Carnac's Folly, Volume 1.

r woods and the far circle of sky and pine and hemlock. The voice that called was young and vibrant, and had in it the simple, true soul o

rocky ledges, held by the prong of a rock, where man's purpose could, apparently, avail so little. Then he had watched the black-bearded river-drivers with their pike-poles and their levers loose the key-logs of the bunch, and the tumb

s the great lumber-king of Canada, and Junia was the child of a lawyer who had done little wi

ration and decision, though very clever. He was led from thing to thing like a ray of errant light, and he did not put a hand

the girl exceedingly, and he loved Carnac little less, though in a different way.

for beard of dark brown, streaked with grey; his features were rugged and fine; and his eyes were like two coals burning under a gnarled headland; for his forehead, ample and full, had lines which

cks was fine, gracious, and full of life-life without alarm. At length he saw the girl falter slightly, then make a swift deceptive movement to

s thing. The boy had meant nothing more than he had shown, and Denzil traced the act to a native sense of luxury in his nature. Knowing the boy's father and mother as he did, it seemed strange that Carnac should have such demonstration in his character. Of all the women

so little like himself, and also so little like his mother. He, Denzil, was a Catholic, and he could not understand a man like John Grie

she had buoyant spirits, which, however, were counterbalanced by moments of extreme timidity, or, rather, reserve and shyness. On a day like this, when everything in life was singing, she must sing too. Not a mile away was a hut by the river where her father had brought his family for the summer's fishing; not a half- mile

consider. The boy kept looking at his boots with the brass- tipped toes. He hated

on't know why they brass a boy's toes like that, but w

r them now?" sh

t know my

ver, but he don't seem to mind that. He's got fads, though, about how we are to live, and this is one of them." He looked at the brass-tipped boots carefully. A sudden resolve came into his face.

st day you're going

boys feel towards thei

treat me

d Junia. "Look-Carnac!

down. In another moment he had made his way to a descending path which led him swiftly to the river's

ed?" she calle

ve. Don't be frightened. He's not in the water. It was only about a th

s leg is broken. You go to my father's camp-it's near. People a

ing the deformed broken-legged habitant. He brought some water in his straw hat

at place wasn't safe, but I went on it myself. That's the way in life. We do w

he added: "That's what

c. That's wha

way

never can t

oy. "The thing is, do what you feel you'v

the little man, "but this leg

and carefully he took off the boot and sock from the broken leg, and, with his penknife,

swered Denzil heavily. "They'l

f sense, she won't

ere, he'll not forget an

," said the boy stubbornly, his chin in his hands,

the stricken Denzil came the words: "Yo

red, and pre

se, you'd have been in the water, and

em coming-

ars. "Yes, you're rig

ame sliding down the bank, a rope in h

ll, eh! Dang little fool- now, you are a

nded man's head and shoulders, and slipped t

A moment later he lifted Denzil in his arms, and carried h

ather. "M'sieu', Carnac hates wearing t

He blew his nose hard, with a bandana han

imself about t

le ambulance was made under the skilful direction of the river- master. He had the

as he saw Denzil on the stret

asked

," replied his father.

ou set it?"

tentively. "Well, I might, with