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