster?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He did, Mack, he called me a coward&mdash;you remember, Ben, up in the
+      cedar bush that day we played hookey&mdash;you remember, Ben?&rdquo; Ben nodded.
+      &ldquo;He called me a coward and&rdquo;&mdash;grinding the words between his teeth&mdash;&ldquo;he
+      called my mother a coward. But I am not afraid of him, Mack&mdash;he can't
+      make me afraid; he can't make me run away.&rdquo; What with his rage and his
+      secret fear, the boy had quite lost control of himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So that's it,&rdquo; said Mack, reading both rage and fear in his eyes. &ldquo;Listen
+      to me, Larry,&rdquo; he continued in a voice low and stern. &ldquo;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&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But the boy spoke no word in reply. He was staring gloomily, desperately,
+      before him into space.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mack seized him, and shaking him impatiently, said, &ldquo;Larry boy, listen to
+      me. Don't you care for anybody but yourself? Don't you care for me at
+      all?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At that Larry appeared to wake up as from a sleep.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What did you say, Mack?&rdquo; he answered. &ldquo;Of course I care, you know that,
+      Mack.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then,&rdquo; said Mack, &ldquo;for God's sake, get a smile on your face. Smile,
+      confound you, smile.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now you're all right,&rdquo; cried Mack in triumph. &ldquo;Remember your father's
+      rule, 'Keep your head with your heels.'&rdquo; And Larry did remember! For on
+      the call of &ldquo;Time&rdquo; 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:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He's fightin'. He's fightin'. I'm not fightin'.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You'd better get busy then,&rdquo; called Ben derisively from his corner. &ldquo;Now,
+      Larry, sail into him,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;I was not afraid of him anyway, mother; he could
+      not make me run.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not so sure of this boxing, Lawrence,&rdquo; she said, but the boy caught
+      the glint in her eyes and was well enough content.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the late evening Ben, with Larry and Joe following him, took occasion
+      to look in upon Mop at the butcher shop.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say, Mop,&rdquo; said Ben pleasantly, &ldquo;what do you think of Larry now? Would
+      you say he was a coward?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo; asked Mop, suspecting trouble.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just what I say,&rdquo; said Ben, while Larry moved up within range, his face
+      white, his eyes gleaming.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I ain't saying nothing about nobody,&rdquo; replied Mop sullenly, with the tail
+      of his eye upon Larry's white face and gleaming eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You say him one tam&mdash;in de cedar swamp,&rdquo; said Joe.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would you say Larry was a coward?&rdquo; repeated Ben.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I wouldn't say nothing of the sort,&rdquo; replied Mop promptly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think he is a coward?&rdquo; persisted Ben.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Mop, &ldquo;I know he ain't no coward. He don't fight like no
+      coward.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This appeared to satisfy Ben, but Larry, moving slightly nearer, took up
+      the word for himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And would you say my mother was a coward?&rdquo; he asked in a tense voice, his
+      body gathered as if for a spring.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Larry, I wouldn't say nothing about your mother,&rdquo; replied Mop earnestly.
+      &ldquo;I think your mother's a bully good woman. She was awfully good to my
+      mother last winter, I know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The spring went out of Larry's body. He backed away from Mop and the boys.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who said your mother was a coward?&rdquo; inquired Mop indignantly. &ldquo;If anybody
+      says so, you bring him to me, and I'll punch his head good, I will.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry looked foolishly at Ben, who looked foolishly back at him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say, Mop,&rdquo; said Larry, a smile like a warm light passing over his face,
+      &ldquo;come on up and see my new rabbits.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER IV
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      SALVAGE
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall have a lot of money, mother,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;for my high school now. I
+      wonder how much it will cost me for the term.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Thereupon his mother seized the opportunity to discuss the problem with
+      him which she knew they must face together.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let us see,&rdquo; said his mother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can't do it, mother,&rdquo; said Larry, in bitter disappointment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We shall not give up yet,&rdquo; said his mother. &ldquo;Indeed, I think with what we
+      can make out of the farm and garden and poultry, we ought to be able to
+      manage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But a new and chilling thought had come to the lad. He pondered silently,
+      and as he pondered his face became heavily shadowed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say, mother,&rdquo; he said suddenly, &ldquo;we can't do it. How much are you going
+      to spend on your clothes?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All I need,&rdquo; said his mother brightly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But how much?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much did you spend last year?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, never mind, Lawrence; that really does not matter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But the boy insisted. &ldquo;Did you spend thirty-one dollars?&rdquo; His mother
+      laughed at him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you spend twenty?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you spend fifteen?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not know,&rdquo; said his mother, &ldquo;and I am not going to talk about it. My
+      clothes and the girls' clothes will be all right for this year.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mother,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;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.&rdquo; The boy rose from his chair and stood and faced his
+      mother with quivering lips, fighting to keep back the tears.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mother reached out her hand and drew him toward her. &ldquo;My darling boy,&rdquo; she
+      said in a low voice, &ldquo;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,&rdquo; she added, patting him on the shoulder, and holding him off from
+      her, &ldquo;when you are rich you will give me a silk dress.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won't I just,&rdquo; cried the boy passionately, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, mother, mother,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You have been wonderful to us all, and you
+      have had an awfully hard time. A fellow never knows, does he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A hard time? A hard time?&rdquo; said his mother, a great surprise in her voice
+      and in her face. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;a
+      thing unheard of in that community&mdash;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That there feller,&rdquo; he said, looking from the receipt in his hand to the
+      store door through which the form of Mr. Sleighter had just vanished,
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;hated to see
+      good money roll past him.&rdquo; Hence with something of a grudge he prepared to
+      hand over to Mr. Gwynne some twelve hundred and fifty dollars of salvage
+      money.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose he will be selling out his farm,&rdquo; said Mr. Sleighter in
+      conversation with Mr. Martin. &ldquo;What's land worth about here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, somewhere about a hundred.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A hundred dollars an acre!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Sleighter. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The house and the stable ain't worth much,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Surely that is a low figure,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Low figure!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Martin. &ldquo;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,&rdquo;
+       he continued, &ldquo;I ain't pressin' you. Don't much matter to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The offer came at a psychologically critical moment, when Mr. Gwynne was
+      desperately seeking escape from an intolerable environment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall consult Mrs. Gwynne,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and let you know in a few days.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't know as I can wait that long,&rdquo; said Mr. Martin. &ldquo;I made the offer
+      to oblige you, and besides I got a chance at the Monroe fifty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Call to-morrow night,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne, and carried the proposal home to
+      his wife.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But four thousand dollars,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;is surely a small price.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Small? I know it is small, but Martin knows I am in a corner. He is a
+      highway robber.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Couldn't find you at the store,&rdquo; said that gentleman, walking in with his
+      hat on his head. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne, &ldquo;will you excuse me? I am engaged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I beg your pardon, I didn't know any one was here. I merely wanted&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Sleighter glanced over his shoulder.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Sleighter,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne. &ldquo;My wife.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pleased to meet you, ma'am. I hope you are well,&rdquo; he said, bowing
+      elaborately before her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you very much, I am quite well. I have heard a great deal about
+      you, Mr. Sleighter. I am glad to meet you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It's a fine day, ma'am,&rdquo; he remarked, seeking cover for his soul in
+      conversation. &ldquo;A little warm for the time,&rdquo; he continued, wiping his
+      forehead with a highly coloured silk handkerchief.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The searching eyes were holding him steadily, but the face was kindly and
+      full of genuine interest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I guess so,&rdquo; he said with a little laugh. He would have scorned to
+      acknowledge that his laugh was nervous and thin. &ldquo;I come from the windy
+      side of the earth.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I am from out West&mdash;Alberta. We have got all the winds there is
+      and the Chinook besides for a change.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Alberta? The Chinook?&rdquo; The eyes became less searching.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, that's the wind that comes down from the mountains and licks up the
+      snow at ten miles an hour.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was an Alberta man, you know, who invented a rig with runners in front
+      and wheels behind.&rdquo; The lady was bewildered. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have a son, Mr. Sleighter? He's in Alberta now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hear it's a beautiful country out there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now you're talkin', ma'am.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;None of your pin-head two-by-four shysters that you see here in the
+      East,&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Sleighter. &ldquo;I mean some folks, of course,&rdquo; he
+      explained in some confusion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And the children, did they like it?&rdquo; inquired Mrs. Gwynne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You bet they did. Why, they was all over the hull prairie, all day and
+      all night, too, mostly&mdash;on ponies you know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ponies!&rdquo; exclaimed Larry. &ldquo;Did they have ponies? Could they ride? How big
+      are they?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo; Here a shadow fell on Mr.
+      Sleighter's face. &ldquo;And the girls&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne. &ldquo;It is hard to realise that they are growing up
+      and will soon be away from us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's so,&rdquo; said Mr. Sleighter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And the schools,&rdquo; continued Mrs. Gwynne, &ldquo;are there good schools?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Schools?&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Sleighter. &ldquo;There's a real good school not more
+      than a couple of miles away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Two miles,&rdquo; exclaimed the mother aghast.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, that's nothin'. They ride, of course. But we ain't got much of a
+      master now. He's rather&mdash;you know.&rdquo; Mr. Sleighter significantly
+      tipped up with his little finger and winked toward Mr. Gwynne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you love that country,&rdquo; she said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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,&rdquo; he continued rapidly. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You still own your ranch?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; can't sell easily. You see there's not much broke on it&mdash;only a
+      hundred acres or so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, how big is the ranch?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Five hundred acres and a wood lot. I did not farm much, though&mdash;mostly
+      cattle and horses. I was away a good deal on the trail.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The trail?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At this point the Widow Martin came in to lay the table for tea. Mr.
+      Sleighter took the hint and rose to go.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will do us the pleasure of staying for tea, Mr. Sleighter?&rdquo; said Mrs.
+      Gwynne earnestly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, do,&rdquo; said the youngest little girl, Nora, whose snapping black eyes
+      gleamed with eager desire to hear more of the wonderful western land.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, do, and tell us more,&rdquo; said the boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you will be able to stay,&rdquo; continued Mrs. Gwynne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Sleighter glanced at her husband. &ldquo;Why, certainly,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne,
+      &ldquo;we would be glad to have you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Still Mr. Sleighter hesitated. &ldquo;Say, I don't know what's come over me. I
+      feel as if I had been on the stump,&rdquo; he said in an embarrassed voice. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;We follow the
+      custom of reading prayers every evening after tea, Mr. Sleighter. We shall
+      be glad to have you join us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sure thing, ma'am,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I'll be goin',&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;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&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't suppose he was any the worse for that,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will come again, Mr. Sleighter,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne, giving him her
+      hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and tell us more about that new country,&rdquo; added her son. &ldquo;My, I'd
+      like to go out there!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It's a wonderful country all right and you might do a hull lot worse.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER V
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      WESTWARD HO!
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Gwynne accompanied Mr. Sleighter to the door. &ldquo;Will you walk down to
+      the store?&rdquo; said Mr. Sleighter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne, setting off with him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We needn't go into that now, I suppose,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I guess I am buttin' in&mdash;a thing I don't often do&mdash;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't know yet,&rdquo; replied Mr. Gwynne, declining to be confidential.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I think not. The fact is I'm about selling my farm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Selling it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I had an offer to-day which I am thinking of accepting.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;An offer, eh, from a feller named Martin, I suppose?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How did you know?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't know. I just figgered. Offered you about a hundred dollars, eh?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I wish he had. It's worth a hundred with the house and buildings&mdash;they
+      are good buildings.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say, I don't like to butt in on any man's business, but is the price a
+      secret?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, no; he offers four thousand, half cash.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And how much for the buildings?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Four thousand for everything, it's not enough but there are not many
+      buyers in this neighbourhood.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say, there's nothing rash about that feller. When do you close?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Must close to-morrow night. He has a chance of another place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, he has, eh? Big rush on, eh? Well, don't you close until I see you
+      some time to-morrow, partner.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Sleighter scented another salvage deal, his keen eyes gleamed a bit,
+      the firm lips were pressed a little more closely together.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And say,&rdquo; he said, turning back, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Guess I'll take a whirl out of the old boy,&rdquo; he said to himself. &ldquo;He's a
+      durn fool anyway and if I don't get his money some one else will.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In the afternoon he made his way to the store. &ldquo;Boss ain't in?&rdquo; he
+      inquired of the clerk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, he's at the house, I guess.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Back soon?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't know. Guess he's busy over there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seen Mr. Martin around?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, he was here a while ago. Said he would be in again later.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Sleighter greatly disliked the idea of doing business with Mr. Gwynne
+      at his own house. &ldquo;Can't do no business with his missis and kids around,&rdquo;
+       he said to himself. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      To his great relief he found Mr. Gwynne alone and without preliminaries,
+      and with the design of getting &ldquo;quick action&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;the hull plant, lock, stock and barrel,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why?&rdquo; enquired Mr. Sleighter in surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Want to screw him up, eh?&rdquo; said Mr. Sleighter, his lips drawing close
+      together.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo; Mr. Gwynne's voice had a little ring in it. &ldquo;I consider it
+      fairer to Mr. Martin.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't see as how he has much claim on you,&rdquo; replied Mr. Sleighter. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne stiffly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;Durn old fool,&rdquo; he
+      muttered to himself as he passed out of the room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The children were delighted with your description of your western home,&rdquo;
+       she said. &ldquo;The free life, the beautiful hills, the mountains in the
+      distance&mdash;it must indeed be a lovely country.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Sleighter was taken off his guard. &ldquo;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&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come in here and sit down, won't you, Mr. Sleighter?&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose the land is all taken up out there?&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, mostly, unless away back. Folks are comin' in all the time, but
+      there's still lots of cheap land around.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Cheap land, is there?&rdquo; inquired Mrs. Gwynne with a certain eagerness in
+      her voice. &ldquo;Indeed I should have thought that that beautiful land would be
+      very dear.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, bless your heart, no. I know good land going for six&mdash;seven&mdash;eight&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Gwynne turned her honest eyes upon him. &ldquo;Mr. Sleighter, I want to ask
+      your advice. I feel I can rely upon you [&ldquo;Durn it all, she's gettin' her
+      work in all right,&rdquo; 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.&rdquo; Mrs. Gwynne's voice became
+      hurried and anxious. &ldquo;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&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, ma'am, certainly not,&rdquo; said Mr. Sleighter in a loud voice, his hope
+      of securing &ldquo;quick action on that deal&rdquo; growing dim.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you happen to know any farm&mdash;a small farm&mdash;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&mdash;twelve
+      hundred and fifty dollars I think Mr. Gwynne said. We are most grateful to
+      you for that, Mr. Sleighter.&rdquo; Her eyes beamed on him in a most
+      disconcerting way. &ldquo;And so after our obligations here are met we might
+      have about forty-five hundred dollars clear. Could we do anything with
+      that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I donno, I donno,&rdquo; said Mr. Sleighter quickly and rising from his chair,
+      &ldquo;I will think it over. I have got to go now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At this moment Mr. Gwynne came into the room. &ldquo;Oh, I am glad you are not
+      gone, Mr. Sleighter. I have just told Mr. Martin that I cannot accept his
+      offer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Cannot accept, Michael!&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne, dismay in her voice and in her
+      eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I believe you said your offer was good until six, Mr. Sleighter?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo; Without
+      a farewell word to either of them Mr. Sleighter passed rapidly from the
+      room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do hope there's nothing wrong, Michael,&rdquo; said his wife. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't worry, mother. I have his offer for five thousand dollars. Of
+      course he is rather peculiar, I confess, but I believe&mdash;&rdquo; The door
+      opened abruptly upon them, admitting Mr. Sleighter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;See here, Mr. Gwynne, I can't do no business with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sir, you made me an offer for my farm,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne indignantly, &ldquo;and
+      I have just refused an offer from Mr. Martin on account of yours.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, we'll cut that all out,&rdquo; said Mr. Sleighter, whose voice and manner
+      indicated strong excitement. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; Mr. Gwynne nodded, gazing at him
+      in astonishment. &ldquo;You want to go West.&rdquo; Again Mr. Gwynne nodded. &ldquo;Well,
+      there's only one spot in the West&mdash;Alberta. You want a farm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, certainly,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sit down, Mr. Sleighter,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne. &ldquo;This is a rather surprising
+      proposition.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Gwynne's eyes grew soft. &ldquo;Michael, I think it is wonderful.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But Mr. Gwynne would not look at his wife. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, come off your perch,&rdquo; said Mr. Sleighter. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think we will take it, Mr. Sleighter,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne. &ldquo;Michael dear,
+      I feel Mr. Sleighter is right, and besides I know he is doing us a great
+      kindness.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Gwynne followed him to the door, her face flushed, her eyes aglow, a
+      smile hovering uncertainly about her lips. &ldquo;Mr. Sleighter,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;the
+      Lord sent you to us because He knew we were in need of guiding.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ho, ho!&rdquo; laughed Mr. Sleighter. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He sent you to us,&rdquo; repeated Mrs. Gwynne, offering him her hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I donno but that He steered me to you. But all the same I guess the
+      advantage is to me all right.&rdquo; Mr. Sleighter looked hard down the street,
+      then turned and faced her squarely. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are a good man, Mr. Sleighter,&rdquo; she said, looking at him with misty
+      eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A good man!&rdquo; Mr. Sleighter was seized with a cough. &ldquo;A good man! Good
+      Lord, ma'am! nobody never found it out but you&mdash;durn that cough
+      anyway.&rdquo; And still troubled by his cough, Mr. Sleighter hurried down the
+      path to the gate and out on to the road.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What about the pictures and curtains?&rdquo; inquired Mr. Gwynne. &ldquo;We don't
+      need them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take 'em all,&rdquo; said Mr. Sleighter. &ldquo;Pictures are like folks. They got
+      faces an' looks. And curtains&mdash;my missis got hers all packed.
+      Curtains are like clothes&mdash;they only fit them that owns them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And the piano?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sure thing. Say, a piano in that country is like the village pump&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      So the car was filled with things to eat and to wear, and things &ldquo;to take
+      the bareness off.&rdquo; Somewhere in the car was found a place for Rosie, the
+      cow, a remarkable milker and &ldquo;worth her weight in butter,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A'm goin' be in dat car' me, by gar!&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;Red River Jig,&rdquo; picked
+      up from his father, &ldquo;Money Musk&rdquo; and &ldquo;The Deil Amang the Tailors,&rdquo; the two
+      latter from Dan Monroe at the country dances.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;for that was the
+      stowaway's name&mdash;might retain his place in the car.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VI
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      JANE BROWN
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come in, Papa, I know you're hot,&rdquo; she said, love and reproach in her
+      face, &ldquo;because I was hot myself, and you will need a nice, cool drink. I
+      had one and yours is in here.&rdquo; She led him into the study, hovering about
+      him with little touches and pushes. &ldquo;You ought not to have taken so long a
+      round this morning,&rdquo; she said with gentle severity. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Awful?&rdquo; said the doctor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, very exceedingly then&mdash;and the kids were very tired and Miss
+      Mutton was as cross as anything.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was no wonder. How many kids were there for her to watch?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Papa, you said 'kids!'&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was just quoting my young daughter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And she said we were to get out this afternoon an hour earlier,&rdquo;
+       continued Jane, ignoring his criticism, &ldquo;and so I am going to take my
+      bicycle and go with Nora and the girls down to the freight sheds.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The freight sheds?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Larry and Joe have come in, and Rover and Rosie&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rosie, too? Very interesting indeed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What, Rosie too? How clever of her!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The child's laugh rang out joyously. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, well,&rdquo; said her father, greatly interested in this exciting but
+      somewhat confused tale. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now that I have a fairly clear conception of whom Larry, Joe, Sam, Rosie
+      and Rover are&mdash;I think I have them right&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Exactly, Papa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish to find out just who are to form the advance party, the scouting
+      party.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The scouting party? I don't know what you mean. But Nora&mdash;you know
+      Nora?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, the little black-eyed Irish Terrier&mdash;terror, I mean.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Papa, she's just lovely and she's my friend.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is she, dear, then I apologise, but indeed I meant nothing derogatory to
+      her. I greatly like her, she is so spunky.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, there's Nora, and Kathleen, Nora's sister.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Kathleen, the tall beautiful girl with the wonderful hair?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The little girl sighed. &ldquo;Oh, such lovely long yellow hair.&rdquo; The little
+      maid's hair was none of these. &ldquo;And she is not a bit proud&mdash;just
+      nice, you know&mdash;just as if she were not so lovely, but like&mdash;only
+      like me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Like you, indeed!&rdquo; exclaimed the doctor indignantly. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Prejudiced? Not a bit, not a bit.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, that's Kathleen and Nora, and&mdash;and perhaps Hazel&mdash;you
+      know Hazel, Papa, Hazel Sleighter?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The western girl&mdash;not at all wild and woolly though. A very modern
+      and very advanced young lady, isn't she?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, that's it. I thought perhaps the maturity of her age made it
+      necessary.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't know what maturevy means, but she is awfully old. She is going on
+      sixteen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dear me, as old as that?&rdquo; inquired her father.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is quite possible, indeed probable, my dear,&rdquo; assented her father.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Mr. Gwynne said he looked like a third-rate how-do-you-feel
+      performer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A what, exactly?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A how-do-you-feel performer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, a vaudeville performer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, do we?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Before he was fourteen!&rdquo; replied her father. &ldquo;Amazing!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have not seen her,&rdquo; said her father, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, you are right, my dear. Perhaps I should have said that a certain
+      kind of voice always goes with a beautiful soul.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know,&rdquo; replied his daughter. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And Mrs. Sleighter&mdash;can you coax Mrs. Sleighter?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, the girls just coax her and coax her, and though she doesn't
+      want to a bit, she just gives in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's nice of her. That must be very nice for the girls, eh?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I don't know, Papa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What? don't you think it is nice to be able to coax people to do what you
+      want?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, I see.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; you see, you're never really quite sure after you get it whether you
+      ought to get it after all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see,&rdquo; said her father; &ldquo;that rather spoils it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but you never do that, Papa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you can't coax me, eh? I am glad to know that. I was afraid, rather.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, of course, I can coax you, Papa, but you usually find some other
+      way, and then I know it is quite right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish I was quite as sure of that, Jane. But you are going to bring
+      Larry home with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, certainly, we might just as well. You might perhaps mention it to
+      Anna.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I did, Papa, and she said she would have it all ready.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So it is all arranged. I was thinking&mdash;but never mind.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; replied her father hurriedly. &ldquo;You were quite right, Jane.
+      And with those two rooms, why not bring them all, Joe and Pete&mdash;Pete,
+      is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;I am a little afraid of Sam. We don't know him very
+      well, you see.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see. We are quite safe in your hands, little woman. You can do just as
+      you and Mrs. Gwynne arrange.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As the father watched the little, trim, sturdy figure stepping down the
+      street he muttered to himself, &ldquo;That child grows more like her mother
+      every day.&rdquo; He heaved a great sigh from the depths of his heart. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; But he shrugged his shoulders and smiled at himself. &ldquo;The worst of
+      it is, or the best of it is,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;the little witch is almost
+      always right, God bless her, just like her mother, just like her mother.&rdquo;
+       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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello, there, here you are,&rdquo; he shouted to Sam, holding up his hands for
+      a catch.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let's have a knock-up,&rdquo; he said, hitting a long fly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say, you're a crackerjack,&rdquo; said Tom; &ldquo;here's another.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So this is Larry.&rdquo; said Miss Hazel Sleighter, greeting him with a
+      dazzling smile. &ldquo;We have heard a lot about you. I think you must be quite
+      wonderful. Come here, Tom, and meet your friends.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can you play ball?&rdquo; asked Tom.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not much,&rdquo; replied Larry; &ldquo;not like Sam. Come here, Sam,&rdquo; he called,
+      remembering that he had not introduced his friend. Sam shuffled over with
+      an air of complete nonchalance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is Sam,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;Sam&mdash;I have forgotten your name.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nolan,&rdquo; said Sam shortly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Miss Hazel Sleighter,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you do, Miss Hazel,&rdquo; said Sam, sweeping her an elaborate bow, and
+      then gazing boldly into her eyes. &ldquo;I hope you're well. If you're as smart
+      as you look, I guess you're way up in G.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am quite well, thank you,&rdquo; returned Miss Hazel, the angle of her chin
+      indicating her most haughty air.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say, young lady, pass up the chilly stuff,&rdquo; replied Sam with a laugh. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Hazel turned a disgusted shoulder on Sam's impudent face and engaged Larry
+      in vivacious conversation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I am off to the ball practice,&rdquo; said Tom. &ldquo;Got a match on Saturday&mdash;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?&rdquo;
+       continued Tom, addressing Larry. &ldquo;What do you play&mdash;football?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not much; never tried much,&rdquo; said Larry, flushing over his lack of
+      sporting qualifications.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He plays the fiddle,&rdquo; said a quiet little voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry, flushing violently, turned around and saw a little, brown-faced
+      maid gazing thoughtfully at him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, he does, eh? Ha, ha, ha. Good game, eh? Ha, ha, ha.&rdquo; They all joined
+      in the laugh.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And he plays the mouth organ, too, and does funny stunts,&rdquo; sturdily
+      continued the little girl, disdaining Tom's scornful laughter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good for you, Jane.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and he passed his entrance to the High School a year ago when he was
+      fourteen, in Ontario, anyway.&rdquo; This appeared to check Tom's hilarity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My, what a wonder he is! And did he tell you all this himself?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, indeed,&rdquo; said Jane indignantly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I am glad to hear that,&rdquo; said Tom with a grin. &ldquo;Won't you come along,
+      Sam? It's only a little way down.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right,&rdquo; said Sam cheerfully. &ldquo;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&mdash;ta-ta;
+      tinga-ling; honk honk.&rdquo; Again he swept Miss Hazel an elaborate bow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thinks he's smart,&rdquo; said that young lady, lifting her nose. &ldquo;He's a
+      regular scarecrow. Who in the world is he and where did he come from?&rdquo; she
+      demanded of Larry, who proceeded to account for Sam's presence with their
+      party.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I might have known,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;He would never come to a stranger's house
+      in his old clothes. I will just bring down his best suit after tea.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you know, Papa,&rdquo; said the little maid, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, did you,&rdquo; said her father, &ldquo;and how did Master Tom take that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He didn't laugh quite as much. I don't think I like him very much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But Hazel, she was just lovely to Larry. I think she's nice, Papa, and
+      such lovely cheeks and hair.&rdquo; Here Jane sighed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, has she? She is quite a grown-up young lady, is she not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She has her hair up, Papa. She's sixteen, you know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I remember you told me that she had reached that mature age.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I think Larry liked her, too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah? And why do you think so?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He just looked at her, and looked, and looked.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, that seems fairly good evidence.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And he is coming up here to-night when we bring him his good clothes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you are to bring him his good clothes, are you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Mrs. Gwynne and I are taking them down in the carriage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, in the carriage&mdash;Mrs. Gwynne&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, you know&mdash;Oh, here's Nora at the door. Excuse me, Papa. I am
+      sure it is important.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      She ran to the door and in a moment or two returned with a note. &ldquo;It's for
+      you, Papa, and I know it's about the carriage.&rdquo; She watched her father
+      somewhat anxiously as he read the note.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane nodded delightedly. &ldquo;I know, Papa. I told her that already. But I'll
+      tell her this is the answer to the note.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I'll be glad when we get to our own place again,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I hate to be
+      beholden to anybody. We're as good as any of them anyway.&rdquo; The bitterness
+      in his tone mystified her still more.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was little Jane who supplied the key to the mystery. &ldquo;I don't think he
+      likes Tom very much,&rdquo; said the little girl. &ldquo;He likes Hazel, though. But
+      he might have come to our house; I did not laugh.&rdquo; And then the mother
+      thought she understood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;He's just like his father,&rdquo; she said to
+      herself. &ldquo;He likes to be independent.&rdquo; Strict honesty in thought made her
+      add, &ldquo;And like me, too, I fear.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;red
+      all over. Her pink parasol intensified the glow upon her face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What a fool I was to come, in this awful heat,&rdquo; she said to herself.
+      &ldquo;They won't be here for hours, and I will be just like a wash-rag.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;Hello,&rdquo; as she floated by intent on bigger game.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She won't look at him to-day,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;She's just waiting for the boys
+      to come. She'll be nicer then.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;They won't be long now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A fury possessed the boy. &ldquo;Oh shut your mouth, will you?&rdquo; he said, glaring
+      at her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;I believe he has a pain. I am sure he
+      has a pain.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry sprang to his feet, and without a glance at his anxious tormentor
+      said, &ldquo;Come on, Joe, let's go for a hunt in the woods.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane looked wistfully after the departing boys. &ldquo;I wish they would ask us,
+      Nora. Don't you? I think he is nice when he isn't mad,&rdquo; she said. To which
+      Nora firmly assented.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello, Jane; in your usual place, I see!&rdquo; he called out to her as he
+      passed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello, Frank!&rdquo; she called to him brightly. &ldquo;Frank! Frank!&rdquo; she cried,
+      after the young man had passed, springing up and running after him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am in a hurry, Jane; I must get a man for left field.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Frank,&rdquo; she said, catching his arm, for young Smart was a great
+      friend of hers and of her father's. &ldquo;I want to tell you. You see that
+      funny boy under the tree,&rdquo; she continued, lowering her voice. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Young Smart looked at her curiously. &ldquo;Say, little girl, you're a sport.
+      And is he a good player?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, he's splendid, but he's queer&mdash;I mean he looks queer. He's
+      awfully funny. But that doesn't matter, does it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not a hair, if he can play ball. What's his name?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sam&mdash;something.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sam Something? That is a funny name.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you know, Sam. I don't know his other name.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I'll try him, Jane,&rdquo; said young Smart, moving toward the boy and
+      followed by the eager eyes of the little girl.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Sam,&rdquo; said Smart, &ldquo;we want a man for left field. Will you take a
+      go at it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Too hot,&rdquo; grunted Sam.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aw, what yer givin' us. I guess I can give them ginks a few pointers.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, come on.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Too hot,&rdquo; said Sam.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane pulled young Smart by the sleeve. &ldquo;Tell him you will give him a
+      jersey,&rdquo; she said in a low voice. &ldquo;His shirt is torn.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Again young Smart looked at Jane with scrutinising eyes. &ldquo;You're a
+      wonder,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello, Larry!&rdquo; It was Jane seated beside her father in his car.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello!&rdquo; he answered faintly and just glanced at her as the car passed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But soon the car pulled up. &ldquo;Come on, Larry, we'll take you home,&rdquo; said
+      Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I'm all right,&rdquo; said Larry, forcing his lips into his old smile and
+      resolutely plodding on.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Better come up, my boy,&rdquo; said the doctor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't mind walking, sir,&rdquo; replied Larry, stubbornly determined to go
+      his lonely way.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come here, boy,&rdquo; said the doctor, regarding him keenly. Larry came over
+      to the wheel. &ldquo;Why, boy, what is the matter?&rdquo; The doctor took hold of his
+      hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry gripped the wheel hard. He was feeling desperately ill and unsteady
+      on his legs, but still his lips twisted themselves into a smile. &ldquo;I'm all
+      right, sir,&rdquo; he said; &ldquo;I've got a headache and it was pretty hot out
+      there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;Get in, lad,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will come in with us, my boy,&rdquo; said the doctor as they reached his
+      door.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;Tell my mother,&rdquo; 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, &ldquo;Jane.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; cried the little girl rapturously. &ldquo;Oh, Larry, wait.&rdquo; She slipped
+      from the room and returned in a moment with his mother, who quickly came
+      to his side.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are rested, dear,&rdquo; she said, putting her hand under his head. &ldquo;Drink
+      this. No, don't lift your head. Now then, go to sleep again, darling,&rdquo;
+       and, stooping down, she kissed him softly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why&mdash;are&mdash;you&mdash;crying?&rdquo; he asked faintly. &ldquo;What's the&mdash;matter?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nothing, darling; you are better. Just sleep.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Better?&mdash;Have&mdash;I&mdash;been&mdash;sick?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, you have been sick,&rdquo; said his mother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Awfully sick,&rdquo; said Jane solemnly. &ldquo;A whole week sick. But you are all
+      right now,&rdquo; she added brightly, &ldquo;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&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now he will sleep, Jane,&rdquo; said his mother, gently touching the little
+      girl's brown tangle of hair.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, he will sleep; oh, I'm just awful thankful,&rdquo; said Jane, suddenly
+      rushing out of the room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dear little girl,&rdquo; said the mother. &ldquo;She has been so anxious and so
+      helpful&mdash;a wonderful little nurse.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Larry, I think you are queer,&rdquo; said Jane to him gravely one day. &ldquo;You are
+      not a bit like you were in the car.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A quick flush appeared on the boy's face. &ldquo;I guess I was queer that day,
+      Jane,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I know I felt queer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, that's it,&rdquo; said Jane, delighted by some sudden recollection. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry, smiling at her, replied, &ldquo;I'll never be cross with you, Jane,
+      anyway, never again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE GIRL OF THE WOOD LOT
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There! Can you beat that? If so, where?&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There!&rdquo; she cried again, &ldquo;tell me, can you beat it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Glorious! Sybil, utterly and splendidly glorious!&rdquo; said her brother, his
+      eyes sweeping the picture below. &ldquo;And you too, Sybil,&rdquo; he said, turning
+      his eyes upon her. &ldquo;This country has done you well. By jove, what a
+      transformation from the white-faced, willowy&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Weedy,&rdquo; said she.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, as it's no longer true, weedy&mdash;woman that faded out of London,
+      how many&mdash;eight years ago!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ten years, ten long, glorious, splendid years.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ten years! Surely not ten!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, ten beautiful years.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish to God I had come with you then. I might have been&mdash;well, I
+      should have been saved some bumps and a ghastly cropper at last.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'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?&rdquo; Again she
+      swept her hand toward the scene below her. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;how could
+      you stick it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;Oh! that man has been perfectly splendid. Jack! He's
+      been&mdash;well, I can't tell you all he has been to me&mdash;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!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;so spacious, so varied, so majestic.
+      Ah, I love it, and the country has been good to me!
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't mean physically only, but in every way&mdash;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&mdash;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!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Her brother laughed. &ldquo;Pardon me,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know. I know. It is perfectly splendid of them. You know we Canadians
+      are quite foolish about our country.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;WE Canadians!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You heard all about it? I hope not. I hope you have not heard of the
+      awful mess I made of things.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My God! Sybil, you sound like Lloyd George himself! Please don't recall
+      that ghastly radicalism to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, well, perhaps sometime later. They all sound rather terribly
+      industrious and efficient for a mere slacker like myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Along the trail they galloped, following the dogs for a mile or so until
+      checked by a full flowing stream.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Willow Creek is really quite in flood,&rdquo; said his sister. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say,&rdquo; said her brother, as his horse clambered out of the swollen
+      stream. &ldquo;That's rather a close thing to a ducking. Awfully like the veldt
+      streams, you know. Ice cold, too, I fancy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I hope it is not too far, for I assure you I am getting quite
+      ravenous.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, come along, there's a good trail here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A smart canter brought them to a rather pretentious homestead with
+      considerable barns and outbuildings attached. &ldquo;This is the Switzers'
+      place,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;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&mdash;village lots and farm
+      lands, you know. He is an excellent farmer and ambitious for his family&mdash;one
+      son and one daughter. They are quite plain people. They live like&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why know them at all?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There you are!&rdquo; cried his sister. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Heavens above! who is that, Sybil?&rdquo; gasped her brother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Waring-Gaunt gave a delighted little cry. &ldquo;Oh, my dear, you are
+      really back.&rdquo; In a moment she was off her horse and rushing toward the
+      girl with her arms outstretched. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear child,&rdquo; again exclaimed Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, &ldquo;I declare you have
+      actually grown taller and grown&mdash;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The girl flushed with a quick emotion. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; She waved her hand to the
+      forest about her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And who are up here to-day, and what are you doing?&rdquo; inquired Mrs.
+      Waring-Gaunt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In the meantime I am preparing dinner,&rdquo; said the girl with a laugh.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dinner!&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;Dinner! It smells so good and we are
+      desperately hungry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; cried Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;My brother declared he was quite faint
+      more than an hour ago, and now I am sure he is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Fairly ravenous.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I don't know,&rdquo; said the girl with serious anxiety on her face. &ldquo;You
+      see, we have only pork and fried potatoes, and Nora just shot a chicken&mdash;only
+      one&mdash;and they are always so hungry. But we have plenty of bread and
+      tea. Would you stay?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It sounds really very nice,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would be awfully jolly of you, and I promise not to eat too much,&rdquo;
+       said the young man. &ldquo;I am actually faint with hunger, and a cup of tea
+      appears necessary to revive me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course, stay,&rdquo; said the girl with quick sympathy. &ldquo;We can't give you
+      much, but we can give you something.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh&mdash;&mdash;ho!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;O-h-o-o-o-h! O-h-o-o-o-h!&rdquo; A loud call came from the woods.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There's Nora,&rdquo; said Kathleen. &ldquo;O-o-o-o-o-h! O-o-o-o-o-h!&rdquo; The girl's
+      answering call was like the winding of a silver horn. &ldquo;Here she is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;Hello, Kathleen, dinner ready? I'm
+      famished. Oh, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, glad to see you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And my brother, Nora, Mr. Jack Romayne, just come from England, and
+      hungry as a bear.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just from England? And hungry? Well, we are glad to see you, Mr.
+      Romayne.&rdquo; The girl came forward with a quick step and frankly offered her
+      brown, strong hand. &ldquo;We're awfully glad to see you, Mr. Romayne,&rdquo; she
+      repeated. &ldquo;I ought to be embarrassed, I know, only I am so hungry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just my fix, Miss Nora,&rdquo; said the young man. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't!&rdquo; cried the girl, &ldquo;or rather, do, and stay. There's enough of
+      something, and Joe will look after the horses.&rdquo; She put her hands to her
+      lips and called, &ldquo;J-o-o-e!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A voice from the woods answered her, followed by Joe himself. &ldquo;Here, Joe,
+      take the horses and unsaddle them and tether them out somewhere.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Despite Kathleen's fears there was dinner enough for all.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is perfectly stunning!&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;Gorgeous, by Jove! Words
+      are futile things for really great moments.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ripping,&rdquo; said Nora, smiling impudently into his face. &ldquo;Awfully jolly!
+      A-1! Top hole! That's the lot, I think, according to the best authorities.
+      Do you know any others?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I beg pardon, what?&rdquo; said Romayne, looking up from his fried pork and
+      potatoes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Those are all I have learned in English at least,&rdquo; said Nora. &ldquo;I am keen
+      for some more. They are Oxford, I believe. Have you any others?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Romayne diverted his attention from his dinner. &ldquo;What is she talking
+      about, Miss Gwynne? I confess to be entirely absorbed in these fried
+      potatoes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Words, words, Mr. Romayne, vocabulary, adjectives,&rdquo; replied Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; said Romayne, &ldquo;but why should one worry about words, especially
+      adjectives, when one has such divine realities as these to deal with?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have some muffles, Mr. Romayne,&rdquo; said Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Muffles? Now what may muffles be?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Muffles are a cross between muffins and waffles.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Please elucidate their nature and origin,&rdquo; said Mr. Romayne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let me show you,&rdquo; said Kathleen. She sprang up, dived into the cabin and
+      returned with a large, round, hard biscuit in her hand. &ldquo;This is Hudson
+      Bay hard tack, the stand-by of all western people&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Marvellous!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Romayne, &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dump!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Romayne faintly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. The bank there where you dump the logs into the creek below.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But what exactly has Miss Nora to do with all this?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I?&rdquo; enquired Nora, &ldquo;I only boss the job.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't you believe her,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;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?&rdquo; continued Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;She
+      can run a farm, with garden, pigs and poultry thrown in; open a coal mine
+      and&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nonsense!&rdquo; exclaimed Nora, &ldquo;the boys here do it all. Mother furnishes the
+      head work.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Nora!&rdquo; protested Kathleen, &ldquo;you know you manage everything. Isn't
+      that true, boys?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She's the hull works herself,&rdquo; said Sam. &ldquo;Ain't she, Joe?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You bet yeh,&rdquo; said Joe, husky with the muffles.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She's a corker,&rdquo; continued Sam, &ldquo;double compressed, compensating, forty
+      horsepower, ain't she, Joe?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You bet yeh!&rdquo; adding, for purpose of emphasis, &ldquo;By gar!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Six cylinder, self-starter,&rdquo; continued Sam with increasing enthusiasm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Self-starter,&rdquo; echoed Joe, going off into a series of choking chuckles.
+      &ldquo;Sure t'ing, by gar!&rdquo; Joe, having safely disposed of the muffles, gave
+      himself up to unrestrained laughter, throwing back his head, slapping his
+      knees and repeating at intervals, &ldquo;Self-starter, by gar!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      So infectious was his laughter that the whole company joined in.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Cut it out, boys,&rdquo; said Nora. &ldquo;You are all talking rot, you know; and
+      what about you,&rdquo; she added, turning swiftly upon her sister. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Nora,&rdquo; protested Kathleen, the colour rising in her face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you make your own costume?&rdquo; inquired Mr. Romayne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She did that,&rdquo; said Nora, &ldquo;and mine and mother's, and she makes father's
+      working shirts.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Nora, stop, please. You know I do very little.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She makes the butter as well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They're a pair,&rdquo; said Sam in a low growl, but perfectly audible to the
+      company, &ldquo;a regular pair, eh, Joe?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sure t'ing,&rdquo; replied Joe, threatening to go off again into laughter, but
+      held in check by a glance from Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;May I help?&rdquo; inquired Mr. Romayne, when the others had gone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, no,&rdquo; replied Kathleen. &ldquo;Just rest where you are, please; just take it
+      easy; I'd really rather you would, and there's nothing to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not an expert at this sort of thing,&rdquo; said Mr. Romayne, &ldquo;but at
+      least I can dry dishes. I learned that much on the veldt.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In South Africa? You were in the war?&rdquo; replied Kathleen, giving him a
+      towel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I had a go at it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It must have been terrible&mdash;to think of actually killing men.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is not pleasant,&rdquo; replied Romayne, shrugging his shoulders, &ldquo;but it
+      has to be done sometimes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, do you think so? It does not seem as if it should be necessary at any
+      time,&rdquo; said the girl with great earnestness. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Romayne, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But that's just it,&rdquo; cried the girl. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don't wish to discuss this with me?&rdquo; said Kathleen. &ldquo;I am sorry, for
+      I have always wished to hear a soldier who is also&rdquo;&mdash;the girl
+      hesitated for a moment&mdash;&ldquo;a gentleman and a Christian&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, Miss Gwynne,&rdquo; said Romayne, with quiet earnestness.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Discuss the reasons why war is ever necessary.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is a very big subject,&rdquo; said Mr. Romayne, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see your point,&rdquo; replied Kathleen, &ldquo;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,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;and
+      you do not wish to discuss this just now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some time, Miss Gwynne, we shall have this out, and I have some
+      literature on the subject that I should like to give you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And so have I,&rdquo; cried the girl, with a smile that rendered Mr. Romayne
+      for some moments quite incapable of consecutive thought. &ldquo;And now shall we
+      look up the others?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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
+      &ldquo;dump&rdquo; into the stream below. Mrs. Waring-Gaunt and Nora were seated on a
+      log beside them engaged in talk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;May I inquire if you are bossing the job as usual?&rdquo; said Mr. Romayne,
+      after he had watched the operation for a few moments.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, no, there's no bossing going on to-day. But,&rdquo; said the girl, &ldquo;I
+      rather think the boys like to have me around.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't wonder,&rdquo; said Mr. Romayne, enthusiastically.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you making fun of me, Mr. Romayne?&rdquo; said the girl, her face
+      indicating that she was prepared for battle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;God forbid,&rdquo; replied Mr. Romayne, fervently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not a bit of it, Nora dear,&rdquo; said his sister. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite true,&rdquo; replied her brother. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Nora glanced at him suspiciously. &ldquo;You talk well,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I half
+      believe you're just making fun of us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not a bit, Nora, not a bit,&rdquo; said his sister. &ldquo;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,&rdquo; she said, turning to
+      Kathleen. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, indeed,&rdquo; added the young man. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What question is that,&rdquo; inquired his sister, &ldquo;if I may ask?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, the old question,&rdquo; said her brother, &ldquo;the eternal question&mdash;war.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose,&rdquo; said Nora, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not so sure of that,&rdquo; replied the young man. &ldquo;We have not finished
+      it out yet. I feel confident, however, that we shall come to an agreement
+      on it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope not,&rdquo; replied Nora, &ldquo;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&mdash;Daddy and I opposed
+      to the rest. And you know pacifists have this characteristic, that they
+      are always ready to fight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said her sister. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It's Ernest Switzer,&rdquo; cried Kathleen. &ldquo;I have not seen him for ever so
+      long. How splendidly he is looking! Hello, Ernest!&rdquo; she cried, waving her
+      hand and running forward to meet him, followed by the critical eyes of
+      Jack Romayne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The young man came hurrying toward her. &ldquo;Kathleen!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;Is it
+      really you?&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You know Mrs. Waring-Gaunt,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have been keeping the logs running, Ernest, I see. That is very good
+      of you,&rdquo; said Kathleen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, there was the beginning of a nice little jamb here,&rdquo; said Switzer.
+      &ldquo;They are running right enough now. But when did you return?&rdquo; he
+      continued, dropping into a confidential tone and turning his back upon the
+      others. &ldquo;Do you know I have not seen you for nine months?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nine months?&rdquo; said Kathleen. &ldquo;I was away seven months.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but I was away two months before you went. You forget that,&rdquo; he
+      added reproachfully. &ldquo;But I do not forget. Nine months&mdash;nine long
+      months. And are you glad to be back, Kathleen, glad to see all your
+      friends again, glad to see me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you did not come in to see us as you passed,&rdquo; gazing at her with
+      reproachful eyes and edging her still further away from the others.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, we intended to come in on our way back.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let's move on,&rdquo; said Romayne to his sister.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We must be going, Kathleen dear,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;You will soon
+      be coming to see us?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, indeed, you may be sure. It is so good to see you,&rdquo; replied the girl
+      warmly, as Mrs. Waring-Gaunt kissed her good-bye. &ldquo;Good-bye, Mr. Romayne;
+      we must finish our discussion another time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Always at your service,&rdquo; replied Mr. Romayne, &ldquo;although I am rather
+      afraid of you. Thank you again for your hospitality. Good-bye.&rdquo; He held
+      her hand, looking down into the blue depths of her eyes until as before
+      the crimson in her face recalled him. &ldquo;Good-bye. This has been a wonderful
+      day to me.&rdquo; He mounted his horse, lifted his hat, and rode off after his
+      sister.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What sort of a chap is the Johnnie?&rdquo; said Jack to his sister as they rode
+      away.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seems to own that girl, eh?&rdquo; said Jack, glancing back over his shoulder
+      at the pair.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, the two families are quite intimate. Ernest and his sister were in
+      Larry's musical organisations and they are quite good friends.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;By Jove, Sybil, she is wonderful! Why didn't you give me a hint?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did. But really, she has come on amazingly. That college in Winnipeg&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, college! It is not a question of college!&rdquo; said her brother
+      impatiently. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She has changed indeed,&rdquo; said his sister. &ldquo;She is a lovely girl and so
+      simple and unaffected. I have come really to love her. We must see a lot
+      of her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said her brother with a laugh, &ldquo;I foresee myself falling in love
+      with that girl in the most approved style.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You might do worse,&rdquo; replied his sister, &ldquo;though I doubt if you are not
+      too late.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why? That German Johnnie?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, good Lord, Sybil, he's a German!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A German,&rdquo; said his sister, &ldquo;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&mdash;Germans, French,
+      Swedes, Galicians, Russians&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;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&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, Jack, how you talk! You are actually excited.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Jack, this seems to me quite outrageous.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jack, I cannot, frankly, I cannot agree with you in regard to young
+      Switzer. I know him fairly well and&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let's not talk about it, Sybil,&rdquo; said her brother, quietly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, all right, Jack.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My God, it would be a crime!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Whatever do you mean, Jack?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To allow that brute to get possession of that lovely girl.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Jack,&rdquo; persisted his sister. &ldquo;Brute?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Jack!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It ought to be stopped.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, stop it then.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish to God I could,&rdquo; said her brother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VIII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      YOU FORGOT ME
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      The Lakeside House, substantially built of logs, with &ldquo;frame&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;that of ways and means.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell you what, Mummie,&rdquo; droned Nora, lazily extending her lithe young
+      body to its utmost limits, &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear Nora,&rdquo; gently chided her mother, &ldquo;I wish you would not talk in
+      that way. It is not quite nice. In my young days&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We never talked about those things, my dear,&rdquo; said her mother, shaking
+      her head at her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You didn't need to, Mother.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, if it comes to that, Nora,&rdquo; said her sister, &ldquo;I don't think you
+      need to, very much, either. You have only got to look at&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Halt!&rdquo; cried Nora, springing to her feet. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear,&rdquo; said her mother with gentle reproach, &ldquo;your father says
+      machinery is cheaper than men and we really cannot do without machines.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied her mother, &ldquo;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,&rdquo; continued the mother. &ldquo;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&mdash;&rdquo; Here her voice trembled a
+      little.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nora dropped quickly to her knees, taking her mother in her arms. &ldquo;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&mdash;I could have killed those
+      boys&mdash;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think it was splendid, just splendid, Nora,&rdquo; cried Kathleen, swiftly
+      wiping away her tears. &ldquo;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&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello!&rdquo; cried a voice at the door. &ldquo;Who gave up his money and to whom and
+      is there any more around?&rdquo; His eye glanced around the group. &ldquo;What's up,
+      people? Mummie, are these girls behaving badly? Let me catch them at it!&rdquo;
+       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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who gave his money? I insist upon knowing. No reply, eh? I have evidently
+      come upon a deep and deadly plot. Mother?&mdash;no use asking you.
+      Kathleen, out with it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You gave your money,&rdquo; burst forth Nora in a kind of passion as she flew
+      at him, &ldquo;and everything else. But now that's all over. You are going to
+      finish your college course this year, that's what.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, that's it, eh? I knew there was some women's scheme afloat. Well,
+      children,&rdquo; said the youth, waving his hand over them in paternal
+      benediction, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You shan't,&rdquo; shouted Nora, seizing him by the arm and shaking him with
+      all the strength of her vigorous young body.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Larry, dear!&rdquo; said his mother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Larry!&rdquo; exclaimed Kathleen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We shall then be able to pay off all our indebtedness,&rdquo; continued Larry,
+      ignoring their protests, &ldquo;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.&rdquo; He waved his hand toward
+      his mother. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And me,&rdquo; said Nora, &ldquo;what does your high mightiness plan for me this
+      winter, pray?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not quite so much truculence, young lady,&rdquo; replied her brother. &ldquo;For you,
+      the wide, wide world, a visit to the seat of light and learning already
+      referred to, namely, Winnipeg.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      For one single moment Nora looked at him. Then, throwing back her head,
+      she said with unsteady voice: &ldquo;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&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think, dear,&rdquo; said the mother, looking at her son, &ldquo;Nora is right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, Mother,&rdquo; exclaimed Larry, &ldquo;I don't like to hear your foot come down
+      just yet. I know that tone of finality, but listen&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have listened,&rdquo; said Kathleen, &ldquo;and we know we are right. I shall take
+      the school, Mr. Farwell&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Farwell, eh?&mdash;&rdquo; exclaimed Nora significantly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Farwell has promised me,&rdquo; continued Kathleen, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Settled!&rdquo; cried her brother. &ldquo;You are all terribly settling. It seems to
+      me that you apparently forget&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Once more the mother interposed. &ldquo;Larry, dear, Kathleen has put it very
+      well. Your father and I have talked it over&rdquo;&mdash;the young people
+      glanced at each other and smiled at this ancient and well-worn phrase&mdash;&ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Mother, listen&mdash;&rdquo; began Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nonsense, Larry, 'children, obey your parents' is still valid,&rdquo; said
+      Nora. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; Abruptly she paused, rushed at
+      him, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him. &ldquo;You darling old
+      humbug,&rdquo; she said with a very unsteady voice. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; wait until I change.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, I will saddle up. You coming, Larry?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I'll catch up later.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, Mother,&rdquo; warned Nora, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She needs a change after her years of hard work.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; One never
+      knew what would happen in the case of girls.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His mother sighed. &ldquo;Poor Nora, she has had discipline enough of a kind,
+      and hard discipline it has been indeed for you all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A hard time!&rdquo; exclaimed his mother. &ldquo;I, a hard time, and with you all
+      here beside me, and all so well and strong? What more could I want?&rdquo; The
+      amazed surprise in her face stirred in her son a quick rush of emotion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Mother, Mother, Mother,&rdquo; he whispered in her ear. &ldquo;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,&rdquo;&mdash;here the boy's voice broke with an indignant
+      passion&mdash;&ldquo;blue with the cold when you could not get furs to protect
+      them? Never, never shall I forget those days.&rdquo; The boy stopped abruptly,
+      unable to go on.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Quickly the mother drew her son toward her. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Larry, I promise,&rdquo; said his mother. &ldquo;Now run after the girls, and I
+      shall have tea ready for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello, Ernest; whither bound? How are you, Dorothea?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Home,&rdquo; said the young man, &ldquo;and you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Going up by the timber lot, around by the cool road. The girls are on
+      before.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, so?&rdquo; said the young man, evidently waiting for an invitation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you care to come? It's not much longer that way,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I might,&rdquo; said the young man. Then looking doubtfully at his sister, &ldquo;You
+      cannot come very well, Dorothea, can you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, that is, I'm afraid not,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There are the cows, you know,&rdquo; continued her brother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, there are the cows,&rdquo; her face clouding as she spoke.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, rot!&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;you don't milk until evening, and we get back
+      before tea. Come along.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Still the girl hesitated. &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said her brother brusquely, &ldquo;do you want
+      to come?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      She glanced timidly at his rather set face and then at Larry. &ldquo;I don't
+      know. I am afraid that&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ernest help! Oh, no!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not on your life!&rdquo; said that young man. &ldquo;I never milk. I haven't for
+      years. Well, come along then,&rdquo; he added in a grudging voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is fine,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, never,&rdquo; said Dorothea.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Our men don't do women's work,&rdquo; said Ernest. &ldquo;It is not the German way.
+      It is not fitting.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And what about women doing men's work?&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;It seems to me I
+      have seen German women at work in the fields up in the Settlement.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have no doubt you have,&rdquo; replied Ernest stiffly. &ldquo;It is the German
+      custom.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You make me tired,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;the German custom indeed! Does that make
+      it right?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For us, yes,&rdquo; replied Ernest calmly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you are Canadians, are you not? Are there to be different standards
+      in Canada for different nationalities?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo; He touched his
+      splendid broncho into a sharp gallop, the other horses following more
+      slowly behind.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is very German, my brother,&rdquo; said Dorothea. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; Her blue eyes flashed fire
+      and her usually timid voice vibrated with an intense feeling. Larry gazed
+      at her in astonishment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may look at me, Larry,&rdquo; she cried. &ldquo;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&mdash;because&mdash;they
+      have calves&mdash;I mean the cows&mdash;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&mdash;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!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, how could you know? Who would tell you? Not Ernest,&rdquo; she replied
+      bitterly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Dorothea, you are happy, are you not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;he is an officer, you know&mdash;and the way he treated our
+      mother and me!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Treated your mother! Surely he is not unkind to your mother?&rdquo; Larry had a
+      vision of a meek, round-faced, kindly, contented woman, who was obviously
+      proud of her only son.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Kind, kind,&rdquo; cried Dorothea, &ldquo;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,&rdquo; she added, apparently taking a sudden resolve. &ldquo;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&mdash;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&mdash;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&rdquo;&mdash;here
+      the girl paused abruptly, a vivid colour dyeing her fair skin&mdash;&ldquo;like
+      your wife. I would die sooner than marry a German man.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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,&rdquo; she added breathlessly. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; The girl's usually red face was
+      pale, her voice was hoarse and trembling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is the matter, Dorothea? Of course I won't tell.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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,&rdquo; she added in a lower voice, &ldquo;yours
+      too. But remember you are not to tell. You are not to let him know I told
+      you.&rdquo; A real terror shone in her eyes. &ldquo;Do you hear me?&rdquo; she cried. &ldquo;He
+      would beat me with his whip. He would, he would.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Beat you, beat you?&rdquo; Larry pulled up his horse short. &ldquo;Beat you in this
+      country&mdash;oh, Dorothea!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo; she
+      urged.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you think I am, Dorothea? And as for beating you, let me catch
+      him. By George, I'd, I'd&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What?&rdquo; said Dorothea, turning her eyes full upon him, her pale face
+      flushing.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry laughed. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;She is not worrying over anything,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you people are slow,&rdquo; cried Nora. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let's go around,&rdquo; cried Kathleen. &ldquo;Do you know I have not been around for
+      ever so long?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;let's go around by Nora's mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nora's mine!&rdquo; exclaimed Ernest. &ldquo;Do you know I've heard about that mine a
+      great deal but I have never seen Nora's mine?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come along, then,&rdquo; said Nora, &ldquo;but there's almost no trail and we shall
+      have to hurry while we can. There's only a cow track.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Move along then,&rdquo; said her brother; &ldquo;show us the way and we will follow.
+      Go on, Ernest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where now, boss?&rdquo; cried Larry to Nora, who from her superior knowledge of
+      the ground, had been leading the party.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is something new,&rdquo; answered Nora. &ldquo;I think we should cross the water
+      and try to break through to the left around the top of the tree.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Ernest, &ldquo;the right looks better to me, around the root here. It
+      is something of a scramble, but it is better than the left.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come along,&rdquo; said Nora; &ldquo;this is the way of the trail, and we can get
+      through the brush of that top all right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am for the right. Come, let's try it, Kathleen, shall we?&rdquo; said Ernest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Kathleen hesitated. &ldquo;Come, we'll beat them out. Right turn, march.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, that was splendidly done. You are a good horsewoman,&rdquo; said Ernest.
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear old Kitty is not very quick nor very beautiful, but she is very
+      faithful, and so kind,&rdquo; said Kathleen, reaching down and patting her mare
+      on the nose. &ldquo;Shall we go on?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We need not hurry,&rdquo; replied her companion. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry,&rdquo; said Kathleen, hurrying her horse a little. &ldquo;We happened to
+      be out every time you called.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Other people have seen you,&rdquo; continued the young man with a note almost
+      of anger in his voice. &ldquo;Everywhere I hear of you, but I cannot see you. At
+      church&mdash;I go to church to see you&mdash;but that, that Englishman is
+      with you. He walks with you, you go in his motor car, he is in your house
+      every day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you talking about, Ernest? Mr. Romayne? Of course. Mother likes
+      him so much, and we all like him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your mother, ah!&rdquo; Ernest's tone was full of scorn.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, my mother&mdash;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Kathleen, listen to me,&rdquo; said the young man.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At this point a long call came across the ravine.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, there they are,&rdquo; cried the girl. &ldquo;Let's hurry, please do.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My God, Kathleen!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;You are hurt? You might have been killed.&rdquo;
+       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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, let me go, let me go,&rdquo; she cried. &ldquo;How can you, how can you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Kathleen,&rdquo; he said, his voice hoarse with passion, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+       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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You love me,&rdquo; she said, her voice low and quivering with a passionate
+      scorn, &ldquo;and you treat me so? Let us go.&rdquo; She moved toward her horse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Kathleen, hear me,&rdquo; he entreated. &ldquo;You must hear me. You shall hear me.&rdquo;
+       He caught her once more by the arm. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Kathleen, I forgot myself,&rdquo; he said, letting go of her arm. &ldquo;I was wrong,
+      but, my God, Kathleen, I am not stone, and when I felt your heart beat
+      against mine&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; she cried, shuddering and drawing further away from him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;&mdash;and your face so white, your dear face so near mine, I forgot
+      myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said the girl, turning her face toward him and searching him with
+      her quiet, steady, but contemptuous eyes, &ldquo;you forgot me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER IX
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      EXCEPT HE STRIVE LAWFULLY
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The programme for the day was in the parson's hand. &ldquo;A fine programme,
+      ladies and gentlemen, thanks to you all, and especially to our friend
+      here,&rdquo; said Mr. Rhye, placing his hand on Larry's shoulder.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A chorus of approval greeted his remark, but Larry protested. &ldquo;Not at all.
+      Every one was keen to help. We are all tremendous Canadians and eager to
+      celebrate Dominion Day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, let us go over it again,&rdquo; said Mr. Rhye. &ldquo;The football match with
+      the Eagle Hill boys is all right. How about the polo match with the High
+      River men, Larry?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There will only be one fault with the dinner and the tea, Mrs. Kemp.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And what will that be, sir?&rdquo; enquired Mrs. Kemp, who happened to be
+      Convener of the Refreshment Committee.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They will receive far too much for their money,&rdquo; said Mr. Rhye. &ldquo;How
+      about the evening entertainment, Larry?&rdquo; he continued.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Everything is all right, I think, sir,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are the minstrels in good form?&rdquo; enquired Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;This is
+      your last appearance, you know, and you must go out in a blaze of glory.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We hope to get through somehow,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And the speakers?&rdquo; enquired Mr. Rhye.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is all perfectly splendid,&rdquo; said Mr. Rhye, &ldquo;and I cannot tell you
+      how grateful I am to you all. We ought to have a memorable day to-morrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dere's dat new feller,&rdquo; suggested Joe.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's so,&rdquo; said Vial, familiarly known as Bottles. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      With immense relief the team accepted this solution of the difficulty. But
+      gloom still covered Sam's face. &ldquo;He's only been here two weeks,&rdquo; he said,
+      &ldquo;and you know darn well the rule calls for four.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, hang it!&rdquo; said Bottles, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, cut it out,&rdquo; said Sam, suddenly flaring into wrath. &ldquo;You know we
+      can't do that sort of thing. It ain't the game and we ain't goin' to do
+      it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What ain't the game?&rdquo; enquired Larry, who had come upon the anxious and
+      downcast group.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Farwell told him the calamitous news and explained the problem under
+      discussion. &ldquo;We'd play Sykes, only he hasn't been here a month yet, and
+      Sam won't stand for it,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course Sam won't stand for it, and the Captain is right,&rdquo; said Larry.
+      &ldquo;Is there nobody else, Sam?&rdquo; Sam shook his head despondently. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Sam brightened up a little. &ldquo;Guess we can't do no better,&rdquo; he said
+      doubtfully. &ldquo;I mean,&rdquo; he added in answer to the shout of laughter from the
+      team&mdash;&ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, quit, Sam. I am in pretty good shape,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;They can't kill
+      me. That's the best I can do anyway, so let's get to them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The situation was sufficiently gloomy to stir Joe to his supremest efforts
+      and to kindle Sam's spirit to a blazing flame. &ldquo;We don't need Sykes nor
+      nobody else,&rdquo; he shouted to his men as they moved on to the field. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; Sam's little red eyes glowed with even a more fiery hue
+      than usual; his rat-like face assumed its most belligerent aspect.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see, Mrs. Gwynne,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;no one may handle the ball&mdash;head,
+      feet, body, may be used, but not the hands.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I understand they sometimes hurt each other, Mr. Farwell.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is Lawrence going to play?&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne. &ldquo;Ah, here he is. Lawrence,
+      are you in good condition? You have not been playing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He will be all right, Mrs. Gwynne,&rdquo; said Farwell confidently. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why don't they play Sykes?&rdquo; inquired Kathleen. &ldquo;I heard some of the boys
+      say this morning that Sykes was going to play. He is quite wonderful, I
+      believe.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is,&rdquo; replied Larry, &ldquo;quite wonderful, but unfortunately he is not
+      eligible. But let me introduce Mr. Duckworth, Captain of our enemy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Gwynne received the young man with a bright smile. &ldquo;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,&rdquo; she continued, &ldquo;why Mr. Sykes
+      cannot play.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Duckworth's face grew fiery red. &ldquo;Yes, certainly,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Rather an
+      awkward rule but&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see, Mother, we want to eliminate every sign of professionalism,&rdquo;
+       said Larry, &ldquo;and emphasise the principle of local material for clubs.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, I see, and a very good idea, I should say,&rdquo; said his mother. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A foolish rule, I call it,&rdquo; said Switzer abruptly to Kathleen, &ldquo;and you
+      can't enforce it anyway. Who can tell the personality of a team ten,
+      twenty or fifty miles away?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I fancy they can tell themselves,&rdquo; said Jack Romayne. &ldquo;Their Captain can
+      certify to his men.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aha!&rdquo; laughed Switzer. &ldquo;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?&rdquo; Switzer's face was full of scorn.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I take it they are gentlemen,&rdquo; was Romayne's quiet rejoinder.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course, Mr. Romayne,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good for you, Mother. You're a real sport,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Besides,&rdquo; replied his mother, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But Duckworth was uneasy to be gone. &ldquo;If you will excuse me, Mrs. Gwynne,
+      I must get my men together.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Mr. Duckworth,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne, smiling on him as she gave him
+      her hand, &ldquo;I am sorry we cannot wish you a victory, but we can wish you
+      your very best game and an honourable defeat.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said Duckworth. &ldquo;I feel you have done your best.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come and see us afterward, Mr. Duckworth. What a splendid young man,&rdquo; she
+      continued, as Duckworth left the party and set off to get his men together
+      with the words &ldquo;except he strive lawfully&rdquo; ringing in his ears.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She's a wonder,&rdquo; he said to himself. &ldquo;I wonder how it is she got to me as
+      she has. I know. She makes me think&mdash;&rdquo; But Duckworth refused even to
+      himself to say of whom she made him think. &ldquo;Except he strive lawfully&rdquo; the
+      crown would bring &ldquo;neither honour nor pleasure.&rdquo; Those words, and the face
+      which had suddenly been recalled to Duckworth's memory reconstructed his
+      whole scheme of football diplomacy. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      And so he found when he called his men together and put to them the
+      problem before him. &ldquo;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&mdash;there's no better in the League&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Awfully fine of you, Duckworth,&rdquo; said Larry, as they left the table
+      together. &ldquo;That's the sort of thing that makes for clean sport.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I promised to see your mother after the match,&rdquo; said Duckworth. &ldquo;Can we
+      find her now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sure thing,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Gwynne received the young man with hand stretched far out to meet
+      him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You made us lose the game, Mrs. Gwynne,&rdquo; said Duckworth in a half-shamed
+      manner, &ldquo;and that is one reason why I came to see you again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I?&rdquo; exclaimed Mrs. Gwynne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, you quoted Scripture against us, and you know you can't stand up
+      against Scripture and hope to win, can you?&rdquo; said Duckworth with a laugh.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sit down here beside me, Mr. Duckworth,&rdquo; she said, her eyes shining. &ldquo;I
+      won't pretend not to understand you;&rdquo; she continued when he had taken his
+      place beside her. &ldquo;I can't tell you how proud I am of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said Duckworth. &ldquo;I like to hear that. You see I never thought
+      about it very much. I am not excusing myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Young Duckworth sat silent, his eyes fastened upon the ground.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Please forgive me. Perhaps she is&mdash;no longer with you,&rdquo; said Mrs.
+      Gwynne softly, laying her hand upon his. Duckworth nodded, refusing to
+      look at her and keeping his lips firmly pressed together. &ldquo;I was wrong in
+      what I said just now,&rdquo; she continued. &ldquo;She is with you still; she knows
+      and follows all your doings, and I believe she is proud of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Duckworth cleared his throat and said with an evident effort, &ldquo;You made me
+      think of her to-day, and I simply had to play up. I must go now. I must
+      see the fellows.&rdquo; He rose quickly to his feet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come and see us, won't you?&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won't I just,&rdquo; replied Duckworth, holding her hand a moment or two. &ldquo;I
+      can't tell you how glad I am that I met you to-day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, wait, Mr. Duckworth. Nora, come here. I want you to meet my second
+      daughter. Nora, this is Mr. Duckworth, the Captain.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I know him, the Captain of the enemy,&rdquo; cried Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of our friends, Nora,&rdquo; said her mother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And why, pray?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you were so terribly dangerous, and as for Larry, why you just played
+      with him. It was perfectly maddening to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All the same your brother got away from me and shot the winning goal.
+      He's fearfully fast.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A mere fluke, I tell him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't you think it for one little minute. It was a neat bit of work.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER X
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE SPIRIT Of CANADA
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Whatever it was that rendered it necessary for Duckworth to &ldquo;see the
+      fellows,&rdquo; that necessity vanished in the presence of Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you going to take in the polo?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Am I? Am I going to continue breathing?&rdquo; cried Nora. &ldquo;Come along, Mother,
+      we must go if we are to get a good place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;May I find one for you,&rdquo; said Mr. Duckworth, quite forgetting that he
+      &ldquo;must see the fellows,&rdquo; and thinking only of his good luck in falling in
+      with such a &ldquo;stunning-looking girl.&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;done up in style&rdquo; under Kathleen's
+      supervision, against the white of her costume made her indeed what her
+      escort thought, &ldquo;a stunning-looking girl.&rdquo; Usually careless as to her
+      appearance, she had yielded to Kathleen's persuasion and had &ldquo;gotten
+      herself up to kill.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Bring your mother over here,&rdquo; cried Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, who rejoiced
+      exceedingly in the girl's beauty. &ldquo;Why, how splendidly you are looking
+      to-day,&rdquo; she continued in a more confidential tone as the party grouped
+      themselves about her. &ldquo;What have you been doing to yourself? You are
+      looking awfully fine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Am I?&rdquo; said Nora, exceedingly pleased with herself. &ldquo;I am awfully glad.
+      It is all Kathleen's doing. I got me the belt and the hat new for this
+      show.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very smart, that belt, my dear,&rdquo; said her friend.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I rather fancy it myself, and Kathleen would do up my hair in this new
+      way,&rdquo; said Nora, removing her hat that the full glory of her coiffure
+      might appear. &ldquo;Do you like it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perfectly spiffing!&rdquo; ejaculated Mr. Duckworth, who had taken a seat just
+      behind her chair.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you a judge?&rdquo; said the girl, tipping her saucy chin at him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Am I? With four sisters and dozens of cousins to practise on, I fancy I
+      might claim to be a regular bench show expert.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then,&rdquo; cried Nora with sudden animation, &ldquo;you are the very man I want.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you so much,&rdquo; replied Mr. Duckworth fervently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I mean, perhaps you can advise me. Now as you look at me&mdash;&rdquo; The
+      young man's eyes burned into hers so that with all her audacity Nora felt
+      the colour rising in her face. &ldquo;Which would you suggest as the most
+      suitable style for me, the psyche knot or the neck roll?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I beg your pardon? I rather&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Or would you say the French twist?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, the French twist&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Or simply marcelled and pomped?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Or perhaps the pancake or the coronet?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said the young man, desperately plunging, &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+       said Duckworth, hoping to be extricated. That lady, however, gave him no
+      assistance but continued to smile affectionately at the girl beside her.
+      &ldquo;What style is this that you have now adopted, may I ask?&rdquo; inquired Mr.
+      Duckworth cautiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, that's a combination of several. It's a creation of Kathleen's which
+      as yet has received no name.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then it should be named at once,&rdquo; said Duckworth with great emphasis.
+      &ldquo;May I suggest the Thunderbolt? You see, of course&mdash;so stunning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are coming on,&rdquo; cried Nora, turning her shoulder in disdain upon the
+      young man. &ldquo;Look, there's your brother, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. I think he is
+      perfectly splendid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Which is he?&rdquo; said Mr. Duckworth, acutely interested.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That tall, fine-looking man on the brown pony.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, I see. Met him this morning. By Jove, he is some looker too,&rdquo;
+       replied Mr. Duckworth with reluctant enthusiasm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And there is the High River Captain,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, &ldquo;on the
+      grey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, Monteith, he played for All Canada last year, didn't he?&rdquo; said
+      Nora with immense enthusiasm. &ldquo;He is perfectly splendid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hear the High River club has really sent only its second team, or at
+      least two of them,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;Certainly Tremaine is not
+      with them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope they get properly trimmed for it,&rdquo; said Nora, indignantly. &ldquo;Such
+      cheek!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Serves us right,&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;We deserved to be jolly well licked, and we got what
+      was coming to us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, we're not worrying,&rdquo; replied the Wolf Willow Captain, himself a
+      sturdy horseman and one of the most famous stick handlers in the West. &ldquo;Of
+      course, we know that if Murray and Knight had been with you the result
+      would have been different.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not at all sure about that,&rdquo; replied Monteith. &ldquo;That new man of
+      yours, Romayne, is a wonder. Army man, isn't he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, played in India, I believe.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say two weeks. No. That throws it a little late for the harvest. Say a
+      week from to-day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall let you know to-night,&rdquo; said Ross. &ldquo;You are staying for the
+      spellbinding fest and entertainment, are you not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sure thing; we are out for the whole day. Who are on for the speaking?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Gilchrist for one, our Member for the Dominion, you know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, strong man, I believe. He's a Liberal, of Course.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Ross, &ldquo;he's a Grit all right, hide-bound too&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Which you are not, I take it,&rdquo; replied Monteith with a laugh.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Traditionally I am a Conservative,&rdquo; said Ross, &ldquo;but last election I voted
+      Liberal. I don't know how you were but I was keen on Reciprocity.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The contrary with me,&rdquo; replied Monteith. &ldquo;Traditionally I am a Liberal,
+      but I voted Conservative.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You voted against Reciprocity, you a western man voted against a better
+      market for our wheat and stuff, and against cheaper machinery?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;do you really
+      care to know why I switched?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sure thing; I'd like awfully to hear if you don't mind. We are not
+      discussing politics, you understand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. Well,&rdquo; said Monteith, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It's a funny thing,&rdquo; replied Ross. &ldquo;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&mdash;I do not mean to be offensive at all&mdash;of course you
+      see what your position amounts to&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, it was a beastly shame,&rdquo; replied Ross.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But isn't it rather queer,&rdquo; said Monteith, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, for one thing,&rdquo; replied Ross, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There you are again,&rdquo; said Monteith. &ldquo;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&mdash;Swedes, Italians, Germans, Jews&mdash;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&mdash;you ought to
+      hear them read&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Maybe you are right,&rdquo; replied Ross. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;I am not that sure about the doctrine, but he
+      has the right kind of religion for me.&rdquo; And McTavish's reply was
+      characteristic: &ldquo;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,&rdquo; which from McTavish was as high praise as could reasonably be
+      expected.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hear, hear,&rdquo; cried an enthusiastic voice from the rear.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aye, water and snow,&rdquo; in a rasping voice from old McTavish.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Water and snow,&rdquo; replied Mr. Gilchrist. &ldquo;Yes, plenty of water, 125,000
+      square miles of it, and a good thing it is too for Canada. Some people
+      sniff at water,&rdquo; continued the speaker with a humorous glance at McTavish,
+      &ldquo;but even a Scotchman may with advantage acknowledge the value of a little
+      water.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My friend, Mr. McTavish,&rdquo; continued the speaker, &ldquo;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oo aye,&rdquo; said McTavish, with profound resignation in his voice. &ldquo;Ye'll
+      dae wi' that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And snow,&rdquo; cried the speaker. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      McTavish hitched about uneasily. He wanted to have the speaker get done
+      with this part of his theme.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;wheat&rdquo; he pulled up abruptly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wheat,&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;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&mdash;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;These are the things,&rdquo; he cried, &ldquo;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
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+    &ldquo;'A man's a man for a' that;
+      The rank is but the guinea's stamp;
+      The man's the gowd for a' that.'&rdquo;
+ </pre>
+    <p>
+      At this old McTavish surprised the audience and himself by crying out,
+      &ldquo;Hear-r-r, hear-r-r,&rdquo; glancing round defiantly as if daring anyone to take
+      up his challenge.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In matters of religion,&rdquo; continued the speaker, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Briefly the speaker proceeded to touch upon some characteristic features
+      of Canadian political institutions.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nowhere in the world,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XI
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE SHADOW OF WAR
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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
+      &ldquo;improperly&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;v&rdquo;) 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.)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'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&mdash;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&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;Mr. Ernest Switzer has the floor,&rdquo; said the
+      chairman.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The young man's face was white and his voice shaking when he began. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+      &ldquo;Mr. Romayne has the floor,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ladies and Gentlemen,&rdquo; he began, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You're all right, Jack,&rdquo; cried a voice. &ldquo;You're right at home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am at home,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;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.&rdquo; The speaker paused for a moment or two. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At this point Switzer sprang to his feet and cried, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is quite true,&rdquo; replied Mr. Romayne. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Again Switzer was upon his feet. &ldquo;This is a slanderous falsehood,&rdquo; he
+      cried. &ldquo;How does this man know?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I happened to be there,&rdquo; was the quiet reply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do we know?&rdquo; again cried Switzer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you kindly repeat that remark?&rdquo; said Mr. Romayne quietly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I believe this statement,&rdquo; shouted Switzer, &ldquo;to be a slanderous
+      falsehood.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you accuse me of falsehood,&rdquo; said Romayne even more quietly, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The British Empire!&rdquo; cried Switzer scornfully as Romayne took his seat,
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo; (Cries of &ldquo;Never!&rdquo; &ldquo;Rot!&rdquo; &ldquo;Shut your trap!&rdquo;) Switzer
+      sprang to his feet and, shaking his fist in their faces, cried: &ldquo;I know
+      what I am saying. This you will see before many months have passed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Again Romayne rose to his feet and waited till a silence fell upon the
+      audience. &ldquo;Ladies and Gentlemen,&rdquo; he said solemnly, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hear! Hear!&rdquo; cried some. &ldquo;Go on with the programme.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No! No!&rdquo; said others. &ldquo;Let's have it out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Chairman,&rdquo; said Hec Ross, rising to his feet, &ldquo;this thing is better
+      than any silly old programme, let's have it out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But the chairman, much against his inclination, for he was a fighter,
+      ruled otherwise. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;hund&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;Der Kronprinz,&rdquo; hastily beats a
+      retreat.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;der Kronprinz,&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;der
+      Kronprinz,&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;Der Kronprinz,&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;der Kronprinz&rdquo; reappears
+      with his &ldquo;hund&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Meantime while Sam is engaged in executing a lightning change from the
+      role of &ldquo;der Kronprinz&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;The
+      Maple Leaf&rdquo; and the national anthem, the meeting came to a close.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What a world it is, Mother!&rdquo; said Larry, gazing about him at the beauty
+      of the night.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Those people of the Balkan States are semi-barbarians,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is quite true, my dear,&rdquo; said his mother. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And yet two years ago, Mother, in connection with the Agadir incident war
+      might have happened any minute.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is true,&rdquo; replied his mother, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I hope so, Mother. I loathe the very thought of war,&rdquo; said Larry.
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope so,&rdquo; replied his mother. &ldquo;Fighting is no work for man, but for
+      brute.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you would not be afraid, Mother. I know you would stand up to
+      anything.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, no, no,&rdquo; cried his mother. &ldquo;I could stand up to very little. After
+      all, it is only God that makes strong to endure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Mother, in these present wars should not men defend their women and
+      children from such outrages as we read about?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When it comes to the question of defending women and children it seems to
+      me that the question is changed,&rdquo; said his mother. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But after all, Mother,&rdquo; replied Larry, &ldquo;it was not Smithfield that saved
+      England's freedom, but Naseby.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps both Naseby and Smithfield,&rdquo; said his mother. &ldquo;I am not very wise
+      in these things.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At the door of their house they came upon Nora sitting in the moonlight.
+      &ldquo;Did you meet Ernest and Mr. Romayne?&rdquo; she inquired. &ldquo;They've only gone
+      five minutes or so. They walked down with us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, we did not meet them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You must be tired after the wild excitement of the day, Mother,&rdquo; said
+      Nora. &ldquo;I think you had better go at once to bed. As for me, I am going for
+      a swim.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's bully; I'm with you,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In a few minutes they were dressed in their bathing suits, and, wrapped up
+      in their mackintosh coats, they strolled toward the little lake.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let's sit a few moments and take in this wonderful night,&rdquo; said Nora.
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It did not impress me in the very least,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Explain what?&rdquo; It was Switzer's voice they heard, loud and truculent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just what you meant by the words 'slanderous falsehood' which you used
+      to-night,&rdquo; replied a voice which they recognised to be Jack Romayne's.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I meant just what I said.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you mean to impugn my veracity, because&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because if you did I should have to slap your face just now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mein Gott! You&mdash;!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not so loud,&rdquo; said Romayne quietly, &ldquo;unless you prefer an audience.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You schlap my face!&rdquo; cried the German, in his rage losing perfect control
+      of his accent. &ldquo;Ach, if you were only in my country, we could settle this
+      in the only way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you will answer my question.&rdquo; Romayne's voice was low and clear
+      and very hard. &ldquo;Did you mean to call me a liar? Yes or no.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A liar,&rdquo; replied the German, speaking more quietly. &ldquo;No, it is not a
+      question of veracity. It is a question of historical accuracy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, very well. That's all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, it is not all,&rdquo; exclaimed the German. &ldquo;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&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Stop!&rdquo; Romayne's voice came across the water with a sharp ring like the
+      tap of a hammer on steel. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Punish me!&rdquo; shouted the German. &ldquo;Gott in Himmel, that I must bear this!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are going to fight,&rdquo; said Nora in an awed and horrified voice. &ldquo;Oh,
+      Larry, do go over.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He-l-l-o,&rdquo; cried Larry across the water. &ldquo;That you, Switzer? Who is that
+      with you? Come along around here, won't you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a silence of some moments and then Romayne's voice came quietly
+      across the water. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; There was no reply from Switzer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You won't come then?&rdquo; called Larry. &ldquo;Well, goodnight, both of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good-night, good-night,&rdquo; came from both men.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think they will fight?&rdquo; said Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I think not. There's Switzer riding off now. What fools they are.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And Jack Romayne is so quiet and gentlemanly,&rdquo; said Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Larry, I don't understand you a bit,&rdquo; cried Nora. &ldquo;Of course they
+      want to fight when they get full of rage. I would myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I believe you,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Larry, I don't believe you are a coward. I could not believe that of
+      you,&rdquo; she said passionately; &ldquo;I think I would rather die.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But if that man,&rdquo; breathed Nora hurriedly, for the household were asleep,
+      &ldquo;if that man mad with lust and rage were about to injure your mother or
+      your sisters&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; said Larry, drawing in his breath quickly, &ldquo;that would be different,
+      eh?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good-night, you dear goose,&rdquo; said his sister, kissing him quickly. &ldquo;I am
+      not afraid for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      MEN AND A MINE
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ernest insists on being secretary?&rdquo; said Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, naturally. His interests are all here. He insists also that I be
+      president.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And why, Dad?&rdquo; enquired Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne, with a slight laugh, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh pshaw!&rdquo; exclaimed Nora, patting him on the shoulder, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nora dear, hush,&rdquo; said her mother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      With an imploring look at her sister, Kathleen left the room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Her father gazed at her in astonishment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Surely this is quite unwarranted, Nora,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I cannot allow a
+      matter of this kind to be dragged into a matter of business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How would it do to take a few days to turn it over in our minds?&rdquo; said
+      his wife. &ldquo;We must not forget, dear,&rdquo; she continued, a note of grave
+      anxiety in her voice, &ldquo;that if we accept this proposition it will mean a
+      complete change in our family life.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Family life, Mother,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne with some impatience. &ldquo;You don't
+      mean&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I mean, my dear,&rdquo; replied the mother, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Surely, surely,&rdquo; replied her husband. &ldquo;Your advice is wise, as always. I
+      shall just step over to Mr. Waring-Gaunt's immediately.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      After Mr. Gwynne's departure, the others sat silent for some moments,
+      their minds occupied with the question raised so abruptly by Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may as well face it, Mother,&rdquo; said the girl. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The mother sat silent, her face showing deep distress. &ldquo;Nora dear,&rdquo; at
+      length she said, &ldquo;this matter is really not in our hands. Surely you can
+      see that. I can't discuss it with you.&rdquo; And so saying she left the room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, Nora,&rdquo; said Larry severely, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Run things?&rdquo; cried Nora. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, he's a decent sort and a clever fellow,&rdquo; began Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would you?&rdquo; retorted her brother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. I would not,&rdquo; emphatically said Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Nora, you amaze me,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not because of his race,&rdquo; said Nora, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, Nora, let us be reasonable. Let us look at this fairly,&rdquo; began
+      Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, as I was about to say&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Larry, will you answer yes or no?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, no, then,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank God!&rdquo; cried Nora, rushing at him and shaking him vigorously. &ldquo;You
+      wretch! Why did you keep me in suspense? How I wish that English stick
+      would get a move on!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;English stick? Whom do you mean?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed?&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;And how exactly?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why doesn't he just make her love him, master her, swing her off her
+      feet?&rdquo; said Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Like Switzer, eh? The cave man idea?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, no. Surely you see the difference?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pity my ignorance and elucidate the mystery.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mystery? Nonsense. It is quite simple. It is a mere matter of emphasis.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I see,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;or at least I don't see. But credit me with the
+      earnest and humble desire to understand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said his sister, &ldquo;the one&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Which one?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, you would like that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You prefer that, eh?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, that makes me tired!&rdquo; said Nora in a tone of disgust.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I give it up,&rdquo; said Larry hopelessly. &ldquo;What do you want?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;oh, I'd just love to be bullied by him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      For some moments Larry stood looking into the glowing black eyes, then
+      said quietly, &ldquo;May God send you such a man, little sister, or none at
+      all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Got twenty thousand myself, you know&mdash;looks to me like a sound
+      proposition&mdash;think you ought to go in&mdash;what do you say, eh,
+      what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well; get ten or fifteen thousand for me,&rdquo; said his brother-in-law.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Within two days Mr. Waring-Gaunt found that the stock had all been
+      disposed of. &ldquo;Energetic chap, that young Switzer,&mdash;got all the stock
+      placed&mdash;none left, so he told me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you tell him the stock was for me?&rdquo; enquired Romayne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course, why not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Probably that accounts for it. He would not be especially anxious to have
+      me in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you say? Nothing in that, I fancy. But I must see about that,
+      what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, let it go,&rdquo; said Romayne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Gwynne was after me again to take the treasurership,&rdquo; said Waring-Gaunt,
+      &ldquo;but I am busy with so many things&mdash;treasurership very hampering&mdash;demands
+      close attention&mdash;that sort of thing, eh, what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Personally I wish you would take it,&rdquo; said Romayne. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you don't like Switzer, eh? Natural, I suppose. Don't like him
+      myself; bounder sort of chap&mdash;but avoid prejudice, my boy, eh, what?
+      German&mdash;that sort of thing&mdash;don't do in this country, eh?
+      English, Scotch, Irish, French, Galician, Swede, German&mdash;all sound
+      Canadians&mdash;melting pot idea, eh, what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am getting that idea, too,&rdquo; said his brother-in-law. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, all right, my boy, gentleman idea quite right too&mdash;but
+      new country, new standards&mdash;'Old Family' idea played out, don't you
+      know. Burke's Peerage not known here&mdash;every mug on its own bottom&mdash;rather
+      touchy Canadians are about that sort of thing&mdash;democracy stuff and
+      all that you know. Not too bad either, eh, what? for a chap who has got
+      the stuff in him&mdash;architect of his fortune&mdash;founder of his own
+      family and that sort of thing, don't you know. Not too bad, eh, what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I quite agree,&rdquo; cried Jack, &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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,
+      &ldquo;Perfectly, old chap, perfectly&mdash;good sort, Gwynne&mdash;good family.
+      Girl of the finest&mdash;hope you put it off, old boy. Madame has put me
+      on, you know, eh, what? Jolly good thing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now what the deuce do you mean?&rdquo; said Romayne angrily.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right&mdash;don't wish to intrude, don't you know. Fine girl though&mdash;quite
+      the finest thing I've seen&mdash;could go anywhere.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      His brother-in-law's face flushed fiery red. &ldquo;Now look here, Tom,&rdquo; he said
+      angrily, &ldquo;don't be an ass. Of course I know what you mean but as the boys
+      say here, 'Nothing doing!'&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What? You mean it? Nothing doing? A fine girl like that&mdash;sweet girl&mdash;good
+      clean stock&mdash;wonderful mother&mdash;would make a wife any man would
+      be proud of&mdash;the real thing, you know, the real thing&mdash;I have
+      known her these eight years&mdash;watched her grow up&mdash;rare courage&mdash;pure
+      soul. Nothing doing? My God, man, have you eyes?&rdquo; 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.
+      &ldquo;Don't you hear me, Jack?&rdquo; said Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;Do you mean there's nothing
+      in it, or have you burned out your heart with those fool women of London
+      and Paris?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Swiftly his brother-in-law turned to him. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; He was actually trembling, his voice hoarse and
+      shaking.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Amazement, then pity, finally delight, succeeded each other in rapid
+      succession across the face of his brother-in-law as he listened. &ldquo;My dear
+      chap, my dear chap,&rdquo; he said when Romayne had finished. &ldquo;Awfully glad, you
+      know&mdash;delighted. But why the howl? The girl is there&mdash;go in and
+      get her, by Jove. Why not, eh, what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It's no use, I tell you,&rdquo; said Romayne. &ldquo;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!&rdquo;
+       He pulled himself up with an effort, then with a laugh said, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rot, beastly rot. Give her up to that German heel-clicking bounder&mdash;rather
+      not. Buck up, old man&mdash;give the girl a chance anyway&mdash;play the
+      game out, eh, what? Oh, by the way, I have made up my mind to take that
+      treasurership&mdash;beastly nuisance, eh? Goin'? Where?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Off with the dogs for a run somewhere.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, take the car&mdash;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&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A shoot,&rdquo; she cried, &ldquo;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&mdash;' What?
+      I am listening, but I shouldn't be. What do you say? Tom, it cannot be!&rdquo;
+       She sat down weakly in a convenient chair and listened to her husband
+      while he retailed her brother's great secret.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And so, my dear, we are going to begin a big campaign&mdash;begin to-day&mdash;take
+      the girls off with us for a shoot&mdash;what do you say, eh?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How far has the German got with her? That is what I would like to know,&rdquo;
+       said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt to herself as she hastily prepared for the motor
+      ride. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; Meantime she would hope for the best and play the game as
+      best she could.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would you mind running into the Gwynnes' as we pass, Tom?&rdquo; said his wife
+      as they settled themselves in the car. &ldquo;I have a message for Nora.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Righto!&rdquo; said her husband, throwing his wife a look which she refused
+      utterly to notice. &ldquo;But remember you must not be long. We cannot lose the
+      evening shoot, eh, what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, just a moment will do,&rdquo; said his wife.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At the door Nora greeted them. &ldquo;Oh, you lucky people&mdash;guns and a dog,
+      and a day like this,&rdquo; she cried.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come along&mdash;lots of room&mdash;take my gun,&rdquo; said Mr. Waring-Gaunt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't tempt me, or I shall come.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell us what is your weakness, Miss Nora,&rdquo; said Jack. &ldquo;How can we get you
+      to come?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My weakness?&rdquo; cried the girl eagerly, &ldquo;you all are, and especially your
+      dear Sweeper dog there.&rdquo; She put her arms around the neck of the beautiful
+      setter, who was frantically struggling to get out to her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sweeper, lucky dog, eh, Jack, what?&rdquo; said Mr. Waring-Gaunt, with a warm
+      smile of admiration at the wholesome, sun-browned face. &ldquo;Come along, Miss
+      Nora&mdash;back in a short time, eh, what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Short time?&rdquo; said Nora. &ldquo;Not if I go. Not till we can't see the birds.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can't you come, Nora?&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, &ldquo;I want to talk to you,
+      and we'll drive to-day and let the men shoot. Where is Kathleen? Is she
+      busy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Busy? We are all positively overwhelmed with work. But, oh, do go away,
+      or I shall certainly run from it all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In a few moments Mrs. Waring-Gaunt returned with Kathleen and her mother.
+      &ldquo;Your mother says, Nora, that she does not need you a bit, and she insists
+      on your coming, both of you. So be quick.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Mother,&rdquo; cried the girl in great excitement. &ldquo;You cannot possibly get
+      along without us. There's the tea for all those men.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But there isn't room for us all,&rdquo; said Kathleen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Room? Heaps,&rdquo; said Mr. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;Climb in here beside me, Miss
+      Nora.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, it will be great,&rdquo; said Nora. &ldquo;Can you really get along, Mother?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nonsense,&rdquo; said the mother. &ldquo;You think far too much of yourself. Get your
+      hat.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hat; who wants a hat?&rdquo; cried the girl, getting in beside Mr.
+      Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;Oh, this is more than I had ever dreamed, and I feel so
+      wicked!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All the better, eh, what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here, Kathleen,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, &ldquo;here between us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am so afraid I shall crowd you,&rdquo; said the girl, her face showing a
+      slight flush.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      A DAY IN SEPTEMBER
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;these things go with a September day in
+      Alberta.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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,
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;My God!&rdquo; he cried aloud, &ldquo;to think of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two ladies turned their astonished eyes upon him. &ldquo;What is it, Jack?
+      Wait, Tom. Have you lost something?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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!&rdquo; he continued. &ldquo;'What a time we are
+      having,' as Miss Nora would say.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, what a time!&rdquo; exclaimed Nora, turning her face toward them. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Poor things,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;How could either of you help it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why is it that all the nice men are married?&rdquo; inquired Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I beg your pardon, Miss Nora,&rdquo; said Jack in a pained voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I mean&mdash;why&mdash;I'm afraid I can't fix that up, can I?&rdquo; she said,
+      appealing to Mrs. Waring-Gaunt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly you can. What you really mean is, why do all married men become
+      so nice?&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, thank you, the answer is so obvious. Do you know, I feel wild
+      to-day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And so do I,&rdquo; replied Kathleen, suddenly waking to life. &ldquo;It is the
+      wonderful air, or the motor, perhaps.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Me, too,&rdquo; exclaimed Jack Romayne, looking straight at her, &ldquo;only with me
+      it is not the air, nor the motor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What then!&rdquo; said Kathleen with a swift, shy look at him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'The heart knoweth its own bitterness and a stranger intermeddleth not
+      with its joy.'&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's the Bible, I know,&rdquo; said Kathleen, &ldquo;and it really means 'mind your
+      own business.'&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, no, not that exactly,&rdquo; protested Jack, &ldquo;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,&rdquo; said Jack, trying to get her eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; said the girl, &ldquo;there are things that we cannot trust to words,
+      no, not for all the world.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know what you are thinking of,&rdquo; replied Jack. &ldquo;Let me guess.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, no, you must not, indeed,&rdquo; she replied quickly. &ldquo;Look, isn't that the
+      mine? What a crowd of people! Do look.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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
+      &ldquo;grub shack.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In your English speech, Mr. Romayne, the dining room of the camp. He is
+      certainly a hustler,&rdquo; exclaimed Nora, gazing upon the scene before them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who?&rdquo; inquired Mrs. Waring-Gaunt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ernest Switzer,&rdquo; said Nora, unable to keep the grudge out of her voice.
+      &ldquo;It is only a week since I was up here and during that time he has
+      actually made this village, the streets, the sidewalks&mdash;and if that
+      is not actually a system of water pipes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some hustler, as you say, Miss Nora, eh, what?&rdquo; said Tom.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wonderful,&rdquo; replied Nora; &ldquo;he is wonderful.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Glorious view that,&rdquo; he said, touching her arm and sweeping his hand
+      toward the mountains.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      She started at his touch, a faint colour coming into her face. &ldquo;How
+      wonderful!&rdquo; she breathed. &ldquo;I love them. They bring me my best thoughts.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's him,&rdquo; said Nora. &ldquo;Some one is getting it.&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;That's better,&rdquo; said
+      Nora with a wicked glance at Romayne. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As she spoke Switzer emerged from behind the shack, driving before him a
+      cringing creature evidently in abject terror of him. &ldquo;Get back to your
+      gang and carry out your orders, or you will get your time.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Came to see how you are getting on, Switzer, eh, what?&rdquo; said Tom.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Getting on,&rdquo; he replied in a loud voice, raising his hat in salutation.
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo; He made no attempt to
+      apologise for his outrageous outburst, was probably conscious of no need
+      of apology.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is your foreman, I think?&rdquo; said Nora, who alone of the party seemed
+      to be able to deal with the situation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, Mr. Steinberg,&rdquo; said Switzer, presenting the spectacled man.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are too busy to show us anything this afternoon?&rdquo; said Nora sweetly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, much too busy,&rdquo; said Switzer, gruffly. &ldquo;I have no time for anything
+      but work these days.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You cannot come along for a little shoot?&rdquo; she said, innocently. Nora was
+      evidently enjoying herself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shoot!&rdquo; cried Switzer in a kind of contemptuous fury. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Switzer started and looked at him in surprise. &ldquo;Treasurer, who? Are you to
+      be treasurer of the company? Who says so? Mr. Gwynne did not ask&mdash;did
+      not tell me about it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, sorry&mdash;premature announcement, eh?&rdquo; said Tom. &ldquo;Well, good-bye.
+      All set.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The Packard gave forth sundry growls and snorts and glided away down the
+      trail.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nora was much excited. &ldquo;What's this about the treasurership?&rdquo; she
+      demanded. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then trouble, eh, what?&rdquo; said Waring-Gaunt, pleasantly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good chicken country, eh?&rdquo; said Tom, slipping out of the car quietly.
+      &ldquo;Nora, you come with me. Quiet now. Off to the left, eh, what? You handle
+      Sweeper, Jack.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I'll drive the car,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;Go on with Jack, Kathleen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come on, Miss Kathleen, you take the gun, and I'll look after the dog.
+      Let me have the whistle, Tom.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They had not gone ten yards from the car when the setter stood rigid on
+      point. &ldquo;Steady, old boy,&rdquo; said Jack. &ldquo;Move up quickly, Miss Kathleen. Is
+      your gun ready? Sure it's off safe?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right,&rdquo; said the girl, walking steadily on the dog.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Bang! Bang! went Nora's gun. Two birds soared safely aloft. Bang! Bang!
+      went Kathleen's gun. &ldquo;Double, by jove! Steady, Sweeper!&rdquo; Again the dog
+      stood on point. Swiftly Jack loaded the gun. &ldquo;Here you are, Miss Kathleen.
+      You will get another,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;There are more here.&rdquo; As he spoke a bird
+      flew up at his right. Bang! went Kathleen's gun. &ldquo;Another, good work.&rdquo;
+       Bang! went Nora's gun to the left. &ldquo;Look out, here he comes,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;Oh, splendid, partner, splendid, great shooting!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, it was easy. Sweeper had them fast,&rdquo; said Kathleen. &ldquo;And that last
+      shot was just awfully good luck.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo; And catching hold of her arm, he gave her a friendly little
+      shake.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; she cried, responding frankly to his mood, &ldquo;we will. Let's have a
+      good day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where did you learn to shoot?&rdquo; inquired Jack.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nora and I have always carried guns in the season,&rdquo; replied Kathleen,
+      &ldquo;even when we were going to school. You see, Larry hates shooting. We
+      loved it and at times were glad to get them&mdash;the birds, I mean. We
+      did not do it just for sport.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can your sister shoot as well as you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hardly, I think. She pulls too quickly, you see, but when she steadies
+      down she will shoot better than I.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are a wonder,&rdquo; said Jack enthusiastically.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, not a wonder,&rdquo; said the girl.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wait till I get the birds back to the car,&rdquo; he cried.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He-l-l-o,&rdquo; cried his sister as he came running. &ldquo;What, four of them?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Four,&rdquo; he answered. &ldquo;By jove, she's a wonder, isn't she. She really bowls
+      me over.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nonsense,&rdquo; said his sister in a low voice. &ldquo;She's just a fine girl with a
+      steady hand and a quick eye, and,&rdquo; she added as Jack turned away from her,
+      &ldquo;a true heart.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A true heart,&rdquo; Jack muttered to himself, &ldquo;and given to that confounded
+      bully of a German. If it had been any other man&mdash;but we have got one
+      day at least.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let's beat round this bluff,&rdquo; suggested Kathleen. &ldquo;They may not have left
+      the trees yet.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That bluff promised chickens if ever a bluff did,&rdquo; said Kathleen in a
+      disappointed voice. &ldquo;We'll get them further down, and then again in the
+      stubble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Cheer-o,&rdquo; cried Jack. &ldquo;The day is fine and we are having a ripping time,
+      at least I am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I, too,&rdquo; cried the girl. &ldquo;I love this, the open fields,&mdash;and the
+      sport, too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And good company,&rdquo; said Jack boldly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, good company, of course,&rdquo; she said with a quick, friendly glance.
+      &ldquo;And you ARE good company to-day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To-day?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. Sometimes, you know, you are rather&mdash;I don't know what to say&mdash;but
+      queer, as if you did not like&mdash;people, or were carrying some terrible
+      secret,&rdquo; she added with a little laugh.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Secret? I am, but not for long. I am going to tell you the secret. Do you
+      want to hear it now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The note of desperation in his voice startled the girl. &ldquo;Oh, no,&rdquo; she
+      cried hurriedly. &ldquo;Where have we got to? There are no birds in this open
+      prairie here. We must get back to the stubble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are not interested in my secret, then?&rdquo; said Jack. &ldquo;But I am going to
+      tell you all the same, Kathleen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, please don't,&rdquo; she replied in a distressed voice. &ldquo;We are having such
+      a splendid time, and besides we are after birds, aren't we? And there are
+      the others,&rdquo; she added, pointing across the stubble field, &ldquo;and Sweeper is
+      on point again. Oh, let's run.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My God, Kathleen, are you hurt?&rdquo; said Jack.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, no, not a bit, but awfully scared,&rdquo; she panted. Then she shrieked,
+      &ldquo;Oh, oh, oh, Jack, you are wounded, you are bleeding!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He looked down at his hand. It was dripping blood. &ldquo;Oh, oh,&rdquo; she moaned,
+      covering her face with her hands. Then springing to her feet, she caught
+      up his hand in hers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is nothing at all,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I feel nothing. Only a bit of skin.
+      See,&rdquo; he cried, lifting his arm up. &ldquo;There's nothing to it. No broken
+      bones.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let me see, Jack&mdash;Mr. Romayne,&rdquo; she said with white lips.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say 'Jack,'&rdquo; he begged.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let me take off your coat&mdash;Jack, then. I know a little about this. I
+      have done something at it in Winnipeg.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Together they removed the coat. The shirt sleeve was hanging in a tangled,
+      bloody mass from the arm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Awful!&rdquo; groaned Kathleen. &ldquo;Sit down.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, nonsense, it is not serious.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sit down, Jack, dear,&rdquo; she entreated, clasping her hands about his sound
+      arm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say it again,&rdquo; said Jack.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Jack, won't you sit down, please?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say it again,&rdquo; he commanded sternly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Jack, dear, please sit down,&rdquo; she cried in a pitiful voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He sat down, then lay back reclining on his arm. &ldquo;Now your knife, Jack,&rdquo;
+       she said, feeling hurriedly through his pockets.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here you are,&rdquo; he said, handing her the knife, biting his lips the while
+      and fighting back a feeling of faintness.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's fine,&rdquo; said Jack. &ldquo;You are a brick, Kathleen. I think&mdash;I will&mdash;just
+      lie down&mdash;a bit. I feel&mdash;rather rotten.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jack,&rdquo; she cried aloud in her terror. &ldquo;Don't faint. You must not faint.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;What is it that they do?&rdquo; 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, &ldquo;Oh, Jack, dear, dear Jack.&rdquo; 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, &ldquo;Oh, my
+      love, my dear love.&rdquo; She kissed him on his white lips.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;Do&mdash;it&mdash;again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you heard,&rdquo; she cried, the red blood flooding face and neck, &ldquo;but I
+      don't care, only don't go off again. You will not, Jack, you must not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No&mdash;I won't,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It's rotten&mdash;of me&mdash;to act&mdash;like
+      this and&mdash;scare you&mdash;to death. Give me&mdash;a little&mdash;time.
+      I will be&mdash;all right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If they would only come! If I could only do something!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You're all right&mdash;Kathleen. Just be&mdash;patient with me&mdash;a
+      bit. I am feeling&mdash;better every minute.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      For a few moments he lay quiet. Then with a little smile he looked up at
+      her again and said, &ldquo;I would go off again just to hear you say those words
+      once more.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, please don't,&rdquo; she entreated, hiding her face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Forgive me, Kathleen, I am a beast. Forget it. I am feeling all right. I
+      believe I could sit up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, no, no,&rdquo; she cried. &ldquo;Lie a little longer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;That is
+      better,&rdquo; she said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good work,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Now I am going to be fit for anything in a few
+      moments. But,&rdquo; he added, &ldquo;you look rather badly, as if you might faint
+      yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I? What difference does it make how I look? I am quite right. If they
+      would only come! I know what I will do,&rdquo; she cried. &ldquo;Where are your
+      cartridges?&rdquo; She loaded the gun and fired in quick succession half a dozen
+      shots. &ldquo;I think I see them,&rdquo; she exclaimed, &ldquo;but I am not sure that they
+      heard me.&rdquo; Again she fired several shots.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't worry about it,&rdquo; said Jack, into whose face the colour was
+      beginning to come back. &ldquo;They are sure to look us up. Just sit down, won't
+      you please, beside me here? There, that's good,&rdquo; he continued, taking her
+      hand. &ldquo;Kathleen,&rdquo; he cried, &ldquo;I think you know my secret.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, no, no, please don't,&rdquo; she implored, withdrawing her hand and hiding
+      her face from him. &ldquo;Please don't be hard on me. I really do not know what
+      I am doing and I am feeling dreadfully.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, thank you; you are so good, and I love you for it,&rdquo; she cried in a
+      passion of gratitude. &ldquo;You understand, don't you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I do,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;By the way, do you know I think I could smoke.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, splendid!&rdquo; she cried, and, springing up, she searched through his
+      coat pockets, found pipe, pouch, matches, and soon he had his pipe going.
+      &ldquo;There, that looks more like living,&rdquo; said Kathleen, laughing somewhat
+      hysterically. &ldquo;Oh, you did frighten me!&rdquo; Again the red flush came into her
+      face and she turned away from him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There they are coming. Sure enough, they are coming,&rdquo; she cried with a
+      sob in her voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Steady, Kathleen,&rdquo; said Jack quietly. &ldquo;You won't blow up now, will you?
+      You have been so splendid! Can you hold on?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      She drew a deep breath, stood for a minute or two in perfect silence, and
+      then she said, &ldquo;I can and I will. I am quite right now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Of course they exclaimed and stared and even wept a bit&mdash;at least the
+      ladies did&mdash;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad it was not I who was with you,&rdquo; declared Nora. &ldquo;I cannot stand
+      blood, and I certainly should have fainted, and what would you have done
+      then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not you,&rdquo; declared Jack. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I am so silly,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;but I am afraid I cannot stand the sight
+      of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Kathleen sprang at once to her feet. &ldquo;Is there no one there?&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have done this sort of thing before, Miss Gwynne?&rdquo; said the doctor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, never,&rdquo; she replied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, you certainly are a brick,&rdquo; he said, turning admiring eyes upon
+      her. He was a young man and unmarried. &ldquo;But this is a little too much for
+      you.&rdquo; From a decanter which stood on a side table he poured out a little
+      spirits. &ldquo;Drink this,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, thank you, Doctor, I am quite right,&rdquo; said Kathleen, quietly picking
+      up the bloody debris and dropping them into a basin which she carried into
+      the other room. &ldquo;He is all right now,&rdquo; she said to Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, who
+      took the basin from her, exclaiming,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My poor dear, you are awfully white. I am ashamed of myself. Now you must
+      lie down at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, please, I shall go home, I think. Where is Nora?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, don't, don't,&rdquo; cried the girl, a quick rush of tears coming to her
+      eyes. &ldquo;I must go, I must go. Oh, I feel terrible. I don't know what I have
+      done. Let me go home.&rdquo; She almost pushed Mrs. Waring-Gaunt from her and
+      went out of the house and found Tom standing by the car smoking.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take her home, Tom,&rdquo; said his wife. &ldquo;She needs rest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come along, Kathleen; rest&mdash;well, rather. Get in beside me here.
+      Feel rather rotten, eh, what? Fine bit of work, good soldier&mdash;no,
+      don't talk&mdash;monologue indicated.&rdquo; And monologue it was till he
+      delivered her, pale, weary and spent, to her mother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIV
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      AN EXTRAORDINARY NURSE
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A letter for you, Nora,&rdquo; said Larry, coming just in from the post office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;From Jane!&rdquo; cried Nora, tearing open the letter. &ldquo;Oh, glory,&rdquo; she
+      continued. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who, Nora?&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;Jane?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.'&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hurrah! Good old Jane! What train did you say?&rdquo; cried Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sixteen-forty-five to-morrow at Melville Station.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'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.'&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Isn't that just like Jane?&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;I bet you she gives the size of
+      the trunk, doesn't she, Nora?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A steamer trunk and pretty heavy, she says.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Same old girl. Does she give you the colour?&rdquo; inquired Larry. &ldquo;Like an
+      old maid, she is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nonsense,&rdquo; said Nora, closing up her letter. &ldquo;Oh, it's splendid. Let's
+      see, it is eight years since we saw her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just about fifteen months since I saw her,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And about four months for me,&rdquo; said Kathleen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But eight years for me,&rdquo; cried Nora, &ldquo;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,&rdquo; said Nora in a tone of disgust.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane won't mind if it is a hayrack,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, she's the same old Jane,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wonder if she has improved&mdash;got any prettier, I mean.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Prettier! What the deuce are you talking about?&rdquo; said Larry indignantly.
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;and be sure to ask her for her car.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that Mrs. Waring-Gaunt?&mdash;it's Nora speaking. I have the most
+      glorious news for you. Jane is coming!&mdash;You don't know Jane? My
+      friend, you know, in Winnipeg. You must have often heard me speak of her.&mdash;What?&mdash;Brown.&mdash;No,
+      Brown, B-r-o-w-n. And she's coming to-morrow.&mdash;No, her father is with
+      her.&mdash;Yes, Dr. Brown of Winnipeg.&mdash;Oh, yes. Isn't it splendid?&mdash;Three
+      days only, far too short. And we meet her to-morrow.&mdash;I beg your
+      pardon?&mdash;Sixteen-forty-five, she says, and she is always right. Oh, a
+      change in the time table is there?&mdash;Yes, I will hold on.&mdash;Sixteen-forty-five,
+      I might have known.&mdash;What do you say?&mdash;Oh, could you? Oh, dear
+      Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, how perfectly splendid of you! But are you sure you
+      can?&mdash;Oh, you are just lovely.&mdash;Yes, she has one trunk, but that
+      can come in the democrat. Oh, that is perfectly lovely! Thank you so much.
+      Good-bye.&mdash;What? Yes, oh, yes, certainly I must go.&mdash;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.&mdash;We
+      shall need to start about fifteen o'clock. Good-bye. Oh, how is Mr.
+      Romayne?&mdash;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.&mdash;I beg your
+      pardon?&mdash;Yes, she's here. Kathleen, you are wanted. Hurry up, don't
+      keep her waiting. Oh, isn't she a dear?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What does she want of me?&rdquo; said Kathleen, a flush coming to her cheek.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come and see,&rdquo; said Nora, covering the transmitter with her hand, &ldquo;and
+      don't keep her waiting. What is the matter with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Reluctantly Kathleen placed the receiver to her ear. &ldquo;Yes, Mrs.
+      Waring-Gaunt, it is Kathleen speaking.&mdash;Yes, thank you, quite well.&mdash;Oh,
+      I have been quite all right, a little shaken perhaps.&mdash;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.&mdash;I beg
+      your pardon?&mdash;Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. We thought he was doing
+      so well. What brought that on?&mdash;Blood-poisoning!&mdash;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.&mdash;Oh, I am so sorry to
+      hear that. Sleeplessness is so trying.&mdash;Yes&mdash;Yes&mdash;Oh, Mrs.
+      Waring-Gaunt, I am afraid I couldn't do that.&rdquo; Kathleen's face had flushed
+      bright crimson. &ldquo;But I am sure Mother would be so glad to go, and she is a
+      perfectly wonderful nurse. She knows just what to do.&mdash;Oh, I am
+      afraid not. Wait, please, a moment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What does she want?&rdquo; asked Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Kathleen covered the transmitter with her hand. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What nonsense, Kathleen!&rdquo; cried Nora impatiently. &ldquo;Why can't you go,
+      pray? Let me speak to her.&rdquo; She took the receiver from her sister's hand.
+      &ldquo;Yes, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, it is Nora.&mdash;I beg your pardon?&mdash;Oh,
+      yes, certainly, one of us will be glad to go.&mdash;No, no, certainly not.
+      I would not have Mr. Waring-Gaunt leave his work for the world.&mdash;I
+      know, I know, awfully slow for him. We had not heard of the change. It is
+      too bad.&mdash;Yes, surely one of us will be glad to come. We will fix it
+      up some way. Good-bye.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Nora hung up the receiver and turned fiercely upon her sister. &ldquo;Now, what
+      nonsense is this,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, my dear Nora,&rdquo; said her mother. &ldquo;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,&rdquo; continued the mother, turning to her elder daughter, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know it is, Mother dear,&rdquo; said Kathleen. &ldquo;But don't you think you would
+      be so much better?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, rubbish!&rdquo; cried Nora. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nora, dear, we won't discuss it,&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; she groaned, wringing her hands, &ldquo;I cannot do it. I cannot
+      look at him.&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;Oh, he cannot love me,&rdquo; she
+      cried to herself. &ldquo;I am sure he does not love me, and I just threw myself
+      at him.&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; she groaned, rubbing vigorously those
+      full red lips. &ldquo;I just kissed him.&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;But I loved it, I loved it; I am glad I did.&rdquo; Lying
+      there, she strove to recall in shameless abandon the sensation of those
+      ecstatic moments, whispering in passionate self-defiance, &ldquo;I don't care
+      what he thinks. I don't care if I was horrid. I am NOT sorry. Besides, he
+      looked so dreadful.&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;We are a little
+      anxious about him,&rdquo; his sister had said, and she had mentioned the word
+      &ldquo;blood-poisoning.&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;Well, you are a beauty, sure enough,&rdquo; she said,
+      addressing her swollen and disfigured countenance. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; &ldquo;Well, I do then.&rdquo; The
+      blue eyes looked back defiantly at her. &ldquo;Why? to help him? for his sake?
+      Come, the truth.&rdquo; &ldquo;Yes, for his sake, at least partly.&rdquo; &ldquo;And for your own
+      sake, too? Come now, none of that. Never mind the blushing.&rdquo; &ldquo;Yes, for my
+      own sake, too.&rdquo; &ldquo;Chiefly for your own sake?&rdquo; &ldquo;No, I do not think so.
+      Chiefly I wish to help him.&rdquo; &ldquo;Then why not go?&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;Why not go to him if you so desire to help him?&rdquo; &ldquo;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&mdash;oh,
+      then I never want to see him again, for he would pity me, and that I
+      cannot bear.&rdquo; &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+       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, &ldquo;Yes, I think I would be willing to do that for him, no
+      matter how it would shame me.&rdquo; Another heart-searching pause, and the eyes
+      answer her again, &ldquo;I will go to-morrow.&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;I wish it were
+      to-morrow now, this very minute.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;pale blue it
+      was with a dainty vine running through it&mdash;threw a wrap about her and
+      went out to her mother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am going up to the Waring-Gaunts', Mother. They might need me,&rdquo; she
+      said in a voice of such serene control that her mother only answered,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, dear, Larry will go with you. He will soon be in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is no need, Mother, I am not afraid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;Good-night,
+      then, darling; I am sure you will do them good.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is calling for you,&rdquo; she said to Mrs. Waring-Gaunt without preliminary
+      greeting. &ldquo;Let me take Doris.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But Doris set up a wail of such acute dismay that the distracted mother
+      said, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not going to sleep, Mamma,&rdquo; answered Doris emphatically. &ldquo;I am going
+      to keep awake, for if I go to sleep I know you will go away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, darling, Mother is going to stay with you,&rdquo; and she took the
+      little one in her arms, adding, &ldquo;Now we are all right, aren't we.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Kathleen ran downstairs, turned up the light in the living room and passed
+      quietly into the bedroom.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sorry to trouble you, Sybil, but there's something wrong with this
+      infernal bandage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Kathleen went and brought in the lamp. &ldquo;Your sister cannot leave Doris,
+      Mr. Romayne,&rdquo; she said quietly. &ldquo;Perhaps I can be of use.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      For a few moments the sick man gazed at her as at a vision. &ldquo;Is this
+      another of them?&rdquo; he said wearily. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Really me, Mr. Romayne,&rdquo; said the girl cheerfully. &ldquo;Let me look at your
+      arm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Excuse me just a moment,&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;Oh, God,&rdquo; she cried, lifting her hands high
+      above her head in appeal, &ldquo;help me to be strong and steady. He needs me
+      and he wants me too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank God,&rdquo; cried Jack. &ldquo;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?&rdquo; He raised
+      himself upon his arm, the weak voice raised to a pitiful appeal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It took all her own fortitude to keep her own voice steady. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He sank back quietly upon the pillow. &ldquo;Thank God. Anything under heaven I
+      promise if only you stay, Kathleen. You will stay, won't you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Didn't you hear me promise?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, yes,&rdquo; he said, a great relief in his tired face. &ldquo;All right, I am
+      good. But you have made me suffer, Kathleen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, then, no talk,&rdquo; said Kathleen. &ldquo;We will look at that arm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;You are awfully hot. I am going to sponge your
+      face a bit if you will let me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go on,&rdquo; he said gratefully, &ldquo;do anything you like if only you don't go
+      away again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, none of that. A nurse doesn't run away from her job, does she?&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, this is heavenly,&rdquo; he murmured. &ldquo;Now a drink, if you please. I
+      believe there is medicine about due too,&rdquo; he said. She gave him a drink,
+      lifting up his head on her strong arm. &ldquo;I could lift myself, you know,&rdquo; he
+      said, looking up into her face with a little smile, &ldquo;but I like this way
+      so much better if you don't mind.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly not; I am your nurse, you know,&rdquo; replied Kathleen. &ldquo;Now your
+      medicine.&rdquo; She found the bottle under his direction and, again lifting his
+      head, gave him his medicine.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, this is fine. I will take my medicine as often as you want me to, and
+      I think another drink would be good.&rdquo; She brought him the glass. &ldquo;I like
+      to drink slowly,&rdquo; he said, looking up into her eyes. But she shook her
+      head at him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No nonsense now,&rdquo; she warned him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nonsense!&rdquo; he said, sinking back with a sigh, &ldquo;I want you to believe me,
+      Kathleen, it is anything but nonsense. My God, it is religion!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now then,&rdquo; said Kathleen, ignoring his words, &ldquo;I shall just smooth out
+      your pillows and straighten down your bed, tuck you in and make you
+      comfortable for the night and then&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And then,&rdquo; he interrupted eagerly, &ldquo;oh, Kathleen, all good children get
+      it, you know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A deep flush tinged her face. &ldquo;Now you are not behaving properly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Kathleen,&rdquo; he cried, &ldquo;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&mdash;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.&rdquo; He raised himself up to
+      a sitting posture. &ldquo;Tell me, Kathleen; I must know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Jack,&rdquo; she panted. &ldquo;You are not yourself now. You are weak and just
+      imagine things.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Imagine things,&rdquo; he cried with a kind of fierce rage. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Suddenly the girl ceased her struggling. &ldquo;A little!&rdquo; she cried. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He put his strong arm round about her and drew her close. &ldquo;I can't half
+      hold you, darling,&rdquo; he said in her ear. &ldquo;This confounded arm of mine&mdash;but
+      you do it for me. Put your arms around me, sweetheart, and tell me that
+      you love me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      She wreathed her arms round about his neck and drew him close. &ldquo;Oh, Jack,&rdquo;
+       she said, &ldquo;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!&rdquo;
+       she said with a break in her voice and hiding her face upon his shoulder.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never mind, sweetheart, think of all the days before us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you sure, Jack?&rdquo; she whispered to him, still hiding her face. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; Her voice broke.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He turned her face up a little toward him. &ldquo;Look at me,&rdquo; he said. She
+      opened her eyes and, looking steadily into his, held them there. &ldquo;Say,
+      'Jack, I love you,'&rdquo; he whispered to her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A great flood of red blood rushed over her face, then faded, leaving her
+      white, but still her eyes held his fast. &ldquo;Jack,&rdquo; she whispered, &ldquo;my Jack,
+      I love you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Kathleen, dear heart,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;Oh,
+      Jack,&rdquo; she cried, &ldquo;I cannot think it is true. Are you sure? I could not
+      bear it if you were mistaken.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was the sound of a footstep on the stair. &ldquo;Let me go, Jack; there's
+      your sister coming. Quick! Lie down.&rdquo; Hurriedly, she began once more to
+      bathe his face as Mrs. Waring-Gaunt came in.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is he resting?&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Why, Jack, you seem quite feverish. Did you
+      give him his medicine?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, about an hour ago, I think.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;An hour! Why, before you came upstairs? How long have you been in?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, no, immediately after I came down,&rdquo; said the girl in confusion. &ldquo;I
+      don't know how long ago. I didn't look at the time.&rdquo; She busied herself
+      straightening the bed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sybil, she doesn't know how long ago,&rdquo; said Jack. &ldquo;She's been behaving as
+      I never have heard of any properly trained nurse behaving. She's been
+      kissing me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Jack,&rdquo; gasped Kathleen, flushing furiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Kissing you!&rdquo; exclaimed Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, looking from one to the other.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and I have been kissing her,&rdquo; continued Jack shamelessly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Jack,&rdquo; again gasped Kathleen, looking at Mrs. Waring-Gaunt
+      beseechingly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; continued Jack in a voice of triumph, &ldquo;and we are going to do it
+      right along every day and all day long with suitable pauses for other
+      duties and pleasures.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you darling,&rdquo; exclaimed Mrs. Waring-Gaunt rushing at her. &ldquo;I am so
+      glad. Well, you are a 'wunner' as the Marchioness says. I had thought&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;and please don't hurry. My nurse is perfectly competent
+      to take care of me in the meantime.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XV
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE COMING OF JANE
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let me talk to him,&rdquo; said Nora impatiently. &ldquo;I know Mr. Field.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;An accident!&rdquo; exclaimed Nora. &ldquo;Why, we are expecting&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo; At this point
+      the telegraph instrument clicked. &ldquo;Just a minute, Miss Nora, there may be
+      something on the wire.&rdquo; With his fingers on the key he executed some
+      mysterious prestidigitations, wrote down some words, and came to the
+      wicket again. &ldquo;Funny,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;it is a wire for you, Miss Nora.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Nora took the yellow slip and read: &ldquo;Delayed by derailed freight. Time of
+      arrival uncertain. Very sorry, Jane.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you think of this?&rdquo; cried Nora, carrying the telegram out to the
+      car. &ldquo;Isn't it perfectly exasperating? That takes off one of their
+      nights.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where is the accident?&rdquo; inquired Mrs. Waring-Gaunt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just above Fairfield.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let her go,&rdquo; cried Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      And Mrs. Waring-Gaunt &ldquo;let her go&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane, Jane, Jane,&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;Come on,&rdquo;
+       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. &ldquo;Jane, Jane,&rdquo; exclaimed Larry.
+      &ldquo;You are looking splendidly. Do you know,&rdquo; he added in a low voice, &ldquo;I
+      should love to kiss you right here. May I? Look at all the people; they
+      would enjoy it so much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The girl jerked away her hands, the blood showing dully under her brown
+      skin. &ldquo;Stop it, you silly boy. Is that Nora? Yes, it is.&rdquo; She waved her
+      hand wildly at Nora, who was struggling frantically with the barbed wire
+      fence. &ldquo;Wait, I am coming, Nora,&rdquo; cried Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, this is Jane,&rdquo; cried Nora. &ldquo;Mrs. Waring-Gaunt has come
+      to meet you and take you home,&rdquo; she added to Jane. &ldquo;You know we have no
+      car of our own.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you do,&rdquo; said Jane, smiling at Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;I can't get at
+      you very well just now. It was very kind of you to come for us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And she has left her brother very sick at home,&rdquo; said Nora in a low
+      voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We won't keep you waiting,&rdquo; said Jane, beginning to scramble up the bank
+      again. &ldquo;Come, Larry, I shall get father and you shall help with our
+      things.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Right you are,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Met your friends, I see, Miss Brown,&rdquo; said the handsome giant. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I am awfully glad,&rdquo; said Jane, giving him such a delighted smile
+      that he shook his head disconsolately.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No need telling me that. Say,&rdquo; he added in an undertone, &ldquo;that's your
+      friend Nora, ain't it? Stunning girl. Introduce me, won't you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo; The young man
+      shook hands with cordial frankness, Larry with suspicion in his heart.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let me have your check, Jane, and I will go and get your trunk,&rdquo; said
+      Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, you come with me, Larry,&rdquo; said Jane decidedly. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Gladly, Miss Brown. No, I mean with the deepest pain and regret,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane, have you any idea how glad I am to see you?&rdquo; demanded Larry as they
+      passed into the car.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane's radiant smile transformed her face. &ldquo;Yes, I think so,&rdquo; she said
+      simply. &ldquo;But we must hurry. Oh, here is Papa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Dr. Brown hailed Larry with acclaim. &ldquo;This is very kind of you, my dear
+      boy; you have saved us a tedious wait.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We must hurry, Papa,&rdquo; said Jane, cutting him short. &ldquo;Mrs. Waring-Gaunt,
+      who has come for us in her car, has left her brother ill at home.&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;Thank you, porter,&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;Good-bye,
+      porter; you have made us very comfortable,&rdquo; said Jane, shaking hands with
+      him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wonder what is keeping Mr. Wakeham,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;I am very sorry to
+      keep you waiting, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. Larry, would you mind?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly not,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am quite sure it is there,&rdquo; said Jane, setting off herself for the car,
+      the crestfallen Mr. Wakeham and the porter following behind her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At the door of the car the baggage man met her with regretful apologies.
+      &ldquo;The trunk must have been left behind.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He was brusquely informed by Jane that she had seen it put on board.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then it must have been put off by mistake at Calgary?&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;We have turned the blasted car upside down,&rdquo;
+       said the latter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Impossible?&rdquo; exclaimed Jane, who had been exploring the dark recesses of
+      the car. &ldquo;Why, here it is, I knew it was here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hurrah,&rdquo; cried Larry, &ldquo;we have got it anyway.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane's a wonder,&rdquo; confided Larry to Mr. Wakeham.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She sure is,&rdquo; said that young man. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You just wait till she smiles her farewell at him,&rdquo; said Larry, hugely
+      enjoying the prospect.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Together they stood awaiting the occurrence of this phenomenon.
+      &ldquo;Gosh-a-mighty, look at him,&rdquo; murmured Mr. Wakeham. &ldquo;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,&rdquo; he
+      continued with a shyness not usual with him, &ldquo;would you mind introducing
+      me to the party?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come along,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The introduction, however, was performed by Jane, who apparently
+      considered Mr. Wakeham as being under her protection. &ldquo;Mrs. Waring-Gaunt,
+      this is Mr. Wakeham. Mr. Wakeham is from Chicago, but,&rdquo; she hastened to
+      add, &ldquo;he knows some friends of ours in Winnipeg.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you see I am fairly respectable,&rdquo; said Mr. Wakeham, shaking hand with
+      Mrs. Waring-Gaunt and Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When the laughter had ceased, Mr. Wakeham said, &ldquo;If your car were only a
+      shade larger I should beg hospitality along with Dr. and Miss Brown.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Room on the top,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt with a smile, &ldquo;but it seems the
+      only place left. You are just passing through, Mr. Wakeham?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I am going on to Manor Mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, that's only twenty miles down the line.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then may I run up to see you?&rdquo; eagerly asked Mr. Wakeham.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, we shall be delighted to see you,&rdquo; said the lady.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Count on me, then,&rdquo; said the delighted Mr. Wakeham, lifting his hat in
+      farewell.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Dr. Brown took his place in the front seat beside Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, the
+      three young people occupying the seat in the rear.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is he?&rdquo; asked Larry when they had finally got under way.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo; said Jane, appealing to her father.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Fine young chap,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown with emphasis. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now tell me,&rdquo; said Larry to Jane at the first real opening that offered,
+      &ldquo;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!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see Papa is on his way to Banff,&rdquo; explained Jane, &ldquo;and then he goes
+      to the coast and he only has a short time. So we could plan only for three
+      days here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We can plan better than that,&rdquo; said Larry confidently, &ldquo;but never mind
+      just now. We shall settle that to-morrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don't tell me,&rdquo; cried Larry. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ethel May. Oh, she is married too, in your old home, to Ben&mdash;somebody.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ben, big Ben Hopper? Why, think of that kid married.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She is just my age,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And Mr. and Mrs. Sleighter,&rdquo; said Jane, continuing her narrative, &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Dr. Brown suddenly waked up. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't think of it,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know, Jane,&rdquo; continued Dr. Brown, &ldquo;that at this present moment you
+      are passing through scenery of its kind unsurpassed possibly in the
+      world?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was talking to Larry, Papa,&rdquo; said Jane, and they all laughed at her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was talking to Jane,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But look at this world about you,&rdquo; continued her father, &ldquo;and look, do
+      look at the moon coming up behind you away at the prairie rim.&rdquo; They all
+      turned about except Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, whose eyes were glued to the two
+      black ruts before her cutting through the grass. &ldquo;Oh, wonderful,
+      wonderful,&rdquo; breathed Dr. Brown. &ldquo;Would it be possible to pause, Mrs.
+      Waring-Gaunt, at the top of this rise?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, &ldquo;but at the top of the rise beyond, where
+      you will get the full sweep of the country in both directions.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that where we get your lake, Nora,&rdquo; inquired Jane, &ldquo;and the valley
+      beyond up to the mountains?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you know?&rdquo; said Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I remember Larry told me once,&rdquo; she said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's the spot,&rdquo; said Nora. &ldquo;But don't look around now. Wait until you
+      are told.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Papa,&rdquo; said Jane in a quiet, matter-of-fact voice, &ldquo;what is it that Tom
+      is doing?&rdquo; Larry shouted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tom, what Tom? Jane, my dear,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown in a pained voice, &ldquo;does
+      Tom matter much or any one else in the midst of all this glory?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think so, Papa,&rdquo; said Jane firmly. &ldquo;You matter, don't you? Everybody
+      matters. Besides, we were told not to look until we reached the top.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Jane, you are an incorrigible Philistine,&rdquo; said her father, &ldquo;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?&rdquo; Again they all laughed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't see what you are all laughing at,&rdquo; said Jane, and lapsed into
+      silence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now then,&rdquo; cried Nora, &ldquo;in three minutes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At the top of the long, gently rising hill the motor pulled up, purring
+      softly. They all stood up and gazed around about them. &ldquo;Look back,&rdquo;
+       commanded Nora. &ldquo;It is fifty miles to that prairie rim there.&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;Now look this
+      way,&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;That's our lake,&rdquo; said Nora, &ldquo;with our house
+      just behind it in the woods. And nearer in that little bluff is Mrs.
+      Waring-Gaunts home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Papa,&rdquo; said Jane softly, &ldquo;we must not keep Mrs. Waring-Gaunt.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, Jane,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;I fear I must go on.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't you love it?&rdquo; inquired Larry enthusiastically and with a touch of
+      impatience in his voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, it is lovely,&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Jane, you will not get wild over it,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In a few minutes the car stopped at the door of Mrs. Waring-Gaunt's house.
+      &ldquo;I shall just run in for a moment,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;Kathleen will
+      want to see you, and perhaps will go home with you. I shall send her out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;Oh, Dr. Brown,&rdquo; she cried, &ldquo;it is
+      so good to see you here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But my dear girl, my dear girl, how wonderful you look! Why, you have
+      actually grown more beautiful than when we saw you last!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, thank you, Dr. Brown. And there is Jane,&rdquo; cried Kathleen, running
+      around to the other side of the car. &ldquo;It is so lovely to see you and so
+      good of you to come to us,&rdquo; she continued, putting her arms around Jane
+      and kissing her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wanted to come, you know,&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, it is Jane's fault entirely,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And as usual Jane was right,&rdquo; said Larry with emphasis.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Kathleen, &ldquo;Jane was right. Jane is a dear to think that way
+      about us. Dr. Brown,&rdquo; continued Kathleen with a note of anxiety in her
+      voice, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+       Kathleen's face was flushed and her words flowed in a hurried stream.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all, not at all,&rdquo; answered the doctor, rising hastily from the
+      motor and going in with Kathleen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Larry,&rdquo; breathed Jane in a rapture of delight, &ldquo;isn't she lovely,
+      isn't she lovely? I had no idea she was so perfectly lovely.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Jane, you are funny,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;You rave and go wild over
+      Kathleen, and yet you keep quite cool over that most wonderful view.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;View!&rdquo; said Jane contemptuously. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are they?&rdquo; said Larry dubiously. &ldquo;Not so lovely, sometimes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some people,&rdquo; insisted Jane, &ldquo;are more wonderful than all the Rocky
+      Mountains together. Look at Kathleen,&rdquo; she cried triumphantly. &ldquo;You could
+      not love that old mountain there, could you? But, Kathleen&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't know about that,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;Dear old thing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell me how Mr. Romayne was hurt,&rdquo; said Jane, changing the subject.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think his arm will ever be all right?&rdquo; she inquired anxiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We do not know yet,&rdquo; said Nora sombrely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nonsense,&rdquo; interrupted Larry sharply. &ldquo;His arm will be perfectly all
+      right. You people make me tired with your passion for horrors and possible
+      horrors.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Nora was about to make a hot reply when Jane inquired quietly, &ldquo;What does
+      the doctor say? He ought to know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's just it,&rdquo; said Nora. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We can trust Mrs. Waring-Gaunt for the first,&rdquo; said Larry with
+      confidence, &ldquo;and mother for the second.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We greatly appreciate your kindness, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown,
+      bowing courteously over her hand. &ldquo;I shall look in upon your brother
+      to-morrow morning. I hardly think there is any great cause for anxiety.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good-night,&rdquo; said Jane, her rare smile illuminating her dark face. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, my dear,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;I should be glad to have
+      you come over to us. I am sure my brother would be glad to know you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think so,&rdquo; said Jane doubtfully. &ldquo;You know I am not very clever. I
+      am not like Kathleen or Nora.&rdquo; The deep blue eyes looked wistfully at her
+      out of the plain little face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am perfectly certain he would love to know you, Jane&mdash;if I may
+      call you so,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, impulsively kissing her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you are so kind,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;I will come then to-morrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The welcome to the Gwynne home was without fuss or effusiveness but had
+      the heart quality that needs no noisy demonstration.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We are glad to have you with us at Lakeside Farm,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne
+      heartily, as he ushered Dr. Brown and Jane into the big living room, where
+      his wife stood waiting.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are welcome to us, Dr. Brown,&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you may be quite sure, Mrs. Gwynne,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown heartily, &ldquo;that
+      Larry brought his welcome with him, and as for Kathleen, we regard her as
+      one of our family.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And this is Jane,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne. &ldquo;Dear child, you have grown. But you
+      have not changed. Come away to your room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;No,&rdquo; she said again with a little sigh of relief, &ldquo;you
+      have not changed. You are the same dear, wise girl I learned to love in
+      Winnipeg.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I am glad you think I am not changed, Mrs. Gwynne,&rdquo; said Jane, with a
+      glow of light in her dark blue eyes. &ldquo;I do not like people to change and I
+      would hate to have you think me changed. I know,&rdquo; she added shyly, &ldquo;I feel
+      just the same toward you and the others here. But oh, how lovely they are,
+      both Kathleen and Nora.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are good girls,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne quietly, &ldquo;and they have proved
+      good girls to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know, I know,&rdquo; said Jane, with impulsive fervour, &ldquo;and through those
+      winters and all. Oh, they were so splendid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said the mother, &ldquo;they never failed, and Larry too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, indeed,&rdquo; cried Jane with increasing ardour, her eyes shining, &ldquo;with
+      his teaching,&mdash;going there through the awful cold,&mdash;lighting the
+      school fires,&mdash;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,&rdquo; added Jane with something of a sigh.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know, that is just the way I feel, Mrs. Gwynne,&rdquo; said Jane,
+      putting the final touch to her toilet. &ldquo;I seem to know the house, and
+      everything and everybody about it. Nora is such a splendid correspondent,
+      you see.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, dear child, we hope the days you spend here will always be a very
+      bright spot in your life,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne as they entered the living
+      room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVI
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      HOSPITALITY WITHOUT GRUDGING
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your habit will be too big for me, Nora, I am afraid,&rdquo; she said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Habit!&rdquo; cried Nora. &ldquo;My pants, you mean. You can pull them up, you know.
+      There they are.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pants!&rdquo; gasped Jane. &ldquo;Pants! Nora, pants! Do you mean to say you wear
+      these things where all the men will see you?&rdquo; Even in the seclusion of her
+      bedroom Jane's face at the thought went a fiery red. Nora laughed at her
+      scornfully. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But Nora derided her scruples. &ldquo;Why, Jane, we all wear them here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Does Kathleen?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course she does, and Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, and everybody.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, she might, but I am sure your mother would not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Nora shouted joyfully. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Nora, they are just terrible,&rdquo; said Jane, almost in tears. &ldquo;I know I
+      will just squat down if Larry looks at me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In face of many protests Jane was at length arrayed in her riding apparel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, you look perfectly stunning,&rdquo; said Nora. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane walked across the room and Nora rocked in laughter. &ldquo;Oh, Nora, I will
+      just take them off. You are as mean as you can be. I will pull them off.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not a bit,&rdquo; said Nora, still laughing, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good morning, my dear,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne, kissing her. &ldquo;You will need
+      something before you ride. You will have breakfast after your return.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane went close to her and stood beside her, still blushing. &ldquo;Oh, thank
+      you,&rdquo; she cried, &ldquo;I am really hungry already. I hope I won't get killed. I
+      never was on a horse before, you know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At this point Larry came in. &ldquo;Well, Jane, all ready? Good for you. I like
+      a girl that is always on time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you like her pants, Larry?&rdquo; said Nora, wickedly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perfectly splendiferous,&rdquo; cried Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you mean thing, Nora,&rdquo; cried Jane, dropping hurriedly into a chair
+      with scarlet face and indignant eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They all passed out into the front yard to see Jane mount and take her
+      first lesson.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is Polly,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do I do?&rdquo; said Jane, gazing fearfully at the fat and shapeless
+      Polly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is just one rule in learning to ride,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;step on and
+      stick there. Polly will look after the rest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Step on&mdash;it is easy to say, but&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This way,&rdquo; said Nora. She seized hold of the horn of the saddle, put her
+      foot into the stirrup and sprang upon Polly's back. &ldquo;Oh, there's where the
+      pants come in,&rdquo; she added as her dress caught on to the rear of the
+      saddle. &ldquo;Now up you go. Make up your mind you are going to DO it, not
+      going to TRY.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;stepped on.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello!&rdquo; cried Nora, running out to meet them. &ldquo;Why, Jane, you have been
+      fooling us all along. You needn't tell me this is your first ride.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My very first,&rdquo; said Jane, &ldquo;but I hope not my last.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, my dear,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne, who had also come out to see the return,
+      &ldquo;you are doing famously.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Am I?&rdquo; cried Jane, her face aglow and her eyes shining. &ldquo;I think it is
+      splendid. Shall we ride again to-day, Larry?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Right away after breakfast and all day long if you like. You are a born
+      horsewoman, Jane.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Weren't you afraid when Polly ran off with you like that?&rdquo; inquired Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Afraid? I didn't know there was any danger. Was there any?&rdquo; inquired
+      Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not a bit,&rdquo; said Nora, &ldquo;so long as you kept your head.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But there really was no danger, was there, Larry?&rdquo; insisted Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;None at all, Jane,&rdquo; said Nora, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And so am I,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;I haven't been so hungry I don't know when.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, she's not plain-looking after all,&rdquo; said Nora to her mother as Jane
+      strode manlike off to her room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Plain-looking?&rdquo; exclaimed her mother. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It appears to me, Miss Nora,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown after a somewhat prolonged
+      discussion, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At the very least,&rdquo; cried Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So what are we going to do?&rdquo; said the doctor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then that's all settled,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;Now what's for to-day?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As if in answer to that question a honk of a motor car was heard outside.
+      Nora rushed to the door, saying, &ldquo;That's Mrs. Waring-Gaunt.&rdquo; But she
+      returned hastily with heightened colour.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Larry,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;it's that Mr. Wakeham.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wakeham,&rdquo; cried Larry. &ldquo;What's got him up so early, I wonder?&rdquo; with a
+      swift look at Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wonder,&rdquo; said Nora, giving Jane a little dig.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought I would just run up and see if you had all got home safely last
+      night,&rdquo; they heard his great voice booming outside to Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My, but he is anxious,&rdquo; said Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But who is he, Nora?&rdquo; inquired her mother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A friend of Jane's, and apparently terribly concerned about her welfare.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Stop, Nora,&rdquo; said Jane, flushing a fiery red. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We shall be very glad to have him stay with us, my dear,&rdquo; said Mrs.
+      Gwynne. &ldquo;Go and bring him in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go on, Jane,&rdquo; said Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, Nora, stop it,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;I will get really cross with you. Hush,
+      there he is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The young man seemed to fill up the door with his bulk. &ldquo;Mr. Wakeham,&rdquo;
+       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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you will pardon my coming here so early in the morning,&rdquo; he said
+      with an embarrassed air. &ldquo;I have the honour of knowing your guests.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Any friend of our guests is very welcome here, Mr. Wakeham,&rdquo; said Mrs.
+      Gwynne, smiling at him with gentle dignity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good morning, Mr. Wakeham,&rdquo; said Jane, coming forward with outstretched
+      hand. &ldquo;You are very early in your calls. You could not have slept very
+      much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, indeed,&rdquo; replied Mr. Wakeham, &ldquo;and that is one reason why I waked so
+      early. My bed was not so terribly attractive.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; exclaimed Nora in a disappointed tone, as she shook hands with him,
+      &ldquo;we thought you were anxious to see us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite right,&rdquo; said the young man, holding her hand and looking boldly
+      into her eyes. &ldquo;I have come to see you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Mother, you go. It is such a lovely day,&rdquo; said Nora
+      enthusiastically, &ldquo;and Jane can go with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane is going riding,&rdquo; said Larry firmly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am going to Mrs. Waring-Gaunt's,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;I arranged with her last
+      night.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      While they were settling Mrs. Gwynne's protests, and covered by the noise
+      of conversation, Mr. Wakeham managed to get close to Nora. &ldquo;I want you to
+      come,&rdquo; he said in a low voice. &ldquo;That's what I came for.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Startled and confused by this extraordinary announcement, Nora could think
+      of no answer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think you were to show me the mine,&rdquo; he added. Then while Nora gasped
+      at him, he said aloud, &ldquo;My car is a seven passenger, so we can take quite
+      a party.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why not Kathleen?&rdquo; suggested Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, indeed, Kathleen might like to go,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then let's all go,&rdquo; cried Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you awfully,&rdquo; murmured Mr. Wakeham. &ldquo;We shall only be two or three
+      hours at most,&rdquo; continued Nora. &ldquo;We shall be back in time for lunch.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For that matter,&rdquo; said Mr. Gwynne, &ldquo;we can lunch at the mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Splendid,&rdquo; cried Nora. &ldquo;Come along. We'll run up with you to the
+      Waring-Gaunts' for Kathleen,&rdquo; she added to Mr. Wakeham.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now then,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, &ldquo;you have your full party, Mr. Wakeham&mdash;Mr.
+      and Mrs. Gwynne, Dr. Brown, and the three girls.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What about me?&rdquo; said Larry dolefully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall stay with you,&rdquo; cried Nora, evading Mr. Wakeham's eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Nora,&rdquo; said Jane in a voice of quiet decision. &ldquo;Last night Mrs.
+      Waring-Gaunt and I arranged that I should visit her to-day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;I want to stay with you to-day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, dear,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;Stay you shall.&rdquo; And, then to
+      the company announced, &ldquo;We have it all arranged. Jane and I are to have a
+      visit together. The rest of you go off.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And what about me, Jane?&rdquo; again said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are going with the others,&rdquo; said Jane calmly, &ldquo;and in the afternoon
+      we are to have our ride.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And this is Jane,&rdquo; said Jack Romayne as Mrs. Waring-Gaunt ushered the
+      girl into his room. &ldquo;If half of what I have heard is true then I am a
+      lucky man to-day. Kathleen has been telling me about you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane's smile expressed her delight. &ldquo;I think I could say the same of you,
+      Mr. Romayne.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What? Has Kathleen been talking about me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I have not seen Kathleen since I came, but there are others, you
+      know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are there?&rdquo; asked Jack. &ldquo;I hadn't noticed. But I know all about you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still upon Kathleen?&rdquo; inquired Mrs. Waring-Gaunt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I am learning a great deal and enjoying myself immensely,&rdquo; said Jack.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane opened her eyes. &ldquo;I have not told Jane yet, Sybil,&rdquo; said Jack
+      quietly. &ldquo;She doesn't know, though perhaps she has guessed how dear to me
+      Kathleen is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Had you not heard?&rdquo; inquired Mrs. Waring-Gaunt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I only came last night, you see.&rdquo; Then turning to Jack, she added,
+      &ldquo;And is&mdash;is Kathleen going to marry you?&rdquo; Her astonishment was
+      evident in her voice and eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope so,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;and you are no more astonished than I am myself.
+      I only found it out night before last.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well?&rdquo; said Jack after he had waited for some moments.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I beg your pardon,&rdquo; she said hurriedly. &ldquo;I congratulate you. I think
+      you are a very lucky man.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am, indeed,&rdquo; said Jack with emphasis. &ldquo;And Kathleen? You are not so
+      sure about her luck?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I don't know you yet,&rdquo; said Jane gravely, &ldquo;and Kathleen is a very
+      lovely girl, the very loveliest girl I know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are quite right,&rdquo; said Jack in a tone as grave as her own. &ldquo;I am not
+      good enough for her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo; Jane's face was
+      earnest and grave.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And so do I, Jane, if I may call you so,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;and I am going to
+      try to be worthy of her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it, Jane?&rdquo; he said gently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane started and the blood rushed to her face. She hesitated, then said
+      quietly but with charming frankness, &ldquo;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&mdash;&rdquo; Jane paused abruptly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Waring-Gaunt rose quietly, came to her side. &ldquo;Dear Jane, dear child,&rdquo;
+       she said, kissing her. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But Jack kept his face turned away from them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt,&rdquo; cried Jane, shaking her head emphatically, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No? What are some of the other points?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We agree splendidly about Kathleen,&rdquo; said Jane, laughing. &ldquo;Just now we
+      differ about Germany.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aha, how is that?&rdquo; inquired Jack, immediately alert.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Jane, Jane,&rdquo; cried Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, &ldquo;you have struck upon a very
+      sore spot in this house. Jack will indorse all your minister said. He will
+      doubtless go much further.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What did he say, Jane?&rdquo; inquired Jack.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's politics, of course,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, &ldquo;and I do not know
+      what you are.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not sure that I do either,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;but I believe too that
+      Canada ought to get at her fleet without loss of time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But what did he say about Germany?&rdquo; continued Jack.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you think about it all, Jane?&rdquo; inquired Jack, looking at her
+      curiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, if it won't bore you,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;I shall tell you a few things.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then excuse me,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;I have some matters to attend
+      to. I have no doubt that you at least, Jack, will have a perfectly lovely
+      time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sure I shall too,&rdquo; cried Jane enthusiastically. &ldquo;I just want to hear
+      about this.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you please pass me that green book?&rdquo; said Jack, after Mrs.
+      Waring-Gaunt had left the room. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; He turned the leaves of the book and
+      read:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'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.'
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;One of their poets&mdash;I haven't got him here&mdash;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:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'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.'
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here's another choice bit:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'We are the superior race in the fields of science and of art. We are the
+      best colonists, the best sailors, the best merchants.'
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;just hand me that thin book, please. Thank you&mdash;the
+      Kaiser has changed his tone. For instance, listen to this:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'God has called us to civilise the world. We are the missionaries of
+      human progress.'
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And again this:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'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.'
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do, a little. But I confess I prefer the English,&rdquo; said Jane with a
+      little laugh.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;but
+      perhaps you are sick of this.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all. I am very greatly interested,&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'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.'&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be very glad to get those books,&rdquo; said Jane, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can quite understand that,&rdquo; replied Jack. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You lived in Germany for some years?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, for a number of years.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And did you like the life there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In many ways I did. I met some charming Germans, and then there is always
+      their superb music.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Before either of them was aware the party from the mine had returned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have had a perfectly glorious time,&rdquo; cried Nora as she entered the
+      room with her cheeks and eyes glowing.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So have we, Miss Nora,&rdquo; said Jack. &ldquo;In fact, I had not the slightest idea
+      of the flight of time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may say so,&rdquo; exclaimed Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane stood by listening with a smile of frank delight on her face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How did you do it, Jane?&rdquo; asked Kathleen shyly. &ldquo;He has never told me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I just listened,&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's a nasty jar for you others,&rdquo; said Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But he told me something else, Kathleen,&rdquo; said Jane with a bright blush,
+      &ldquo;and I am awfully glad.&rdquo; As she spoke she went around to Kathleen and,
+      kissing her, said, &ldquo;It is perfectly lovely for you both.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you really mean that, do you?&rdquo; said Jack. &ldquo;You know she was
+      exceedingly dubious of me this morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I am not now,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;I know you better, you see.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank God,&rdquo; said Jack fervently. &ldquo;The day has not been lost. You will be
+      sure to come again to see me,&rdquo; he added as Jane said good-bye.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, indeed, you may be quite sure of that,&rdquo; replied Jane, smiling
+      brightly back at him as she left the room with Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What a pity she is so plain,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt when she had
+      returned from seeing Jane on her way with Nora and Mr. Wakeham.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear Sybil, you waste your pity,&rdquo; said her brother. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I just love her,&rdquo; said Kathleen. &ldquo;She has such a good heart.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have said it,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, &ldquo;and that is why Jane will
+      never lose her charm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE TRAGEDIES OF LOVE
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;done the
+      mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To-morrow,&rdquo; said Larry solemnly, &ldquo;no matter what happens we shall have
+      you see that mine and the wonderful Mr. Switzer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We are only beginning,&rdquo; said Switzer again, &ldquo;but I believe we shall have
+      a great mine. It will be a good thing&mdash;for the Gwynnes, I mean&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is,&rdquo; replied Jane, slightly puzzled at this altruistic point of view;
+      &ldquo;The Gwynnes are dear people and I am glad for their sakes. I love them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; continued Switzer, &ldquo;this will be a great mine. They will be wealthy
+      some day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will be splendid,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Switzer looked puzzled. &ldquo;Happy? Because you are here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, no. Because of her engagement. Haven't you heard? I thought everybody
+      knew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Switzer stood still in his tracks. &ldquo;Her engagement?&rdquo; he said in a hushed
+      voice. &ldquo;Her engagement to&mdash;to that&rdquo;&mdash;he could not apparently get
+      the word out without a great effort&mdash;&ldquo;that Englishman?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, to Mr. Romayne,&rdquo; she said, and waited, almost holding her breath.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is not true!&rdquo; he shouted. &ldquo;It's a lie. Ha, Ha.&rdquo; Switzer's laugh was
+      full of incredulous scorn. &ldquo;Engaged? And how do YOU know?&rdquo; He swung
+      fiercely upon her, his eyes glaring out of a face ghastly white.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry I said anything, Mr. Switzer. It was not my business to speak
+      of it,&rdquo; said Jane quietly. &ldquo;But I thought you knew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Gradually the thing seemed to reach his mind. &ldquo;Your business?&rdquo; he said.
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo; He seized her by the
+      arm, and at each &ldquo;Tell me&rdquo; shook her violently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are hurting me, Mr. Switzer,&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He dropped her arm. &ldquo;Then, my God, will you not tell me? How do you know?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Switzer, believe me it is true,&rdquo; said Jane, trying to speak quietly,
+      though she was shaking with excitement and terror. &ldquo;Mr. Romayne told me,
+      they all told me, Kathleen told me. It is quite true, Mr. Switzer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall we walk on this way?&rdquo; she said, touching his arm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She loves him?&rdquo; he said in a low husky voice. &ldquo;You say she loves him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Mr. Switzer, she loves him,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;She cannot help herself. No
+      one can help one's self. You must not blame her for that, Mr. Switzer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She does not love me,&rdquo; said Switzer as if stunned by the utterly
+      inexplicable phenomenon. &ldquo;But she did once,&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;She did before
+      that schwein came.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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!&rdquo; He gnashed his teeth upon the word.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Stop, Mr. Switzer,&rdquo; said Jane, controlling her agitation and her terror.
+      &ldquo;You must not speak to me like that. You are forgetting yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Forgetting myself!&rdquo; he raged, his face livid blue and white. &ldquo;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,&rdquo; he
+      struck his head with his clenched fist, &ldquo;I shall still remember and curse
+      him.&rdquo; Abruptly he stayed the rush of his words. Then more deliberately but
+      with an added intensity of passion he continued, &ldquo;But no, never shall he
+      have her. Never. God hears me. Never. Him I will kill, destroy.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have lost her,&rdquo; he said, his lips quivering. &ldquo;She will never change.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, she will never change,&rdquo; replied Jane gently. &ldquo;But you can always love
+      her. And she will be happy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She will be happy?&rdquo; he exclaimed, looking at her in astonishment. &ldquo;But
+      she will not be mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, she will not be yours,&rdquo; said Jane still very gently, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then don't grieve too much,&rdquo; said Jane, putting her hand on his arm. &ldquo;She
+      will be happy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But what of me?&rdquo; he cried pitifully, his voice and lips trembling like
+      those of a little child in distress. &ldquo;Shall I be happy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, not now,&rdquo; replied Jane steadily, striving to keep back her tears,
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;But my God! My
+      God! I want her. I cannot live without her. I could make her happy too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, never,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;She loves him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ach&mdash;so. Yes, she loves him, and I&mdash;hate him. He is the cause
+      of this. Some day I will kill him. I will kill him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then she would never be happy again,&rdquo; said Jane, and her face was full of
+      pain and of pity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go away,&rdquo; he said harshly. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; He
+      lifted his hands high above his head. Then with a despairing cry, &ldquo;Oh, I
+      have lost her, I have lost her,&rdquo; he turned from Jane and rushed into the
+      woods.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where's Ernest?&rdquo; inquired Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He has just gone,&rdquo; said Jane, struggling to speak quietly. &ldquo;I think we
+      must hurry, Larry. Come, please. Good-bye, Mr. Steinberg.&rdquo; She hurried
+      away toward the horses, leaving Larry to follow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it, Jane?&rdquo; said Larry when they were on their way.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why didn't you tell me, Larry, that he was fond of Kathleen?&rdquo; she cried
+      indignantly. &ldquo;I hurt him terribly, and, oh, it was awful to see a man like
+      that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you say? Did he cut up rough?&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane made no reply, but her face told its own story of shock and
+      suffering.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He need not have let out upon you, Jane, anyway,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't, Larry. You don't understand. He loves Kathleen. You don't know
+      anything about it. How can you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, he will get over it in time,&rdquo; said Larry with a slight laugh.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane flashed on him a look of indignation. &ldquo;Oh, how can you, Larry? It was
+      just terrible to see him. But you do not know,&rdquo; she added with a touch of
+      bitterness unusual with her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;One thing I do know,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;I would not pour out my grief on some
+      one else. I would try to keep it to myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;I have lost her, I have lost her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But that is our very last day, Nora,&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, that's just why,&rdquo; replied Nora. &ldquo;We shall wind up our festivities
+      in one grand, glorious finale.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But the wise mother interposed. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope, my dear Jane, you have enjoyed your stay with us here at Wolf
+      Willow,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt as Jane was saying good-bye.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have been very happy,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;Never in my life have I had such a
+      happy time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now it is good of you to say that,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;You have
+      made us all love you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite true,&rdquo; said her husband. &ldquo;Repetition of the great Caesar's
+      experience veni vidi vici, eh? What?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So say I,&rdquo; said Jack Romayne. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have all been good to me. I cannot tell you how I feel about it.&rdquo;
+       Jane's voice was a little tremulous, but her smile was as bright as ever.
+      &ldquo;I don't believe I shall ever have such a perfectly happy visit again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What nonsense, my dear,&rdquo; said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;I predict many, many
+      very happy days for you. You have that beautiful gift of bringing your joy
+      with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jack accompanied them on their way to the road. &ldquo;Kathleen and I are hoping
+      that perhaps you may be able to come to our wedding. It will be very soon&mdash;in
+      a few weeks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, could you, Jane, dear?&rdquo; said Kathleen. &ldquo;We should like it above
+      everything else. I know it is a long, long journey, but if you could.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When is it to be?&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Somewhere about the middle of October.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid not,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; A sudden rush of tears filled the deep
+      dark eyes as she shook hands with Jack in farewell. &ldquo;But,&rdquo; she cried in
+      sudden rapture, &ldquo;why not come to us for a day on your wedding trip?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's a splendid idea.&rdquo; For a moment or two Jack and Kathleen stood
+      looking at each other.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane, we shall surely come. You may count on us,&rdquo; said Jack.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the afternoon Mrs. Gwynne sent Jane away for a ride with Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just go quietly, Larry,&rdquo; said his mother. &ldquo;Don't race and don't tire
+      Jane.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will take care of her,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;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,&rdquo; he added, waving his hand gaily as they rode
+      away, taking the coolee trail to the timber lot.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;I should like to take that medal home
+      to Mother,&rdquo; he said with a laugh. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you seen Mr. Switzer?&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, by Jove, he hasn't been near us for a week, has he?&rdquo; replied Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Poor man, I feel so sorry for him,&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;after Kathleen is
+      married, I mean&mdash;it will be different.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane rode on in silence for some distance. Then she said,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wonder how much you know about it, Larry. I don't think you know the
+      very least bit.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, perhaps not,&rdquo; said Larry cheerfully, &ldquo;but they always get over it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, do they?&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;I wonder.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      And again she rode on listening in silence to Larry's chatter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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,&rdquo; and as he spoke Larry glanced at her face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That would be splendid for you, Larry,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;but you couldn't leave
+      them at home with all the work going on, could you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Larry gloomily, &ldquo;I do not suppose I could. But I think you
+      might have let me say that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But it is true, isn't it, Larry?&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, it's true, and there's no use talking about it, and so I told him.
+      But,&rdquo; he said, cheering up again, &ldquo;I have been having a holiday these two
+      weeks since you have been here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know,&rdquo; said Jane remorsefully, &ldquo;we must have cut into your work
+      dreadfully.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don't need to ask me, do you, Larry?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't know. You are so dreadfully secretive as to your feelings, one
+      never knows about you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, you are talking nonsense,&rdquo; replied Jane hotly. &ldquo;You know quite well
+      that I have enjoyed every minute of my visit here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They rode in silence for some time, then Larry said, &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Larry,&rdquo; said Jane simply, but she kept her face turned away from him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVIII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dear Miss Brown,&rdquo; the answer ran, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rather sporting of him, isn't it?&rdquo; said Jane to her friend Ethel Murray,
+      who had come to dinner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sporting?&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;It is the last thing I would have said about
+      Kellerman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is the worst of prizes,&rdquo; said Jane, &ldquo;some one has to lose.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just the way I feel about Mr. MacLean,&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;He ought to have had
+      the medal and not I. He knows more philosophy in a minute than I in a
+      week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I wouldn't say that,&rdquo; said Jane judicially. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, he is good, a little too good,&rdquo; said Ethel, making a little face.
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Jane, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What a pity about Ramsay Dunn,&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Poor Ramsay,&rdquo; said Jane, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo; said Ethel, with a meaning smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have known him a long time,&rdquo; said Jane, ignoring the smile. &ldquo;We think
+      a great deal of him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When have you seen Larry?&rdquo; enquired Ethel. &ldquo;He comes here a lot, doesn't
+      he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. He says this is his Winnipeg home. I haven't seen him all to-day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don't mean to tell me!&rdquo; exclaimed Ethel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I mean I haven't seen him to congratulate him on his medal. His mother
+      will be so glad.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know,&rdquo; said Jane sympathetically.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But,&rdquo; continued Ethel, &ldquo;he is awfully difficult. His people are ranching,
+      aren't they? And poor, I understand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, they are ranching,&rdquo; said Jane, &ldquo;and Larry has had quite a hard time
+      getting through. I had a lovely visit last fall with them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, tell me about it!&rdquo; exclaimed Ethel. &ldquo;I heard a little, you know, from
+      Larry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      For half an hour Jane dilated on her western visit to the Lakeside Farm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you lucky girl!&rdquo; cried Ethel. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane's face glowed a dull red, but she made no pretence of failing to
+      understand Ethel's meaning. &ldquo;Oh, there is no nonsense of that kind with
+      Larry,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;We are just good friends.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good friends!&rdquo; exclaimed Ethel indignantly. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you?&rdquo; said Jane, with a delighted laugh. &ldquo;What did he do?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, he never knew it. I could have killed him,&rdquo; said Ethel in disgust.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is going away to Chicago,&rdquo; said Jane abruptly, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      When the party had settled down they discussed the Class lists and prize
+      winners till Dr. Brown appeared.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall we have dinner soon, Jane?&rdquo; he said as she welcomed him. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall have it served at once, Papa. Larry is coming, but we won't wait
+      for him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are not late, Larry,&rdquo; said Jane; &ldquo;we are early. Papa is going to the
+      political meeting.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good!&rdquo; cried Larry. &ldquo;So am I. You are going, Frank, and you, MacLean?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't know yet,&rdquo; said MacLean.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We are all due at Mrs. Allen's, Larry, you remember. It is a party for
+      the Graduating Class, too,&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So we are. But we can take in the political meeting first, eh, Mac?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But MacLean glanced doubtfully at Ethel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have just had a go with Holtzman,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The girls were keen to take in the political meeting, but Larry objected.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The girls were indignant and appealed to Dr. Brown.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;perhaps you had better not go. The young gentlemen
+      can join you later, you know, at Allens' party.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, we don't want them then,&rdquo; said Ethel, &ldquo;and, indeed, we can go by
+      ourselves to the party.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, Ethel, don't be naughty,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be very glad to take you to the party, Miss Murray,&rdquo; said
+      MacLean. &ldquo;I don't care so much for the meeting.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will be fine, Mac!&rdquo; exclaimed Larry enthusiastically. &ldquo;In this way
+      neither they nor we will need to hurry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Disgustingly selfish creature,&rdquo; said Ethel, making a face at him across
+      the table.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We have a few minutes, Ethel,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;Won't you give us a little
+      Chopin, a nocturne or two, or a bit of Grieg?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do, Ethel,&rdquo; said Jane, &ldquo;although you don't deserve it, Larry. Not a bit,&rdquo;
+       she added.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, what have I done?&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For one thing,&rdquo; said Jane, in a low, hurried voice, moving close to him,
+      &ldquo;you have not given me a chance to congratulate you on your medal. Where
+      have you been all day?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The reproach in her eyes and voice stirred Larry to quick defence. &ldquo;I have
+      been awfully busy, Jane,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;getting ready to go off to-morrow. I
+      got a telegram calling me to Chicago.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To Chicago? To-morrow?&rdquo; said Jane, her eyes wide open with surprise. &ldquo;And
+      you never came to tell me&mdash;to tell us? Why, we may never see you
+      again at all. But you don't care a bit, Larry,&rdquo; she added.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The bitterness in her voice was so unusual with Jane that Larry in his
+      astonishment found himself without reply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Excuse me, Ethel,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;I must see Ann a minute.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;binding her
+      friends to her with hooks of steel.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As Jane re-entered the room, Larry sprang to meet her. &ldquo;Jane,&rdquo; he said in
+      a low, eager tone, &ldquo;I am going to take you to the party.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But Jane was her own serene self again, and made answer, &ldquo;There is no
+      need, Larry. Mr. MacLean will see us safely there, and after the meeting
+      you will come. We must go now, Ethel.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;Do you know it is after eight o'clock, people?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come, Ethel,&rdquo; said Jane, &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Smiling over her shoulder, Jane took Ethel off with her upstairs.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come, Smart, let's get a move on,&rdquo; said Larry, abruptly seizing his hat
+      and making for the door. &ldquo;We will have to fight to get in now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rot!&rdquo; cried a voice from the first gallery, followed by cheers and
+      counter cheers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;the grand old flag that for a thousand years had
+      led the embattled hosts of freedom in their fight for human rights.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rot!&rdquo; cried the same voice again. &ldquo;Can the flag stuff. Get busy and say
+      something.&rdquo; (Cheers, counter cheers, yells of &ldquo;Throw him out,&rdquo; followed by
+      disturbance in the gallery.)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;Trade follows the flag.&rdquo; But like most
+      proverbs it was only half a truth. The other half was equally true that
+      &ldquo;The flag followed trade.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ye're a dom leear,&rdquo; shouted an excited Scot, rising to his feet in the
+      back of the hall. &ldquo;It was no Scotland that surrendered. Didna Scotland's
+      king sit on England's throne. Speak the truth, mon.&rdquo; (Cheers, uproarious
+      laughter and cries, &ldquo;Go to it, Scotty; down wi' the Sassenach. Scotland
+      forever!&rdquo;)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ye needna tell us that,&rdquo; said the Scot. (Renewed cheers and laughter.)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;Mr. Chairman, a question if you will permit
+      me.&rdquo; The chairman granted permission. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Instantly a thousand people were on their feet cheering, yelling, on the
+      one part shouting, &ldquo;Put him out,&rdquo; and on the other demanding, &ldquo;Withdraw.&rdquo;
+       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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here,&rdquo; he cried, seizing Larry by the shoulder, &ldquo;what does this mean?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't ask me,&rdquo; said Larry, smiling pleasantly at him. &ldquo;Ask that fighting
+      man over there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You were fighting. I saw you,&rdquo; insisted the policeman.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you?&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;I am rather pleased to hear you say it, but I knew
+      nothing of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Look here, Sergeant,&rdquo; shouted Smart above the uproar. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Immediately there were clamorous counter charges and demands for arrest of
+      Smart and his student crew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come now,&rdquo; said Sergeant Mac, &ldquo;keep quiet, or I'll be takin' ye all into
+      the coop.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are all right, Jim; go to it,&rdquo; cried an enthusiastic admirer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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: &ldquo;The Imperative and Pressing Duty of Canada to Prepare to do
+      Her Part in Defence of the Empire.&rdquo; 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&mdash;Germany&mdash;purposed
+      to make war, was ready for war, and was waiting only a favourable
+      opportunity to begin.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, r-r-rats-s,&rdquo; exclaimed a harsh voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's Holtzman,&rdquo; said Larry to Smart.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      (Cries of &ldquo;Shut up!&mdash;Go on.&rdquo;)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I beg the gentleman who has so courteously interrupted me,&rdquo; continued Mr.
+      Allen, &ldquo;simply to wait for my facts.&rdquo; (&ldquo;Hear! Hear!&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      For almost half an hour the speaker read extracts from the pile of books
+      on the table beside him. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;The German Kaiser,&rdquo; he
+      continued, &ldquo;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.&rdquo; These facts he challenged any one to controvert. If
+      these things were so, what should Canada do? Manifestly one thing only&mdash;she
+      should prepare to do her duty in defending herself and the great Empire.
+      &ldquo;So far,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;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&mdash;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.'&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The silence that greeted the conclusion of this address gave eloquent
+      proof of the profound impression produced.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The answer to this question,&rdquo; said Mr. Allen, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;Throw him out.&rdquo; Mr. Allen rose and stood
+      quietly waiting till the tumult had ceased.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aha! Aha!&rdquo; laughed Holtzman scornfully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should dearly love to take a hand in this.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jump in,&rdquo; said Smart, and Larry &ldquo;jumped in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Chairman,&rdquo; he said quietly, &ldquo;may I ask Mr. Allen a question?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said the chairman in curt reply. &ldquo;The hour is late and I think
+      further discussion at present is unprofitable.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But here Mr. Allen interposed. &ldquo;I hope, Mr. Chairman,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;you will
+      allow my young friend, Mr. Gwynne, of whose brilliant achievements in our
+      University we are all so proud, to ask his question.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; said the chairman in no good will.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Allow me to thank Mr. Allen for his courtesy,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;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&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will not Mr. Gwynne come to the platform?&rdquo; said Mr. Allen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;I prefer to stay where I am, I am much too shy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Cries of &ldquo;Platform! Platform!&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Chairman,&rdquo; he began with an exaggerated look of fear upon his face,
+      &ldquo;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:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'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.'
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;merciful God, for war! I have been reading about war
+      during the past three months, I have been reading again Zola's Debacle&mdash;a
+      great appeal for preparedness, you would say. Yes, but a terrific picture
+      of the woes of war.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;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?&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;God Save the King,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIX
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE CLOSING OF THE DOOR
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You queered my speech, Larry,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but I forgive you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all, Sir,&rdquo; replied Larry. &ldquo;You certainly got me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I fear,&rdquo; replied Mr. Allen, &ldquo;that I am 'the voice crying in the
+      wilderness.'&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At the Allens' party Larry was overwhelmed with congratulations on his
+      speech, the report of which had been carried before him by his friends.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They tell me your speech was quite thrilling,&rdquo; said Mrs. Allen as she
+      greeted Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your husband is responsible for everything,&rdquo; replied Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Mr. Allen, &ldquo;Miss Jane here is finally responsible. Hers were
+      the big shells I fired.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not mine,&rdquo; replied Jane. &ldquo;I got them from Mr. Romayne, your
+      brother-in-law, Larry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I'm blowed!&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What?&rdquo; said Mr. Allen, &ldquo;you don't really mean to say that Scudamore, our
+      genial Y. M. C. A. Secretary, was in that scrap? That cheers me greatly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Was he!&rdquo; said Ramsay Dunn, whose flushed face and preternaturally grave
+      demeanour sufficiently explained his failure to appear at Dr. Brown's
+      dinner. &ldquo;While Mr. Smart's life was saved by the timely upper-cut of our
+      distinguished pacifist, Mr. Gwynne, without a doubt Mr. Scudamore&mdash;hold
+      him there, Scallons, while I adequately depict his achievement&mdash;&rdquo;
+       Immediately Scallons and Ted Tuttle, Scudamore's right and left supports
+      on the scrimmage line, seized him and held him fast. &ldquo;As I was saying,&rdquo;
+       continued Dunn, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;Miss Brown,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I must apologise for not appearing at
+      dinner this evening.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Mr. Dunn,&rdquo; said Jane, &ldquo;why will you do it? Why break the hearts of
+      all your friends?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why? Because I am a fool,&rdquo; he said bitterly. &ldquo;If I had more friends like
+      you, Miss Brown,&rdquo; he paused abruptly, then burst forth, &ldquo;Jane, you always
+      make me feel like a beast.&rdquo; But Larry's approach cut short any further
+      conversation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane, I want to talk to you,&rdquo; said Larry impetuously. &ldquo;Let us get away
+      somewhere.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In the library they found a quiet spot, where they sat down.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I want to tell you,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;that I feel that I treated you shabbily
+      to-day. I have only a poor excuse to offer, but I should like to explain.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't, Larry,&rdquo; said Jane, her words coming with hurried impetuosity. &ldquo;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,&rdquo; she added with a shy little laugh, &ldquo;I wanted to have
+      you congratulate me on my prize too. But, Larry, I understand how you
+      forgot.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Forgot!&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;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&mdash;they
+      always take longer than one thinks&mdash;and before I knew it I was late
+      for dinner. I had not forgotten; I was thinking of you all day, Jane.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Were you, Larry?&rdquo; said Jane, a gentle tenderness in her smile. &ldquo;I am
+      glad.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane,&rdquo; he cried with a sudden impulse, &ldquo;you are lovely, you are perfectly
+      lovely.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Larry,&rdquo; whispered Jane, turning swiftly to him and laying her hand upon
+      his arm, &ldquo;you will take me home to-night.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, Jane, of course,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As they passed out from the library Helen Brookes met them. &ldquo;Larry, come
+      here,&rdquo; she said in a voice of suppressed excitement. &ldquo;Larry, don't you
+      want to do something for me? Scuddy wants to take me home tonight, and I
+      don't want him to.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not to-night, Larry; I can't have him to-night. You will take me home,
+      won't you? I am going very soon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are, eh? Well, if you can go within ten minutes, I shall be ready.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say fifteen,&rdquo; said Helen, turning to meet Lloyd Rushbrook, the Beau
+      Brummel of the college, who came claiming a dance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, hurry, Larry,&rdquo; she cried in a fever of excitement. &ldquo;Let's get away
+      quickly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Two minutes will do me,&rdquo; said Larry, rushing into the dressing room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There he found Scudamore pacing up and down in fierce, gloomy silence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are taking her home, Larry?&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who?&rdquo; said Larry. Then glancing at his face, he added, &ldquo;Yes, Scuddy, I am
+      taking Helen home. She is apparently in a great hurry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She need not be; I shall not bother her any more,&rdquo; said Scuddy bitterly,
+      &ldquo;and you can tell her that for me, if you like.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I won't tell her that, Scuddy,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;and, Scuddy,&rdquo; he added,
+      imparting a bit of worldly wisdom, &ldquo;campaigns are not won in a single
+      battle, and, Scuddy, remember too that the whistling fisherman catches the
+      fish. So cheer up, old boy.&rdquo; But Scuddy only glowered at him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry found Helen awaiting him, and quietly they slipped out together.
+      &ldquo;This is splendid of you, Larry,&rdquo; she said, taking his arm and giving him
+      a little squeeze.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Car!&rdquo; exclaimed Helen. &ldquo;With this moonlight, Larry? And you going away
+      to-morrow? Not if I know it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is fearfully unromantic, Helen, I know. But I must hurry. I have to
+      take Jane home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Jane! It's always Jane, Jane!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, why not?&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;For years Jane has been my greatest pal, my
+      best friend.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nothing more?&rdquo; said Helen earnestly. &ldquo;Cross your heart, Larry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nothing more, cross my heart and all the rest of it,&rdquo; replied Larry.
+      &ldquo;Why! here's another car, Helen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo; Under her chaffing words there sounded a deeper note.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So I see,&rdquo; said Larry, laughing and refusing to hear the deeper
+      undertone. &ldquo;But I see something else as well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What?&rdquo; challenged Helen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see Scuddy leading out from Trinity some day the loveliest girl in
+      Winnipeg.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I won't talk about Scuddy,&rdquo; said Helen impatiently. &ldquo;I want to talk
+      about you. Tell me about this Chicago business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;You won't come in, Larry, I
+      know, so we will say good-bye here.&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, Helen,&rdquo; said Larry, touched by the tones of her voice and the
+      look in her eyes. &ldquo;We have been good friends. We shall never be anything
+      else. With my heart I wish you&mdash;oh, just everything that is good,
+      Helen dear. Good-bye,&rdquo; he said, leaning toward her. &ldquo;How lovely you are!&rdquo;
+       he murmured.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good-bye, dear Larry,&rdquo; she whispered, lifting up her face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good-bye, you dear girl,&rdquo; he said, and kissed her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now go,&rdquo; she said, pushing him away from her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Be good to Scuddy,&rdquo; he replied as he turned from her and hurried away.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane's gone,&rdquo; said Ethel, &ldquo;some time ago.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Gone?&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Scuddy took her home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are they all gone?&rdquo; inquired Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, for the most part.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, all right then; I think I shall not go in. Good-night,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Larry,&rdquo; she whispered. &ldquo;Is it you? Wait, I shall be down.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      She opened the door for him and stood waiting for him to speak. &ldquo;Why
+      didn't you wait?&rdquo; he asked, passing into the hall. &ldquo;I was not very long.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why should I wait, Larry?&rdquo; she said quietly. &ldquo;Scuddy told me you had gone
+      home with Helen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But didn't I promise that I would take you home?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You did, and then went away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But Jane got between him and the door and stood with her back to it. &ldquo;No,
+      Larry, you are not going away like that. Go into the study.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Didn't Mrs. Allen give you my message?&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your message, Larry?&rdquo; cried Jane, a light breaking upon her face. &ldquo;Did
+      you leave a message for me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did. I told Mrs. Allen to tell you where I had gone&mdash;Helen was so
+      anxious to go&mdash;and that I would be right back.&rdquo; Larry's voice was
+      full of reproach.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Larry, I am so glad,&rdquo; said Jane, her tone indicating the greatness of
+      her relief. &ldquo;I knew it was all right&mdash;that something had prevented. I
+      am so glad you came in. You must have thought me queer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Larry, appeased, &ldquo;I knew all the time there must be some
+      explanation, only I was feeling so miserable.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I was miserable, too, Larry,&rdquo; she said gently. &ldquo;It seemed a pity that
+      this should happen on our last night.&rdquo; 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,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Larry.&rdquo; Her voice was low, almost a whisper, and in her eyes an
+      eager light shone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It just breaks my heart, Jane. We have been&mdash;we are such good
+      friends. If we had only fallen in love with each other.&mdash;But that
+      would have spoiled it all. We are not like other people; we have been such
+      chums, Jane.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Larry,&rdquo; she said again, but the eager light had faded from her eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let's sit a bit, Larry,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I am tired, and you are tired, too,&rdquo;
+       she added quickly, &ldquo;after your hard day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;Jane, I love you.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane,&rdquo; he said desperately. She started. She, too, had been thinking.
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Larry,&rdquo; cried Jane with quick vehemence. &ldquo;Not that. You won't let
+      that come.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can we help it, Jane?&rdquo; Then her weariness appealed to him. &ldquo;It is a shame
+      to keep you up. I have given you a hard day, Jane.&rdquo; She shook her head.
+      &ldquo;And there is no use waiting. We can only say good-bye.&rdquo; 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,
+      &ldquo;Jane, I love you,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good-bye, Jane; God keep you always, dear, dear Jane.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good-bye, Larry,&rdquo; she said simply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good-bye,&rdquo; he said again in a husky voice. Abruptly he turned and left
+      her and passed out through the door.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sore, sick at heart, he stumbled down the steps. &ldquo;My God,&rdquo; he cried, &ldquo;what
+      a fool I am! Why didn't I kiss her? I might have done that at least.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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,
+      &ldquo;Jane, I want you for my wife&rdquo;? He could not. Miserable and cursing
+      himself he went his way.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XX
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE GERMAN TYPE OF CITIZENSHIP
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;Poor, dear Mater,&rdquo; he would say. &ldquo;She is at rest about me only
+      when she has me safely tucked up in my little bed.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;'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&mdash;'um um&mdash;&rdquo; At this point Mr. Dean Wakeham
+      read a portion of the letter to himself with slightly heightened colour.
+      &ldquo;'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.'&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am really awfully glad about the kid,&rdquo; said Dean. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why shouldn't the little girl spend a few weeks with us here this summer,
+      Mr. Wakeham?&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne. &ldquo;Will you not say to your mother that we
+      should take good care of her?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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,&rdquo; added Dean, looking at Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Trouble? Not at all,&rdquo; said Nora. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would be an awfully good thing for her, I know,&rdquo; said Dean, vainly
+      trying to suppress the eagerness in his tone, &ldquo;and if you are really sure
+      that it would not be too much of a burden I might write.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No burden at all, Mr. Wakeham,&rdquo; said Mrs. Gwynne. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;her
+      men&rdquo; for an evening at Birchwood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come along, Larry, it is too hot to live in town today,&rdquo; she said as she
+      passed through the outer office where the young man had his desk. &ldquo;I am
+      just going in to get father, so don't keep me waiting.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What? Not to-day, with the thermometer at ninety-four? Nonsense!&rdquo; said
+      the young lady brusquely. &ldquo;You look fit to drop.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is quite useless,&rdquo; said Larry with a sigh. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, look here, young man. All work in this office is pressing but none
+      so pressing that it cannot pause at my command.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But this man is due to leave to-morrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I decline to talk about it; it is much too hot. Just close up your
+      desk,&rdquo; said the young lady, as she swept on to her father's office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In a short time she returned, bearing that gentleman in triumph with her.
+      &ldquo;Not ready?&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Really you are most exasperating, Larry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may as well throw up your hands, Larry. You'd better knock off for
+      the day,&rdquo; said Mr. Wakeham. &ldquo;It is really too hot to do anything else than
+      surrender.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see, it is like this, sir,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long will it take?&rdquo; said Mr. Wakeham.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I am very sorry, indeed,&rdquo; said Mr. Wakeham. &ldquo;It is a great pity you
+      cannot come with us, and you look rather fagged. Dimock could not delay,
+      eh?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He says he has an appointment at Kansas City which he must keep.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, it is perfect rubbish,&rdquo; exclaimed Rowena impatiently, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But why tell me these things now, Miss Wakeham,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;when you
+      know it is impossible for me to come?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You won't come?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can't come.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come along then, father,&rdquo; she said, and with a stiff little bow she left
+      Larry at his desk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Before the car moved off Larry came hurrying out.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here is Elfie's letter,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Perhaps Mrs. Wakeham would like to see
+      it.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know,&rdquo; said Larry gravely, &ldquo;I do not think it is quite so hot as
+      it was. I almost fancy I feel a chill.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A chill?&rdquo; said Mr. Wakeham anxiously. &ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Miss Wakeham bit her lip, broke into a smile and then into a laugh. &ldquo;Oh,
+      he's a clever thing, he is,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I hope you may have a real good
+      roast this afternoon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you will call next Saturday,&rdquo; said Larry earnestly. &ldquo;It is sure to
+      be hot.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don't deserve it or anything else that is good.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Except your pity. Think what I am missing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Get in out of the heat,&rdquo; she cried as the car slipped away.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;That young
+      man takes himself too seriously. You would think the business belonged to
+      him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish to God I had more men in my office,&rdquo; said her father, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All the same, he is awfully stubborn,&rdquo; said his daughter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can't bully him as you do your old dad, eh?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They rolled on in silence for some time through the park when suddenly her
+      father said, &ldquo;He may be finished by six o'clock, and Michael could run in
+      for him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At six o'clock Miss Wakeham called Larry on the 'phone. &ldquo;Are you still at
+      it?&rdquo; she enquired. &ldquo;And when will you be finished?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;An hour, I think, will see me through,&rdquo; he replied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then,&rdquo; said Miss Wakeham, &ldquo;a little before seven o'clock the car will be
+      waiting at your office door.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hooray!&rdquo; cried Larry. &ldquo;You are an angel. I will be through.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What, you, Miss Rowena?&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;Your own self? How very lovely of
+      you, and through all this heat!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Me,&rdquo; replied the girl, &ldquo;only me. I thought it might still be hot and a
+      little cool breeze would be acceptable. But jump in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Cool breeze, I should say so!&rdquo; exclaimed Larry. &ldquo;A lovely, cool, sweet
+      spring breeze over crocuses and violets! But, I say, I must go to my room
+      for my clothes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No evening clothes to-night,&rdquo; exclaimed Rowena.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You were indeed,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell me what she said,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And how is the mine doing?&rdquo; inquired Rowena, for Larry had fallen silent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The mine? Oh, there's trouble there, I am afraid. Switzer&mdash;you have
+      heard of Switzer?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, I know all about him and his tragic disappointment. He's the
+      manager, isn't he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much is involved?&rdquo; inquired Rowena.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see you are worrying,&rdquo; said Rowena, glancing at his face, which she
+      thought unusually pale.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not a bit. At least, not very much. Jack is a levelheaded chap&mdash;Jack
+      Romayne, I mean&mdash;my brother-in-law. By the way, I had a wire to say
+      that young Jack had safely arrived.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Young Jack? Oh, I understand. Then you are Uncle Larry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am. How ancient I feel! And what a lot of responsibility it lays upon
+      me!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope your sister is quite well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, don't worry to-night,&rdquo; said Rowena. &ldquo;I want you to have a good
+      time. I am particularly anxious that you should meet and like Professor
+      Schaefer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A German, eh?&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We should do that better in our country. Ah, if only our Government would
+      take hold of these deposits,&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;the whole world should hear
+      of them.&rdquo; The nickel mining industry alone in the Sudbury district he
+      considered worthy of respect. Here he became enthusiastic. &ldquo;If only my
+      country had such a magnificent bit of ore!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;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,&rdquo; he continued, turning suddenly
+      upon Larry, &ldquo;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&mdash;ah, what would you not
+      see!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your country?&rdquo; said Hugo Raeder, smiling. &ldquo;I understood you were an
+      American, Professor Schaefer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;An American? Surely! I have been eighteen years in this country.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are a citizen, I presume?&rdquo; said Mr. Wakeham.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A citizen? Yes. I neglected that matter till recently; but I love my
+      Fatherland.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Speaking of citizenship, I have always wanted to know about the Delbruck
+      Law, Professor Schaefer, in regard to citizenship,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The professor hesitated, &ldquo;The Delbruck Law?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;How does it affect, for instance, your American
+      citizenship?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all, I should say. Not in the very least,&rdquo; replied Professor
+      Schaefer curtly and as if dismissing the subject.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not so sure of that, Professor Schaefer,&rdquo; said Hugo Raeder. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all, not at all, I assure you,&rdquo; exclaimed Professor Schaefer. &ldquo;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&mdash;hence the Delbruck Law.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But what does it provide exactly?&rdquo; enquired Mr. Wakeham. &ldquo;I confess I
+      never heard of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A beautiful law,&rdquo; echoed his friend, Mr. Meyer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just what is the connection?&rdquo; insisted Hugo Raeder.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Beautiful, beautiful, glorious!&rdquo; echoed Meyer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I do not understand,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;Are you still a citizen of
+      Germany?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am an American citizen, and proud of it,&rdquo; exclaimed Professor Schaefer,
+      dramatically.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ach, so, geviss,&rdquo; said Meyer. &ldquo;Sure! an American citizen!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you are also a citizen of Germany?&rdquo; enquired Hugo Raeder.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I return to Germany I resume the rights of my German citizenship, of
+      course.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Beautiful, beautiful!&rdquo; exclaimed Meyer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Look here, Schaefer. Be frank about this. Which are you to-day, a citizen
+      of Germany or of America?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Both, I tell you,&rdquo; exclaimed Schaefer proudly. &ldquo;That is the beauty of the
+      arrangement.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, a beautiful arrangement!&rdquo; said Meyer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What? You are a citizen of another country while you claim American
+      citizenship?&rdquo; said Raeder. &ldquo;You can no more be a citizen of two countries
+      at the same time than the husband of two wives at the same time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, why not?&rdquo; laughed Schaefer. &ldquo;An American wife for America, and a
+      German wife for Germany. You will excuse me,&rdquo; he added, bowing toward Mrs.
+      Wakeham.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't be disgusting,&rdquo; said Hugo Raeder. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was merely joking, of course,&rdquo; said Schaefer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Professor Schaefer, suppose war should come between Germany and
+      America,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;War between Germany and America&mdash;the thing is preposterous nonsense,
+      not to be considered among the possibilities!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But as a mere hypothesis for the sake of argument, what would your
+      position be?&rdquo; persisted Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Professor Schaefer was visibly annoyed. &ldquo;I say the hypothesis is nonsense
+      and unthinkable,&rdquo; he cried.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come on, Schaefer, you can't escape it like that, you know,&rdquo; said Hugo
+      Raeder. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The possibility does not exist,&rdquo; said Professor Schaefer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite impossible,&rdquo; exclaimed Meyer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, what of other countries then?&rdquo; said Hugo, pursuing the subject with
+      a wicked delight. His sturdy Americanism resented this bigamous
+      citizenship. &ldquo;What of France or Britain?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; said Professor Schaefer with a sharpening of his tone. &ldquo;That is
+      quite easy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You would be a German, eh?&rdquo; said Raeder.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You ask me,&rdquo; exclaimed Professor Schaefer, &ldquo;you ask me as between Germany
+      and France, or between Germany and Britain? I reply,&rdquo; he exclaimed with a
+      dramatic flourish of his hand, &ldquo;I am a worshipper of the life-giving sun,
+      not of the dead moon; I follow the dawn, not the dying day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But this was too much for Larry. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well put, Larry!&rdquo; exclaimed Hugo Raeder, to whom the German's attitude
+      was detestable.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Professor Schaefer's lips curled in an unpleasant smile. &ldquo;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,&rdquo; checking Larry's
+      impetuous reply with his hand. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry sprang to his feet. &ldquo;Where would Canada be? Let me tell you,
+      Professor Schaefer,&rdquo; shaking his finger in the professor's face. &ldquo;To her
+      last man and her last dollar Canada would be with the Empire.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hear, hear!&rdquo; shouted Hugo Raeder.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The professor looked incredulous. &ldquo;And yet,&rdquo; he said with a sneer,
+      &ldquo;one-half of your people voted for Reciprocity with the United States.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Reciprocity! And yet you say you know Canada,&rdquo; exclaimed Larry in a tone
+      of disgust. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I fancy our Mr. Taft helped a bit,&rdquo; said Hugo Raeder.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At this point a servant brought in a telegram and handed it to Mr.
+      Wakeham. &ldquo;Excuse me, my dear,&rdquo; he said to his wife, opened the wire, read
+      it, and passed it to Hugo Raeder. &ldquo;From your chief, Hugo.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Much in that, do you think, sir?&rdquo; inquired Hugo, passing the telegram
+      back to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, a little flurry in the market possibly,&rdquo; said Mr. Wakeham. &ldquo;What do
+      you think about that, Schaefer?&rdquo; Mr. Wakeham continued, handing him the
+      wire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Professor Schaefer glanced at the telegram. &ldquo;My God!&rdquo; he exclaimed,
+      springing to his feet. &ldquo;It is come, it is come at last!&rdquo; He spoke
+      hurriedly in German to his friend, Meyer, and handed him the telegram.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Meyer read it. &ldquo;God in heaven!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;It is here!&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At last!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;At last! Thank God, our day has come!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;Mrs. Wakeham, you will excuse us. Mr. Wakeham, you can send
+      us to town at once?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      By this time the whole company were upon their feet gazing with amazement
+      upon the two excited Germans.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But what is it?&rdquo; cried Mrs. Wakeham. &ldquo;What has happened? Is there
+      anything wrong? What is it, Professor Schaefer? What is your wire about,
+      Garrison?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, is that all,&rdquo; she said in a tone of vast relief. &ldquo;What a start you
+      all gave me. An ultimatum to Servia? What is it all about?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, you remember, my dear, the murder of the Archduke Ferdinand about
+      three weeks ago?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will excuse us, Mrs. Wakeham,&rdquo; said Professor Schaefer, approaching
+      her. &ldquo;We deeply regret leaving this pleasant party and your hospitable
+      home, but it is imperative that we go.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, my dear Professor Schaefer, to-night?&rdquo; exclaimed Mrs. Wakeham.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, Schaefer, what's the rush? Are you caught in the market?&rdquo; said
+      Wakeham with a little laugh. &ldquo;You cannot do anything to-night at any rate,
+      you know. We will have you in early to-morrow morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, no, to-night, now, immediately!&rdquo; shouted Meyer in uncontrollable
+      excitement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But why all the excitement, Schaefer?&rdquo; said Hugo Raeder, smiling at him.
+      &ldquo;Austria has presented an ultimatum to Servia&mdash;what about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What about it? Oh, you Americans; you are so provincial. Did you read the
+      ultimatum? Do you know what it means? It means war!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;War!&rdquo; cried Meyer. &ldquo;War at last! Thank God! Tonight must we in New York
+      become.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aren't they funny!&rdquo; said Rowena. &ldquo;They get so excited about nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, it is hardly nothing,&rdquo; said Hugo Raeder. &ldquo;Any European war is full
+      of all sorts of possibilities. You cannot throw matches about in a powder
+      magazine without some degree of danger.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;May I read the ultimatum?&rdquo; said Larry to Mrs. Wakeham, who held the
+      telegram in her hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pretty stiff ultimatum,&rdquo; said Hugo Raeder. &ldquo;Read it out, Larry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Servia will have to eat dirt,&rdquo; said Larry when he had finished. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is quite evident,&rdquo; said Hugo Raeder, &ldquo;that Austria means war.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Poor little Servia, she will soon be eaten up,&rdquo; said Rowena. &ldquo;She must be
+      bankrupt from her last war.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But why all this excitement on the part of our German friends?&rdquo; inquired
+      Mrs. Wakeham. &ldquo;What has Germany to do with Austria and Servia?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At this point Professor Schaefer and his friend re-entered the room ready
+      for their departure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was just inquiring,&rdquo; said Mrs. Wakeham, &ldquo;how this ultimatum of
+      Austria's to Servia can affect Germany particularly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Affect Germany?&rdquo; cried Professor Schaefer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Hugo Raeder, &ldquo;what has Germany to do with the scrap unless she
+      wants to butt in?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought you were an American citizen, Schaefer?&rdquo; inquired Hugo.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;An American,&rdquo; exclaimed Schaefer, &ldquo;an American, ah, yes, certainly; but
+      in Europe and in European politics, a German, always a German.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But why should Germany butt in?&rdquo; continued Hugo.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Butt in, Germany butt in? Things cannot be settled in Europe without
+      Germany. Besides, there is Russia longing for the opportunity to attack.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To attack Germany?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The car being announced, the Germans made a hurried exit, in their
+      overpowering excitement omitting the courtesy of farewells to household
+      and guests.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They seem to be terribly excited, those Germans,&rdquo; said Miss Rowena.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are,&rdquo; said Hugo; &ldquo;I am glad I am not a German. To a German war is so
+      much the biggest thing in life.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is really too bad,&rdquo; said Mrs. Wakeham; &ldquo;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,&rdquo; continued Mrs. Wakeham, settling herself placidly in her
+      comfortable chair, &ldquo;I am glad I am an American. Those European countries,
+      it seems to me, are always in some trouble or other.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad I am a Canadian,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;We are much too busy to think of
+      anything so foolish and useless as war.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXI
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      WAR
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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,&rdquo; said Ethel Murray. &ldquo;It will be
+      worth seeing to-day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Me too, me too,&rdquo; shrieked two wee girls in bare legs and sandals,
+      clutching Jane about the legs.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, Isabel; all right, Helen. I'll take you with me,&rdquo; said Jane.
+      &ldquo;But you must let me go, you know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They all raced around the house and began to climb the sheer, rocky hill
+      that rose straight up from the rear.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here, Jim, help me with these kiddies,&rdquo; said Jane to a lank lad of
+      fifteen, whom she ran into at the corner of the house just where the climb
+      began.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Ethel, I had forgotten just how beautiful this is,&rdquo; breathed Jane,
+      while the rest stood silent looking down upon the mirrored rocks and
+      islands, trees and sky.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Even the two little girls stood perfectly still, for they had been taught
+      to take the first views from the top in silence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Look at the Big Rock,&rdquo; said Helen. &ldquo;They are two rocks kissing each
+      other.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you little sweetheart,&rdquo; said Jane, kissing her. &ldquo;That is just what
+      they are doing. It is not often that you get it so perfectly still as
+      this, is it, Jim?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not so very often. Sometimes just at sunrise you get it this way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At sunrise! Do you very often see it then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, he gets up to catch fishes,&rdquo; said wee Helen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jim nodded. &ldquo;Are you game to come along to-morrow morning?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At what hour?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Five o'clock.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don't do it, Jane,&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;It tires you for the day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will come, Jim; I would love to come,&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      For some time they stood gazing down upon the scene below them. Then
+      turning to the children abruptly, Ethel said, &ldquo;Now, then, children, you
+      run down and get ready; that is, if you are going to church. Take them
+      down, Jim.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, Ethel,&rdquo; said Jim. &ldquo;See there, Jane,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;that neck
+      of land across the traverse&mdash;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would run and hide,&rdquo; said Isabel, &ldquo;so they could not see me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would not be afraid,&rdquo; said Helen, straightening up to her full height
+      of six years. &ldquo;I would shoot them dead.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Poor things,&rdquo; said Jane, in a pitiful voice. &ldquo;And then their little
+      babies at home would cry and cry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Helen looked distressed. &ldquo;I would not shoot the ones that had babies.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But then,&rdquo; said Jane, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would not shoot the ones with wives or babies or anything,&rdquo; said Helen,
+      determined to escape from her painful dilemma.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, only the boys and young men?&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;And then the poor old
+      mothers would cry and cry and tear their hair for the boys who would never
+      come back.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Helen stood in perplexed silence. Then she said shyly, &ldquo;I wouldn't shoot
+      any of them unless they tried to shoot me or Mother or Daddy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Or me,&rdquo; said Jane, throwing her arms around the little girl.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Helen, &ldquo;or you, or anybody in our house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That seems a perfectly safe place to leave it, Helen,&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, look!&rdquo; exclaimed Isabel, whose sharp eyes were darting everywhere.
+      &ldquo;There's the Rushbrooke's lovely new launch. Isn't it beautiful!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Huh!&rdquo; shouted Helen. &ldquo;It is not half as pretty as ours.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, hush, Helen,&rdquo; said the scandalised Isabel. &ldquo;It is lovely, isnt it,
+      Jane? And there is Lloyd Rushbrooke. I think he's lovely, too. And who is
+      that with him, Jane&mdash;that pretty girl? Oh, isn't she pretty?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's Helen Brookes,&rdquo; said Jane in a low voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, isn't she lovely!&rdquo; exclaimed Isabel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Lovely bunch, Isabel,&rdquo; said Jim with a grin.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't care, they are,&rdquo; insisted Isabel. &ldquo;And there is Mr. McPherson,
+      Jane,&rdquo; she added, her sharp eyes catching sight of their Winnipeg minister
+      through the crowd. &ldquo;He's coming this way. What are the people all waiting
+      for, Jane?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have just received from a friend in Winnipeg the most terrible news,&rdquo;
+       he said in a low voice. &ldquo;Germany has declared war on Russia and France.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;War! War! Germany!&rdquo; exclaimed the men in awed, hushed voices, a startled
+      look upon their grave faces.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it, James?&rdquo; said Mrs. Murray.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Murray repeated the news to her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Germany at war?&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I thought it was Austria and Servia. Isn't
+      it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, my dear,&rdquo; said Mr. Murray hastily, as if anxious to cover up his
+      wife's display of ignorance of the European situation. &ldquo;Austria has been
+      at war with Servia for some days, but now Germany has declared war
+      apparently upon France and Russia.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But what has Germany to do with it, or Russia either, or France?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They moved off together from the docks toward the church, discussing the
+      ominous news.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, look, Jane,&rdquo; said Isabel once more. &ldquo;There's Ramsay Dunn. Isn't he
+      looking funny?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pickled, I guess,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ask him to come over this afternoon,&rdquo; she said to Ethel. &ldquo;His mother
+      would like it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good morning, Ramsay,&rdquo; said Ethel as they passed him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ramsay turned sharply, stood stiff and straight, then saluted with an
+      elaborate bow. &ldquo;Good morning, Ethel. Why, good morning, Jane. You down
+      here? Delighted to see you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ramsay, could you come over this afternoon to our island?&rdquo; said Ethel.
+      &ldquo;Jane is going back this week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sure thing, Ethel. Nothing but scarlet fever, small-pox, or other
+      contectious or infagious, confagious or intexious&mdash;eh, disease will
+      prevent me. The afternoon or the evening?&rdquo; he added with what he meant to
+      be a most ingratiating smile. &ldquo;The late afternoon or the early evening?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The little girls, who had been staring at him with wide, wondering eyes,
+      began to giggle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I'll be there,&rdquo; continued Ramsay. &ldquo;I'll be there, I'll be there, when the
+      early evening cometh, I'll be there.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Isn't he awfully funny?&rdquo; she said as they moved off. &ldquo;I think he is
+      awfully funny.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Funny!&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;Disgusting, I think.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Ethel, isn't it terribly sad?&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;Poor Mrs. Dunn, she feels
+      so awfully about it. They say he is going on these days in a perfectly
+      dreadful way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The little brick church was comfortably filled with the townsfolk and with
+      such of the summer visitors as had not &ldquo;left their religion behind them in
+      Winnipeg,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;Amen&rdquo; had been sung, the minister invited the people to resume
+      their seats, when Mr. McPherson rose and said,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it?&rdquo; inquired Mr. Murray.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;War,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown in a husky whisper. Then clearing his throat, &ldquo;War&mdash;Britain
+      and Germany.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Murray turned to his boy. &ldquo;Jim,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I must go to Winnipeg. Take
+      the children home and tell their mother. I shall wire you to-morrow when
+      to meet me.&rdquo; Awed, solemnised and in silence they took their ways.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let us go back, Dr. Brown,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They returned together to the launch. On their way back to their island
+      they called to see Mr. McPherson. &ldquo;You were right,&rdquo; was Mr. Murray's
+      greeting to him. &ldquo;It has come; Britain has declared war.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. McPherson stood gazing at him in solemn silence. &ldquo;War,&rdquo; he said at
+      length. &ldquo;We are really in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, you were right, Mr. McPherson,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was afraid from the very first,&rdquo; said McPherson, &ldquo;and when once Russia
+      and France were in I knew that Britain could not honourably escape.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As they were talking together a launch went swiftly by. &ldquo;That's the
+      Rushbrooke's launch,&rdquo; said Jim.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Murray rushed out upon the pier and, waving his hand, brought it to a
+      halt and finally to the dock. &ldquo;Have you heard the news?&rdquo; he said to the
+      lady who sat near the stern. &ldquo;Britain has declared war.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; replied Mrs. Rushbrooke, &ldquo;why on earth has she done that? It is
+      perfectly terrible.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Terrible, indeed,&rdquo; said Mr. McPherson. &ldquo;But we must face it. It changes
+      everything in life&mdash;business, society, home, everything will
+      immediately feel the effect of this thing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Mr. McPherson,&rdquo; exclaimed Mrs. Rushbrooke, &ldquo;I can hardly see how it
+      will quite change everything for us here in Canada. For instance,&rdquo; she
+      added with a gay laugh, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not sure whether I can take the time, Mrs. Rushbrooke,&rdquo; said Mr.
+      Murray. &ldquo;I had thought of seeing a number of our business men who are down
+      here at the Lake.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, can't you leave business even while you are here? You really ought to
+      forget business during your holidays, Mr. Murray.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I mean in relation to the war,&rdquo; said Mr. Murray.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo; she
+      added as the launch got under way.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Got to live,&rdquo; said Mr. McPherson after they had gone. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And that?&rdquo; said Mr. Murray.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The necessity not to live, but to do our duty. Life has become all at
+      once a very simple thing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, we have got to keep going in the meantime at any rate,&rdquo; said Mr.
+      Murray.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Going, yes; but going where?&rdquo; said Mr. McPherson. &ldquo;All roads now, for us,
+      lead to one spot.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And that spot?&rdquo; said Mr. Murray.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The battlefield.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, Mr. McPherson, we must not lose our heads; we must keep sane and
+      reasonable. Eh, Doctor?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I confess that this thing has completely stunned me,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown.
+      &ldquo;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!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;God grant that Canada may see its duty clearly,&rdquo; said Mr. McPherson. &ldquo;God
+      make us strong to bear His will.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They hurried back to their island, each busy with his thoughts, seeking to
+      readjust life to this new and horrible environment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Murray met them at the dock. &ldquo;You are back, Dr. Brown,&rdquo; she cried.
+      &ldquo;Did you forget something? We are glad to see you at any rate.&rdquo; Then
+      noticing the men's faces, she said, &ldquo;What is the matter, James? Is there
+      anything wrong?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We bring terrible news, Mother,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We are at war.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;What about the block, James?&rdquo; she asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wired Eastwood,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;to stop that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it, Mother?&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hush, dear,&rdquo; said her mother. &ldquo;Nothing that you can understand.&rdquo; She
+      would keep from her children this horror as long as she could.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;the
+      British Navy was still supreme.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let's see, did they cut down the Navy estimates during the last
+      Parliament? I know they were always talking of reduction,&rdquo; inquired Mr.
+      Murray.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid I know nothing about it,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown. &ldquo;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,&rdquo; he added with
+      a smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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,&rdquo; she added, &ldquo;the German Navy is very strong too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, I believe you are right, Jane,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is he?&rdquo; inquired Mr. Murray.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Romayne?&rdquo; said Dr. Brown. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Jane, fear leaping into her eyes. &ldquo;Oh, Papa, do you think
+      he will have to go? Surely he would not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What? Go back to England?&rdquo; said Dr. Brown. &ldquo;I hardly think so. I do not
+      know, but perhaps he may.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Papa!&rdquo; exclaimed Jane, the quick tears in her eyes. &ldquo;Think of his
+      wife and little baby!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My God!&rdquo; exclaimed Dr. Brown. &ldquo;It is war that is upon us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A fresh wave of horror deeper than any before swept their souls. &ldquo;Surely
+      he won't need to go,&rdquo; he said after a pause.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But his regiment will be going,&rdquo; said Jane, whose face had become very
+      pale and whose eyes were wide with horror. &ldquo;His regiment will be going
+      and,&rdquo; she added, &ldquo;he will go too.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Canada will doubtless send some troops,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown. &ldquo;We sent to
+      South Africa, let me see, was it five thousand?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;More, I think, Papa,&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will send twice or three times that number this time,&rdquo; said Mr.
+      Murray.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Doctor,&rdquo; said Mr. Murray, with a great effort at a laugh, &ldquo;you
+      can't send your boy at any rate.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown. &ldquo;But if my girl had been a boy, I fear I could not
+      hold her. Eh, Jane?&rdquo; But Jane only smiled a very doubtful smile in answer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We may all have to go, Doctor,&rdquo; said Mr. Murray. &ldquo;If the war lasts long
+      enough.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nonsense, James,&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;They would not be taking old men
+      like you, James,&rdquo; she added.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Murray laughed at her. &ldquo;Well, hardly, I suppose, my dear,&rdquo; he replied.
+      &ldquo;I rather guess we won't be allowed to share the glory this time, Doctor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Dr. Brown sat silent for a few moments, then said quietly, &ldquo;The young
+      fellows, of course, will get the first chance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, let's not talk about it,&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;Come, Jane, let's go
+      exploring.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane rose.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And me, too,&rdquo; cried Isabel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And me,&rdquo; cried Helen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ethel hesitated. &ldquo;Let them come, Ethel,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;We shall go slowly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is like being in church,&rdquo; said Helen, her little soul exquisitely
+      sensitive to the mystic, fragrant silences and glooms that haunted the
+      pine grove.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are all looking at us,&rdquo; said Isabel in a voice of awed mystery.
+      &ldquo;Lots and lots of eyes are just looking, looking, and looking.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, Isabel, you give me the creeps,&rdquo; laughed Jane. &ldquo;Whisht! They'll hear
+      you,&rdquo; said Isabel, darting swift glances among the trees.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The dear things,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;They would love to play with you if they
+      only knew how.&rdquo; This was quite a new idea to the children. Hitherto the
+      shy things had been more associated with fear than with play. &ldquo;They would
+      love to play tag with you,&rdquo; continued Jane, &ldquo;round these trees, if you
+      could only coax them out. They are so shy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And all the men will go to fight, your father and my father, and all the
+      big boys,&rdquo; Ethel heard a little friend confide to Isabel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hush, Mabel,&rdquo; said Ethel sharply. &ldquo;Don't be silly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+     &ldquo;Send him victorious,&rdquo;
+ </pre>
+    <p>
+      some one sang timidly, giving words to the music. In one instant a hundred
+      throats were wide open singing the words:
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+     &ldquo;Happy and glorious,
+      Long to reign over us,
+      God save our King.&rdquo;
+ </pre>
+    <p>
+      Again the chords sounded and at once the verse from the first was sung
+      again.
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+     &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+ </pre>
+    <p>
+      As the last note died Ramsay Dunn leaped upon a huge boulder, threw up his
+      hand and began,
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+     &ldquo;In days of yore, from Britain's shore.&rdquo;
+ </pre>
+    <p>
+      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,
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+     &ldquo;There may it wave, our boast and pride,
+      And joined in love together,
+      The thistle, shamrock, rose entwine,
+      The Maple Leaf forever.&rdquo;
+ </pre>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But Mr. Murray had business on hand. In company with Dr. Brown and the
+      minister, Mr. McPherson, he sought his host. &ldquo;Would it be possible, Mr.
+      Rushbrooke,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;to gather a number of business men here together?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What for?&rdquo; inquired Rushbrooke.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I may be all wrong,&rdquo; said Mr. Murray apologetically, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Mr. Murray,&rdquo; cried Mrs. Rushbrooke, who was standing by her
+      husband's side, &ldquo;they are all so happy it would seem a great pity to
+      introduce this horrible thing at such a time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you really think it necessary, Murray?&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear Mr. Murray,&rdquo; said Mrs. Rushbrooke, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, Mrs. Rushbrooke, if you say so. I have no desire to intrude,&rdquo;
+       said Mr. Murray.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Mr. Rushbrooke, the thing has to be faced,&rdquo; interposed Mr.
+      McPherson. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I do not agree with you, Mr. McPherson,&rdquo; said Mrs. Rushbrooke, taking
+      the word out of her husband's mouth. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not know about that, Mrs. Rushbrooke,&rdquo; said the minister. &ldquo;I do not
+      know about that at all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, Mr. McPherson, you surprise me! Must not my husband attend to his
+      business, must not the Doctor look after his patients?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A number of men had gathered about during the course of the conversation.
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Mr. McPherson, his voice ringing out in decided tones. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Mr. Murray,&rdquo; said Mr. Rushbrooke, with a laugh, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Murray's words were received in deep silence, and for a time no one
+      made reply. Then Mr. Rushbrooke made answer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After some moments of silence the minister spoke. &ldquo;I wish I could agree
+      with Mr. Rushbrooke,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;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&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How many in this company will be in Winnipeg this week, say to-morrow?&rdquo;
+       inquired Mr. Murray. The hand of every business man in the company went
+      up. &ldquo;Then suppose we call a meeting at my office immediately upon the
+      arrival of the train.&rdquo; And to this they agreed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. McPherson,&rdquo; she said, as that gentleman came to bid her good-night,
+      &ldquo;I am quite cross with you. You made us all feel so blue and serious that
+      you quite spoiled our bonfire.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish it were only I that had spoiled it, Mrs. Rushbrooke,&rdquo; said Mr.
+      McPherson gravely. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Mr. McPherson,&rdquo; persisted Mrs. Rushbrooke, in a voice that strove to
+      be gaily reproachful, &ldquo;we must not become pessimistic. We must be cheerful
+      even if we are at war.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you for that word,&rdquo; said the minister solemnly. &ldquo;It is a true word
+      and a right word, and it is a word we shall need to remember more and
+      more.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The man would drive me mad,&rdquo; said Mrs. Rushbrooke to Mr. Murray as they
+      watched the boats away. &ldquo;I am more than thankful that he is not my
+      clergyman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, indeed,&rdquo; said her husband, who stood near her and shared her
+      feelings of disappointment. &ldquo;It seems to me he takes things far too
+      seriously.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wonder,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown, who stood with Mr. Murray preparatory to
+      taking his departure. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Surely we must,&rdquo; replied Rushbrooke impatiently. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Safe back again,&rdquo; she cried with an all too evident effort to be cheery.
+      &ldquo;How lovely the night is, and how peaceful! James,&rdquo; she said in a low
+      voice, turning to her husband, &ldquo;I wish you would go to Isabel. I cannot
+      get her to sleep. She says she must see you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, what's up?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think she has got a little fright,&rdquo; said his wife. &ldquo;She has been
+      sobbing pitifully.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Murray found the little thing wide awake, her breath coming in the
+      deep sobs of exhaustion that follows tempestuous tears. &ldquo;What's the
+      trouble, Sweetheart?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Daddy,&rdquo; cried the child, flinging herself upon him and bursting anew
+      into an ecstasy of weeping, &ldquo;she&mdash;said&mdash;you would&mdash;have&mdash;to&mdash;go.
+      But&mdash;you won't&mdash;will you&mdash;Daddy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, Isabel, what do you mean, dear? Go where?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To the&mdash;war&mdash;Daddy&mdash;they said&mdash;you would&mdash;have&mdash;to
+      go&mdash;to the war.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who said?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mabel. But&mdash;you&mdash;won't, will you, Daddy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mabel is a silly little goose,&rdquo; said Mr. Murray angrily. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But the child could not forget that terrible word which had rooted itself
+      in her heart. &ldquo;But you will not go; promise me, Daddy, you will not go.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, Sweetheart, listen to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But promise me, Daddy, promise me.&rdquo; The little thing clung to him in a
+      paroxysm of grief and terror.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Listen, Isabel dear,&rdquo; said her father quietly. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Daddy,&rdquo; she said, and drew a long breath. &ldquo;Now I am so tired,
+      Daddy.&rdquo; Even as she spoke the little form relaxed in his arms and in a
+      moment she was fast asleep.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As her father held her there the Spectre drew near again, but for the
+      moment his courage failed him and he dared not look.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE TUCK OF DRUM
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;I have been thinking of God these days,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Listen to the Word of God,&rdquo; cried the minister, &ldquo;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.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the Cathedral there rang out over the assembled people the Call to
+      Sacrifice. &ldquo;He that saveth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his
+      life for My sake shall find it.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The newspaper press published full reports of many of the sermons
+      preached. These sermons all struck the same note&mdash;repentance,
+      sacrifice, service. On Monday morning men walked with surer tread because
+      the light was falling clearer upon the path they must take.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Look,&rdquo; cried Ethel, &ldquo;there's Pat Scallons, and Ted Tuttle, and Fred
+      Sharp, too. I did not know that he belonged to the Ninetieth.&rdquo; And as they
+      passed, rank on rank, Ethel continued to name the friends whom she
+      recognised.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+      &ldquo;Oh, Ethel,&rdquo; she cried, touching her friend's arm, &ldquo;isn't it terrible?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, what's the matter?&rdquo; cried Ethel, glancing at her. &ldquo;Think of what
+      they are marching to!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I can't bear it,&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;Look,&rdquo;
+       she cried, &ldquo;that surely is not Kellerman! It is! It is! Look, Jane,
+      there's that little Jew. Is it possible?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Kellerman?&rdquo; cried Jane. &ldquo;No, it can't be he. There are no Jews in the
+      Ninetieth.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But it is,&rdquo; cried Ethel. &ldquo;It is Kellerman. Let us go up to Broadway and
+      we shall meet them again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There he is,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;It is Kellerman&mdash;in the second row, see?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sure enough, it is Kellerman,&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;Well, what has come to
+      Winnipeg?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;War,&rdquo; said Jane solemnly. &ldquo;And a good many more of the boys will be going
+      too, if they are any good.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is all this, I wonder?&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;Let us wait here awhile.
+      Perhaps we may come across some one we know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Listen, Ethel,&rdquo; cried Jane. &ldquo;The Pipes!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The Pipes!&rdquo; echoed Ethel in great excitement. &ldquo;The Kilties!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A young Ninetieth officer, intent on seeing that the way was kept clear
+      for the soldiers, came striding out of the armoury.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, there's Frank Smart,&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;I wish he would see us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As if in answer to her wish, Smart turned about and saw them in the crowd.
+      Immediately he came to them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn't know you were a soldier, Frank,&rdquo; said Jane, greeting him with a
+      radiant smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I had almost forgotten it myself,&rdquo; said Frank. &ldquo;But I was at church
+      yesterday and I went home and looked up my uniform and here I am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are not going across, Frank, are you?&rdquo; said Ethel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The question a fellow must ask himself is rather why should he stay,&rdquo;
+       replied the young officer. &ldquo;Don't you think so, Jane?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Jane, drawing in her breath sharply but smiling at him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you want to go in?&rdquo; asked Frank.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, do let's go in,&rdquo; said Ethel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But Jane shrank back. &ldquo;I don't like to go through all those men,&rdquo; she
+      said, &ldquo;though I should like greatly to see Kellerman,&rdquo; she added. &ldquo;I
+      wonder if I could see him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Kellerman?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, he's Jane's special, you know,&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;They ran close together
+      for the German prize, you remember. You don't know him? A little Jew
+      chap.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I don't know him,&rdquo; said Smart. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, let's wait to see them come up,&rdquo; said Ethel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, then, stand here,&rdquo; said Frank. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And they have their big feather bonnets on, too,&rdquo; said Ethel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Down the street the Highlanders came in column of fours, the pipe band
+      leading.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aren't they gorgeous?&rdquo; said Smart with generous praise for a rival
+      battalion. &ldquo;Chesty-looking devils, eh?&rdquo; he added as they drew near. &ldquo;You
+      would think that Pipe Major owned at least half of Winnipeg.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And the big drummer the other half,&rdquo; added Ethel. &ldquo;Look at his sticks.
+      He's got a classy twirl, hasn't he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mighty glad we have not to fight those boys,&rdquo; said Frank as the column
+      swung past into the armoury.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now we can go in. Come right along,&rdquo; said Smart. &ldquo;Stand clear there,
+      boys. You can't go in unless you have an order.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We ar-r-e wantin' tae join,&rdquo; said a Scotch voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are, eh? Come along then. Fall into line there.&rdquo; The men immediately
+      dropped into line. &ldquo;Ah, you have been there before, I see,&rdquo; said Smart.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aye, ye'er-r-r right ther-r-re, sir-r-r,&rdquo; answered the voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will be for the Kilties, boys?&rdquo; said Frank.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Aye. What else?&rdquo; asked the same man in surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is only one regiment for the Scotchman apparently,&rdquo; said Frank,
+      leading the way to the door. &ldquo;Just hold these men here until I see what's
+      doing, will you?&rdquo; he said to the sentry as he passed in. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, how splendid you look, Mr. Kellerman,&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;I did not know
+      you were in the Ninetieth.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wasn't until Friday.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you mean to say you joined up to go away?&rdquo; inquired Ethel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's what,&rdquo; said Kellerman.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you are&mdash;I mean&mdash;I do not see&mdash;&rdquo; Ethel stopped in
+      confusion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What you mean, Miss Murray, is that you are surprised at a Jew joining a
+      military organisation,&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid you are right. It is horrid of me and I am awfully sorry,&rdquo;
+       said Ethel, impulsively offering him her hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why did you join, Mr. Kellerman?&rdquo; said Jane in her quiet voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, I hardly know if I can tell you. I will, though,&rdquo; he added with a
+      sudden impulse, &ldquo;if you care to hear.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, do tell us,&rdquo; said Ethel. But Kellerman looked at Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you care to tell, Mr. Kellerman,&rdquo; she said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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: &ldquo;I was
+      born in Poland&mdash;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.&rdquo; Kellerman's voice took on a deeper and
+      firmer tone. &ldquo;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&mdash;I can
+      see that white face now&mdash;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.&rdquo; The little Jew's words snapped through his teeth. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And your mother?&rdquo; said Jane gently as she laid her hand upon his arm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The boy started. &ldquo;My mother? Oh, my mother, she went with me to the
+      recruiting office and saw me take the oath. She is satisfied now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      For some moments the girls stood silent, unable to find their voices. Then
+      Jane said, her eyes glowing with a deep inner light, &ldquo;Mr. Kellerman, I am
+      proud of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, Miss Brown; it does me good to hear you say that. But you have
+      always been good to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I want you to come and see me before you go,&rdquo; said Jane as she gave
+      him her hand. &ldquo;Now will you take us out through the crowd? We must get
+      along.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, Miss Brown. Just come with me.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell me, Jane,&rdquo; said Ethel, as they set off down the street, &ldquo;am I awake?
+      Is that little Kellerman, the greasy little Jew whom we used to think such
+      a beast?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Isn't he splendid?&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;Poor little Kellerman! You know, Ethel,
+      he had not one girl friend in college? I am sorry now we were not better
+      to him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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: &ldquo;The Germans Still Battering
+      Liege Forts&mdash;Kaiser's Army Nearing Brussels&mdash;Four Millions of
+      Men Marching on France&mdash;Russia Hastening Her Mobilisation&mdash;Kitchener
+      Calls for One Hundred Thousand Men&mdash;Canada Will Send Expeditionary
+      Force of Twenty-five Thousand Men&mdash;Camp at Valcartier Nearly Ready&mdash;Parliament
+      Assembles Thursday.&rdquo; 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&mdash;the cheering
+      days came later&mdash;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello, Ethel! Won't you get in?&rdquo; said a voice at their ear.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello, Lloyd! Hello, Helen!&rdquo; cried Ethel. &ldquo;We will, most certainly. Are
+      you joying, or what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Both,&rdquo; said Lloyd Rushbrooke, who was at the wheel. &ldquo;Helen wanted to see
+      the soldiers. She is interested in the Ninetieth but he wasn't there and I
+      am just taking her about.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We saw the Ninetieth and the Kilties too,&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;Oh, they are
+      fine! Oh, Helen, whom do you think we saw in the Ninetieth? You will never
+      guess&mdash;Heinrich Kellerman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good Lord! That greasy little Sheeney?&rdquo; exclaimed Rushbrooke.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Look out, Lloyd. He's Jane's friend,&rdquo; said Ethel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Lloyd laughed uproariously at the joke. &ldquo;And you say the little Yid was in
+      the Ninetieth? Well, what is the Ninetieth coming to?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Lloyd, you mustn't say a word against Mr. Kellerman,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;I think
+      he is a real man.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, come, Jane. That little Hebrew Shyster? Why, he does not wash more
+      than once a year!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don't care if he never washes at all. I won't have you speak of him
+      that way,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;I mean it. He is a friend of mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And of mine, too,&rdquo; said Ethel, &ldquo;since to-night. Why, he gave me thrills
+      up in the armoury as he told us why he joined up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;One ten per, eh?&rdquo; said Lloyd.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall I tell him?&rdquo; said Ethel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, you will not,&rdquo; said Jane decidedly. &ldquo;Lloyd would not understand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I say, Jane, don't spike a fellow like that. I am just joking.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I won't have you joke in that way about Mr. Kellerman, at least, not to
+      me.&rdquo; Few of her college mates had ever seen Jane angry. They all
+      considered her the personification of even-tempered serenity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you take it that way, of course I apologise,&rdquo; said Lloyd.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now listen to me, Lloyd,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;I am going to tell you why he
+      joined up.&rdquo; And in tones thrilling with the intensity of her emotion and
+      finally breaking, she recounted Kellerman's story. &ldquo;And that is why he is
+      going to the war, and I am proud of him,&rdquo; she added.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Splendid!&rdquo; cried Helen Brookes. &ldquo;You are in the Ninetieth, too, Lloyd,
+      aren't you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Lloyd. &ldquo;At least, I was. I have not gone much lately. I have
+      not had time for the military stuff, so I canned it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And we saw Pat Scallons and Ted Tuttle in the Ninetieth, too, and Ramsay
+      Dunn&mdash;oh, he did look fine in his uniform&mdash;and Frank Smart&mdash;he
+      is going if he can,&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;I wonder what his mother will do. He is
+      the only son, you know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, if you ask me, I think that is rot. It is not right for Smart.
+      There are lots of fellows who can go,&rdquo; said Lloyd in quite an angry tone.
+      &ldquo;Why, they say they have nearly got the twenty-five thousand already.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My, I would like to be in the first twenty-five thousand if I were a
+      man,&rdquo; said Ethel. &ldquo;There is something fine in that. Wouldn't you, Jane?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not a man,&rdquo; said Jane shortly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why the first twenty-five thousand?&rdquo; said Lloyd. &ldquo;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.'&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;'Business as usual!'&rdquo; exclaimed Jane in a tone of unutterable contempt.
+      &ldquo;I think I must be going home, Lloyd,&rdquo; she added. &ldquo;Can you take me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What's the rush, Jane? It is early yet. Let's take a turn out to the
+      Park.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;which
+      was not fear&mdash;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At the end of the second week Jane could refrain no longer. She wrote to
+      Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXIII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      A NEUTRAL NATION
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      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&mdash;sub-moderate, indeed&mdash;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
+      &ldquo;frightfulness&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;rock the boat.&rdquo; The President of the
+      United States counselled his people &ldquo;to keep calm&rdquo; 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, &ldquo;well trimmed.&rdquo; 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, &ldquo;Die Wacht Am Rhein,&rdquo; and that newer song
+      which embodied German faith and German ambition, &ldquo;Deutschland Uber Alles.&rdquo;
+       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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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. &ldquo;Jack has gone,&rdquo; she wrote.
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry read the last sentence with a smile. &ldquo;Dear old Jane,&rdquo; he said to
+      himself. &ldquo;She wants to help me out; and, by George, she does.&rdquo; 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&mdash;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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In spite of it all, I believe the navy is all right,&rdquo; he said, with
+      savage emphasis.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear chap,&rdquo; exclaimed Raeder, &ldquo;did you ever doubt it? Did you read the
+      account of the fight?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;only the headlines.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say, old chap,&rdquo; said Larry as they stepped out of the car, &ldquo;you have done
+      me a mighty good turn this morning, and I will not forget it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, that is all right,&rdquo; said Raeder. &ldquo;We have got to stand together in
+      this thing, you know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Stand together?&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      These sentiments were so unusual in his environment that Larry gazed at
+      him in amazement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is God's truth,&rdquo; said Raeder. &ldquo;Take a vote of the college men
+      to-day, of the big business men, of the big newspaper men&mdash;these
+      control the thinking and the acting of America&mdash;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,&rdquo; added Raeder, putting
+      his hand on Larry's shoulder. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wait till I say good-morning to father,&rdquo; he said after he had shaken
+      hands warmly with Larry. &ldquo;I will be back then in a minute or two.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But in a few minutes Mr. Wakeham appeared and called Larry to him. &ldquo;Come
+      in, boy, and hear the news,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go on, Dean,&rdquo; said Raeder, who was listening with face and eyes aglow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;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.&rdquo; As Dean said this he glanced half defiantly at his father
+      as if expecting a challenge.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But his father only cleared his throat and said, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let's see, what was I talking about?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Churches.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+       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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Father,&rdquo; said Dean suddenly, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Think well, my boy,&rdquo; said his father. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;With me, at the University Club, all of you,&rdquo; said Raeder.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, with me,&rdquo; said Mr. Wakeham. &ldquo;I will put up the fatted calf, for this
+      my son is home again. Eh, my boy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I cannot help it,&rdquo; he said at length. &ldquo;All my switches run the same way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They had almost finished when Professor Schaefer came into the dining
+      hall, spied them and hastened over to them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here's this German beast,&rdquo; said Dean.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Steady, Dean. We do business with him,&rdquo; said his father.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, Father,&rdquo; replied the boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On land?&rdquo; said Raeder. &ldquo;Well, I should not radiate too freely about their
+      land successes. What about the Marne?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The Marne!&rdquo; said Schaefer in hot contempt. &ldquo;The Marne&mdash;strategy&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The Kaiser!&rdquo; exclaimed Larry, unable any longer to contain his fury. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;King Edward VII!&rdquo; sputtered Schaefer in a fury of contempt. &ldquo;King Edward
+      VII a peacemaker! A &mdash;&mdash;!&rdquo; calling him a vile name. &ldquo;And his son
+      is like him!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The foul word was like a flame to powder with Larry. His hand closed upon
+      his glass of water. &ldquo;You are a liar,&rdquo; he said, leaning over and thrusting
+      his face close up to the German. &ldquo;You are a slanderous liar.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good boy, Larry,&rdquo; shouted Dean. &ldquo;Great God! You did something that time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Stand clear, gentlemen,&rdquo; said Raeder. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Two days later a telegram was placed upon Larry's desk. Opening it, he
+      read, &ldquo;Word just received Jack Romayne killed in action.&rdquo; Larry carried
+      the telegram quietly into the inner office and laid it upon his chief's
+      desk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can stand this no longer, sir,&rdquo; he said in a quiet voice. &ldquo;I wish you
+      to release me. I must return to Canada. I am going to the war.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, my boy,&rdquo; said Mr. Wakeham. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXIV
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE MAJOR AND THE MAJOR'S WIFE
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      When Larry went to take farewell of the Wakehams he found Rowena with Hugo
+      Raeder in the drawing-room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are glad to leave us,&rdquo; said Rowena, in a tone of reproach.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;sorry. You have been too good to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are glad to go to war?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Right you are,&rdquo; said Hugo. &ldquo;What else could any man do when his country
+      is at war?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I hate to go,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;and I hate this business of saying
+      good-bye. You have all been so good to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was easy,&rdquo; said Rowena. &ldquo;Do you know I was on the way to fall in love
+      with you? Hugo here and Jane saved me. Oh, I mean it,&rdquo; she added, flushing
+      as she laughed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane!&rdquo; exclaimed Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Jane. Oh, you men are so stupid,&rdquo; said Rowena. &ldquo;And Hugo helped me
+      out, too,&rdquo; she added, with a shy glance at him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry looked from one to the other, then rushed to Hugo. &ldquo;Oh, you lucky
+      beggar! You two lucky beggars! Oh, joy, glory, triumph! Could anything be
+      finer in the wide world?&rdquo; cried Larry, giving a hand to each.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And, Larry, don't be a fool,&rdquo; said Rowena. &ldquo;Try to understand your dear,
+      foolish heart, and don't break your own or any one's else.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry gazed at her in astonishment and then at Hugo, who nodded wisely at
+      him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She is quite right, Larry. I want to see that young lady Jane. She must
+      be quite unique. I owe her something.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good-bye, then,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;I have already seen your mother. Good-bye,
+      you dear things. God give you everything good. He has already given you
+      almost the best.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good-bye, you dear boy,&rdquo; said Rowena. &ldquo;I have wanted to kiss you many a
+      time, but didn't dare. But now&mdash;you are going to the war&rdquo;&mdash;there
+      was a little break in her voice&mdash;&ldquo;where men die. Good-bye, Larry,
+      dear boy, good-bye.&rdquo; She put her arms about him. &ldquo;And don't keep Jane
+      waiting,&rdquo; she whispered in his ear.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I were a German, Larry,&rdquo; said Hugo, giving him both hands, &ldquo;I would
+      kiss you too, old boy, but being plain American, I can only say good luck.
+      God bless you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will find Elfie in her room,&rdquo; said Rowena. &ldquo;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!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry found Elfie in her room, with high lights as of fever on her cheeks
+      and eyes glittering.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not going to cry,&rdquo; she said between her teeth. &ldquo;You need not be
+      afraid, Larry. I am going to be like the Canadian women.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What good times we have had!&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I remember well the very first
+      night I saw you. Do you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; she breathed, &ldquo;don't speak of it, or I can't hold in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Elfie,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Larry, Larry,&rdquo; cried the child, flinging herself upon him. &ldquo;Let me
+      cry, then. I can't hold in any longer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Neither can I, little girl. See, Elfie, there is no use trying not to,
+      and I am not ashamed of it, either,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you, Larry, oh, what you did for me!&rdquo; said the child. &ldquo;I was so sick
+      and miserable and bad and cross and hateful.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That was just because you were not fit,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; Elfie nodded. &ldquo;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?&rdquo; Again Elfie nodded.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad you let me cry,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I was so hot and sore here,&rdquo; and
+      she laid her hands upon her throat. &ldquo;And I am glad you cried too, Larry;
+      and I won't cry before people, you know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is right. There are going to be too many sad people about for us to
+      go crying and making them feel worse,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I will say good-bye here, Larry. I could go to the train, but then I
+      might not quite smile.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This farewell business is something too fierce,&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;How do these women send their husbands off and their
+      sons? God knows, it is beyond me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How big and fine you look, Larry! You must be pounds heavier,&rdquo; she cried,
+      viewing him from afar.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Twenty pounds, and hard as hickory. Never so fit in my life,&rdquo; replied her
+      brother, who was indeed a picture of splendid and vigorous health.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are perfectly astonishing. But everything is astonishing these days.
+      Why, even father, till he broke his leg&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Broke his leg?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And mother?&rdquo; enquired Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;Well, it is quite beyond words.
+      I can't talk about it, that's all.&rdquo; Nora's voice grew unsteady and she
+      took refuge in silence. After a few moments she went on: &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, never heard anything; I know really nothing of that retreat,&rdquo; said
+      Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;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&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My God!&rdquo; cried Larry. &ldquo;What a great death!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And so Kathleen goes about with her head high and Sybil, too,&mdash;Mrs.
+      Waring-Gaunt, you know,&rdquo; continued Nora, &ldquo;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&mdash;heart
+      trouble, though I think he is more likely to injure himself here preaching
+      as he does than at the war.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And yourself, Nora? Carrying the whole load, I suppose,&mdash;ranch, and
+      now this mine. You are getting thin, I see.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No fear,&rdquo; said Nora. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh! he would, eh?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He would, or he would not be coming about Lakeside Farm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then he does come about?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; said Nora with an exaggerated air of indifference. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, a good man is Dean.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I had a letter from Jane this week,&rdquo; continued Nora, changing the subject
+      abruptly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have not heard for two weeks,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Helen Brookes!&rdquo; exclaimed Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Jane says you knew her. She was engaged to Scuddy. And Scallons is
+      gone too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Scallons!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And Smart, Frank Smart.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Frank Smart! Oh! his poor mother! My God, this war is awful and grows
+      more awful every day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;if I had one&mdash;were killed I could not, I just
+      could not, bear it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, Larry, is that you? I cannot believe my ears.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you hear about Ramsay Dunn? Oh, he did splendidly. He was wounded;
+      got a cross or something.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, that is settled, is it? Jane told me it was possible.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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&mdash;drive a
+      car, an ambulance, wash, scrub, carry despatches, anything.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;By Jove, you would be a good one!&rdquo; exclaimed her brother. &ldquo;I would like
+      to have you in my company.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Couldn't it be worked in any possible way?&rdquo; cried Nora.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come right in here,&rdquo; 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. &ldquo;You
+      gave him to me,&rdquo; he heard her whisper, not in her ordinary manner of
+      reverent formal prayer, but as if remonstrating with a friend. &ldquo;You know
+      you gave him to me and I gave him back.&mdash;I know he is not mine.&mdash;But
+      won't you let me have him for a little while?&mdash;It will not be so very
+      long.&mdash;Yes, yes, I know.&mdash;I am not holding him back.&mdash;No,
+      no, I could not, I would not do that.&mdash;Oh, I would not.&mdash;What am
+      I better than the others?&mdash;But you will give him back to me again.&mdash;There
+      are so many never coming back, and I have only one boy.&mdash;You will let
+      him come back.&mdash;He is my baby boy.&mdash;It is his mother asking.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry could bear it no longer. &ldquo;Oh, mother, mother, mother,&rdquo; he cried.
+      &ldquo;You are breaking my heart. You are breaking my heart.&rdquo; His sobs were
+      shaking the bed on which he leaned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His mother lifted her head. &ldquo;What is it, Lawrence, my boy?&rdquo; she asked in
+      surprise. &ldquo;What is it?&rdquo; Her voice was calm and steady. &ldquo;We must be
+      steadfast, my boy. We must not grudge our offering. No, with willing
+      hearts we must bring our sacrifice.&rdquo; She passed into prayer. &ldquo;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.&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;in that she feared,&rdquo; in her surrender she found
+      victory, in her cross, peace. And that serene calm of hers remained
+      undisturbed to the very last.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There were tears again at the parting, but the tears fell gently, and
+      through them shone ever her smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My! but you do look fine in your uniform,&rdquo; said Jane, &ldquo;and so strong, and
+      so big; you have actually grown taller, I believe.&rdquo; Her eyes were fairly
+      standing out with pride and joy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not much difference north and south,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;but east and west,
+      considerable. And you, Jane, you are looking better than ever. Whatever
+      has happened to you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hard work,&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hear you are in the Big Business up to your neck,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;There
+      is so much to do, I can well believe it. And so your father is going? How
+      splendid of him!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, every one is doing what he can do best. Father will do the ambulance
+      well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I hear you are going too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not know about that,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane,&rdquo; said Larry abruptly, &ldquo;I must see Helen. Can we go at once when we
+      take the others home?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will take you,&rdquo; said Jane. &ldquo;I am glad you can go. Oh, she is lovely,
+      and so sweet, and so brave.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Leaving the Colonel in Dr. Brown's care, they drove to the home of Helen
+      Brookes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I dread seeing her,&rdquo; said Larry, as they approached the house.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, you need not dread that,&rdquo; said Jane.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;beauty queen&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The officers, from the Colonel down, have been so good to me,&rdquo; she said.
+      &ldquo;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!&rdquo; She showed Larry a thick
+      bundle of letters. &ldquo;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&mdash;I am afraid I did not help him much in that way&mdash;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Helen, you are wonderful,&rdquo; said Larry, who was openly wiping away his
+      tears. &ldquo;Scuddy was a big man, a better man I never knew, and you are
+      worthy of him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They were passing out of the room when Helen pulled Larry back again.
+      &ldquo;Larry,&rdquo; she said, her words coming with breathless haste, &ldquo;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,&rdquo; she suddenly
+      wrung her hands, &ldquo;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.&rdquo; She put her arms around his neck and kissed him, hastily
+      wiped her eyes, and passed out to Jane with a smiling face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They hurried away, for the hours in Winnipeg were short and there was much
+      to do and much to say.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let her go, Jane,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;I am in a deuce of a hurry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, Larry, what is the rush about just now?&rdquo; said Jane in a slightly
+      grieved voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have something I must attend to at once,&rdquo; said Larry. &ldquo;So let her go.&rdquo;
+       And Jane drove hard, for the most part in silence, till they reached home.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dr. Brown,&rdquo; said Larry, in a quick, almost peremptory voice, &ldquo;may I see
+      you for a moment or two in your office?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, what's up? Not feeling well?&rdquo; said Dr. Brown, while the others
+      looked anxiously at him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I am fit enough,&rdquo; said Larry impatiently, &ldquo;but I must see you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sure there is something wrong,&rdquo; said Jane, &ldquo;he has been acting so
+      queer this evening. He is so abrupt. Is that the military manner?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps so,&rdquo; said the Colonel. &ldquo;Nice chap, Larry&mdash;hard worker&mdash;good
+      soldier&mdash;awfully keen in his work&mdash;making good too&mdash;best
+      officer I've got. Tell you a secret, Jane&mdash;expect promotion for him
+      any time now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Meantime Larry was facing Dr. Brown in his office. &ldquo;Doctor,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I
+      want to marry Jane.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good heavens, when did this strike you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This evening. I want to marry her right away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Right away? When?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Right away, before I go. To-night, to-morrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you mad? You cannot do things like that, you know. Marry Jane! Do you
+      know what you are asking?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And what does Jane think about it?&rdquo; enquired the Doctor, gazing at Larry
+      in a bewildered manner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane! Good Lord! I don't know. I never asked her!&rdquo; Larry stood gaping at
+      the Doctor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, upon my word, you are a cool one!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I never thought of it, Doctor,&rdquo; said Larry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never thought of it? Are you playing with me, boy?&rdquo; said the Doctor
+      sternly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will go and see her,&rdquo; said Larry, and he dashed from the room. But as
+      he entered the study, dinner was announced, and Larry's question perforce
+      must wait.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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 &ldquo;yes&rdquo; there was
+      time to-morrow to be married; if &ldquo;no&rdquo; then the more gladly he would go to
+      the war.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Awfully jolly, this fire. We'll do without the lights,&rdquo; 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,
+      &ldquo;Jane, you dear, dear thing, won't you marry me?&rdquo; 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&mdash;&ldquo;God
+      help me then,&rdquo; he groaned aloud, unthinking.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it, Larry?&rdquo; she said, turning her face quickly toward him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was just thinking, Jane, that to-morrow I&mdash;that is&mdash;&rdquo; He
+      paused abruptly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Larry, I know, I know.&rdquo; 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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane,&rdquo; he cried in a voice sharp with the intensity of his feeling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In an instant they were both on their feet and facing each other.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane, dear, dear Jane, I love you so, and I want you so.&rdquo; He stretched
+      out his arms to take her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Startled, her face gone deadly pale, she put out her hands against his
+      breast, pushing him away from her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Larry!&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Larry, what are you saying?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Slowly her arms dropped to her side. &ldquo;You love me, Larry?&rdquo; she whispered.
+      Her eyes began to glow like stars in a pool of water, deep and lustrous,
+      her lips to quiver. &ldquo;You love me, Larry, and you want me to&mdash;to&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Jane, I want you to be my wife.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your wife, Larry?&rdquo; she whispered, coming a little closer to him. &ldquo;Oh,
+      Larry,&rdquo; she laid her hands upon his breast, &ldquo;I love you so, and I have
+      loved you so long.&rdquo; The lustrous eyes were misty, but they looked steadily
+      into his.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dear heart, dear love,&rdquo; he said, drawing her close to him and still
+      gazing into her eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      She wound her arms about his neck and with lips slightly parted lifted her
+      face to his.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane, Jane, you wonderful girl,&rdquo; he said, and kissed the parted lips,
+      while about them heaven opened and took them to its bosom.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When they had come back to earth Larry suddenly recalled his conversation
+      with her father. &ldquo;Jane,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;when shall we be married? I must tell
+      your father.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Married?&rdquo; said Jane in a voice of despair. &ldquo;Not till you return, Larry.&rdquo;
+       Then she clung to him trembling. &ldquo;Oh, why were you so slow, Larry? Why did
+      you delay so long?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Slow?&rdquo; cried Larry. &ldquo;Well, we can make up for it now.&rdquo; He looked at his
+      watch. &ldquo;It's nine o'clock, Jane. We can be married to-night.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nonsense, you silly boy!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then to-morrow we shall be married, I swear. We won't make Helen's
+      mistake.&rdquo; And he told her of Helen Brookes's supreme regret. &ldquo;We won't
+      make that mistake, Jane. To-morrow! To-morrow! To-morrow it will be!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Larry, listen. Papa&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your father will agree.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And my clothes?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Clothes? You don't need any. What you have on will do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This old thing?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perfectly lovely, perfectly splendid. Never will you wear anything so
+      lovely as this.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And then, Larry, what should I do? Where would I go? You are going off.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you will come with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But Jane's wise head was thinking swiftly. &ldquo;I might come across with
+      Papa,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;We were thinking&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; cried Larry. &ldquo;You come with me. He will follow and pick you up in
+      London. Hurry, come along and tell him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Larry, this is awful.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Splendid, glorious, come along. We'll settle all that later.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He dragged her, laughing, blushing, almost weeping, to the study. &ldquo;She
+      says she will do it to-morrow, sir,&rdquo; he announced as he pushed open the
+      door.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you say?&rdquo; said the Doctor, gazing open-mouthed at him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She says she will marry me to-morrow,&rdquo; he proclaimed as if announcing a
+      stupendous victory.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She does!&rdquo; said the Doctor, still aghast.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good heavens!&rdquo; exclaimed the Colonel. &ldquo;To-morrow? We are off to-morrow!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Larry swung upon him eagerly. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jane gasped. &ldquo;With all those men?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good Lord!&rdquo; exclaimed the Colonel. &ldquo;The boy is mad.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We might perhaps take the later train,&rdquo; suggested Jane demurely. &ldquo;But, of
+      course, Papa, I have never agreed at all,&rdquo; she added quickly, turning to
+      her father.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That settles it, I believe,&rdquo; said Dr. Brown. &ldquo;Colonel, what do you say?
+      Can it be done?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Done?&rdquo; shouted the Colonel. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But nothing is ready,&rdquo; said Jane, appalled at the rush of events. &ldquo;Not a
+      dress, not a bridesmaid, nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have got a 'phone,&rdquo; cried Larry, gloriously oblivious of
+      difficulties. &ldquo;Tell everybody. Oh, sir,&rdquo; he said, turning to Dr. Brown
+      with hand outstretched, &ldquo;I hope you will let her come. I promise you I
+      will be good to her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      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.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dear child,&rdquo; he said, and his voice sounded hoarse and strained, &ldquo;how
+      like you are to your mother to-night.&rdquo; 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, &ldquo;Boy, I give her to you. As you
+      deal with her, so may God deal with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Amen,&rdquo; said Larry solemnly, taking her hand in his.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      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, &ldquo;Happy days. Nora and I following your good example.
+      See you later in France. Signed, Dean.&rdquo; The other, from the Minister of
+      Militia at Ottawa to Lieutenant-Colonel Waring-Gaunt. &ldquo;Your suggestion
+      approved. Captain Gwynne gazetted to-morrow as Major. Signed, Sam Hughes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ladies and Gentlemen,&rdquo; cried the Colonel, beaming upon the company,
+      &ldquo;allow me to propose long life and many happy days for the Major and the
+      Major's wife.&rdquo; And as they drank with tumultuous acclaim, Larry turned
+      and, looking upon the radiant face at his side, whispered:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jane, did you hear what he said?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; whispered Jane. &ldquo;He said 'the Major.'&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That's nothing,&rdquo; said Larry, &ldquo;but he said 'the Major's wife!'&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      And so together they went to the war.
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+
+
+
+
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+</pre>
+  </body>
+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Major, by Ralph Connor
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Major
+
+Author: Ralph Connor
+
+Release Date: May 30, 2006 [EBook #3249]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAJOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Donald Lainson
+
+
+
+
+
+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 the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Major, by Ralph Connor
+
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+***The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Major, by Ralph Connor***
+#9 in our series by Ralph Connor
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+Title: The Major
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+Author: Ralph Connor
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+
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+
+
+
+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
+
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