Flower of the North

elapsed since he had dropped the handkerchief. Pierre could not have gone far among the ro

o, Pierre

urchill when once more he heard the howl of the dog far back in the forest. He stopped to locate as nearly as he could the point whence the

g on the edge of his bunk wh

was just trying to make up my mind to go out and

king," said Phi

r since you came back, wrote th

corrected Philip.

here at the table, writing like a fiend. Anyway, I've been thinking ever since

from his friend's manner of speaking that he h

ed, and slipped it under the blanket

eep it for a few da

you'll tell me why you

eamed that Carabobo planter was sticking a knife into you, Phil?-and the next day he tried it? Well, I've had a funny dream, I want

ierre and Jeanne, but he was not so sure that they would respond to it. He half expected that they would not, and yet he felt a deep sense of satisfaction in what he had done. If he met

they were of the forests? And where was Fort o' God? He had never heard of it before, and as he thought of Jeanne's strange, rich dress, of the heliotrope-scented handkerchief, of the old-fashioned rapier at Pierre's side, and of the

on as he found the opportunity. There would surely be those at Churchi

when he rolled out of his bunk a few ho

you go out mooning again please take me along, will you? Chuc

n had tacked the sketch against

y," he said, nodding. "Burke will j

gson, soberly, seating himself at

hy

hilip had seated himse

u want to. But it's God's truth that the girl I saw yesterday i

agreed Philip.

in surprise. "Why don'

er," said Philip. "I say t

rom Philip's fac

it hit you t

very bea

. "If I ever looked into an angel's face it was y

they

derf

aid Philip, engaging

It was her hair, Phil-not this tinsel sort of gold that makes you wonder if it's real, but the kind you dream about. Yo

ord Fi

s face. For a few moments he

. There was breeding and blood in every inch of her, and what I am wondering is if these two could be associated in any way. I don't wan

gson went to the Company's store, while Philip entered the building occupied by Pearce. Pearce was at his desk. He looked up with tired, puffy eyes, and his fa

ple of cigars and too

in your window after midnight, and I came within an ace of calling. Thought yo

. Suppose you saw me at work through the window?

Philip, carelessly. "You know this co

aiting for this damned railroad," said Pearce, in

edly tell me the loca

o' W

t o'

looke

udiously he went over it with the point of his stubby forefinger. "This is the latest from the government," he continued, with his back to Ph

south as that," s

eyes were fixed

repeated. "What sort o

rmation more out of curiosity than anything else.

o more information than had Pearce. He had never heard of Fort o' God. He could not remember the name of Couchee. During the next two hours Philip talked wi

at Pierre was not a man who would lie. He had measured him as a man who would fight, and not one who would lie. Besides,

ched with the factor, and a little later went boldly back to the cliff where he had met Jeanne and Pierre the preceding night. Although he had now come to expect no respo

gh the country between this trail and the edge of the Bay, searching for smoke from the top of every ridge that he climbed, listening for any sound that might give him a clue. He visited the

face as he gazed questioningly at his friend. His immaculate appearance was gone. He looked like one who had passed through an uncomfortable hour or two. Perspi

-take a good long

ip s

ist. "Do I look like a man in

d to the sketch hang

ack and brush heap in and around Churchill. I've hunted until I'm so tired I can hardly stand up. And the devil of it is, I can find no one else who got more than a glimpse of her, and then they did not see her as I did. She had nothing on her head when I saw her, but I remember no

ha

ment right here in Church

ld be hiding," said Philip, concealing t

nce or twice, and tossed it through the open door. Suddenl

l come in to-day, and I walked up as bold as you please and asked if there was anything for Lor

His fingers trembled as he unfolded the single sheet of pap

an hour.

s. The envelope was addressed in the same hand as the one he h

ok for war. Isn't that their significance? I repeat that it is singular this girl should come here so mysteriously, and disappear still more so, just at this psychological moment;

p sta

y told y

n who was with the girl when I saw her-and we can find him-we've as good as got this Lord Fitzhugh. If we don't

hugh won't receive the final word, and that wi

ans? I'll gamble my right hand that these very words have been sent to Lord Fitzhugh at two or three different points, so that they would be sure of reaching him

down, breat

ugall," he said. "But I-

rd for Brokaw and

ill be cleared up," replied Philip. "It is necessary that I remain here. That

t to reveal all that he knew to Gregson, and yet several reasons kept him from doing so. If Miss Brokaw was on the London ship when it arrived at Churchill, there would be no necessity of disclosing that part of his own history which he was keeping secret within himself. If Eileen was not on the ship her absence would be sufficient proof to him that she was in o

ind Indian Lake, warning him to be on his guard and to prepare the long line o

ained. "I've called for Lord Fitzhugh's mail, and I'd be

of the year-the arrival of the London ship-and Philip made inquiries on every trail. No one had seen those whom he described. The fourth and fifth days passed without any developments. So far as he could discover there wa

ed years the ships from over the sea

d anchor half a mile off shore, where she rode safe from the rocks at low tide. Along the shore below them, where Churchill lay, the fores

this a shabby reception on our part, and Miss Brokaw won't be ha

egated at the foot of the long stone pier alongside which the ship would lie for two or three hours at each hi

ou don't want to make your

ing excitedly as the boat drew nearer. He looked at Gregson. The artist was taking short, quick puffs on hi

a step forward, scarce restraining the exclamation that forced itself to his lips at the picture which it revealed. Standing on the broad rail, her slender form poised for the quick upward step, one hand extended to Bludsoe, was Eileen Brokaw! In another instant she was upon the pier, facing the strange peopl

lips set into thin lines. For a breath he stood thus, while Miss Brokaw's scrutiny traveled nearer to them. Then, suddenly, he

. Philip did not see the signal which she gave him. He was staring at the line of faces ahead of him. Two people had worked thei

out her arms to the other woman. Philip saw a sudden startled look leap into Miss Brokaw's face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. She stared at the forest girl, drew herself haughtily erect, and, with a word which he could not hear, turned to Bludsoe and her father. For an instant Jeanne stood as if some one had struck her a blow. Then, slowly, she turned. The flush was gone from her face. H

p!" sh

as interpreted by her as a welcome which it did not require speech to strengthen. He shook hands wi

hrill of repugnance at the gentle pressu