Blake's Burden

their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him. When they mentioned their fir

lakes," he said. "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the ri

him for any useful h

your secret close. There's another thing I might mention." He turned

's a long time since I met him. But

housand dollars out of him one way or another and isn't satisfied with that. Lent him money on mortgage to start a fo

's Clarke

on's place is worth something; Clarke sees it's properly farmed. However, yo

wild young subaltern, and it did not seem fitting to leave him in the clutches of a man who was ruining him in health and fortune

like to take Benson with

your friend isn't the kind we want. He may give us trouble, and you can't cou

ounger than Blake and had a muscular figure, but he looked shaky and his face was

"If I made any unfortunate allusions you must overlook the

riends, you had better understand that I can't tolera

nce. "Though I don't think you have much caus

o has agreed to a suggestion I'm going to make. We wan

k hands with Harding. "I wonder

ld be of any use or not; but you had better come. The tr

respectable people sometimes show a meddlesome thoughtfulness which degen

me with being respectable," Blake rejoined with a

ou and moose up yonder; great sights when the rivers break up in spring, and a sledge trip across the snow must be a thing to r

hat fellow Clarke suck the life and energy o

I'll try to explain." Benson indicated the d

es of the ravine in front. There was no sign of activity, but two or three untidy loungers leaned against a rude shack with "Pool Room," painted on

ation, and, for a man used to something different, life at a lonely homeste

't you quit?"

my because a financial disaster I wasn't responsible for stopped my allowance and I was in debt. Eventually about two thousand pounds were saved out of the wreck, and I came here with that feeling badly hipped, which was one r

all the comforts and amenities of civilized life. No interests are offered him beyond those connected with his task; for half the year he must toil unremittingly from dawn to dark, and depend upon his own resources through the long, bitter winter. For society he may have a hired

wo or three months hard work in the open and very plain living, you'll feel yourself a match for Clarke when you get back. Though there's no reason wh

failings. What he desired was a means of escaping their consequences, and the American, whose tone was reassuringly matter of fact,

you, but I guess it's possible to shake him off. As things sta

th in what you say." Benson looked disturbed and irresolute, but after a few moments he abruptly

," Harding s

t our road. He's a rogue, but that's no reason we shouldn't make him useful. If he can help us, pay him and be careful what you say. Remember

the floor was uncovered and a rusty stove stood in the middle of it, but Clarke was seated at a handsome American desk. He wore old overalls and the soil upon his boots suggested that he had been engaged in fall ploughing. As Benson c

idden over for a talk. Gla

larke seemed to consider. Then he took out a sm

it's too valuable for me to lend it you, this will show you your way through the timber belt."

resumed: "I'll give you a few directions, and you had better take them down, but you'll want a canoe and on

d cautiously. "It's possible that we mightn't find the I

ns before you go, but there's another matter I want to talk about."

't see what conn

Hear me out. You were a lieutenant of engineers

t's not a subject I'm d

ike to say that there is some reason for believing y

t remind you that I have given

are you content to qui

Besides, I don't see what y

ke myself; but I know you were turned out

hard to understand how you arriv

at the most important matter is that you were driven out of a calling you liked and were sent here, ruined in

uld be difficult,"

learn where the other's suggestions led and how much he k

oice of careers in England, and there's another point to be considered

," Blake replied with the col

Clarke paused and added significantly: "In fact I could show you a way in which the matter could be straightened out

e could change it when he liked, but he had no intention of doing so. This was an old resolve, but it was disconcerting to feel that an unscrupulous fellow was anxious to meddle

n the subject," he answered s

rke acquiesced good-humouredl

rections I promised, particularly as it may help me to earn fifty dollars.

he man could have guessed, but h

" said Clarke in a tone of indifference. "Now sit

ad gone, Clarke sat still for a time with a curious smile. Blake had firmly declined to be influenced by his hin