Flower of the North

his side. He knew that Miss Brokaw was talking and laughing, and that he was nodding his head and answering her

were so deeply involved, the arrival of the London ship had even more hopelessly entangled them, were forgotten for the moment in the desire to i

d, in a chiding voice, meant only for his ears. "

rly at the half qu

end of the pier when you landed. But I was looking for a man. I have been hunting for him for a long time. And I saw his face just as we came through the crowd. That is why I am

rew her hand

rry, or you may lose him. I would like to

w and the factor, who

ained. "I have excused myself to Miss Broka

, and this was toward the cliff. Once hidden by the fringe of forest, he hastened his steps until he was almost running. He had reached the base of the huge mass of rock that rose up from the sea, when do

ights before, or one so near like it that he could not have told them apart. It was tied into a knot, and he felt the crumpling of paper under the pressure of his fingers. He almost tore the bit of lace and linen in his e

the rock to-night, some time be

delicate as the bit of lace in which they had been delivered, and of a quaintness of style which added still more to the bewildering mystery which al

ommanded, in Eng

n. He understood the meaning of the look. From the cliff Jeanne and Pierre had seen his approach, and their meeting with the Indian boy had made it possible for them to intercept him in this manner. They were

the past few days was too perplexing to embroider with such a minor detail as this, and he turned back toward Churchill with the feeling that everything was working in his favor. During the next few hours he would c

hunt up Gregson and begin his work there. He knew that the artist would be expecting him, a

were thrust deep in his trousers pockets. The butts of innumerable half-smoked cigarettes lay scattered under his feet. He

last, "have you go

beyond me, Greggy. For Heaven'

rd lines of Gregson's face now. He s

Miss Brokaw and the girl whom I drew were one and the s

He stepped quickly up to Greg

since she left Halifax. Until she hove in sight off Churchill she hasn't been within two hundred miles of a coast this s

it was Miss Brokaw whom I saw the other

iar tone of finality in his voice which warned Philip that no amount of logic or arguing

escending by some miraculous chance aboard the ship that was bringing her father. However it may have happened, she was in Churchill a few days ago. On that hypothesis I am going

ry to show it to Brok

and fight, and let me handle this end of the business. Don't reveal me to the Brokaws. I don't want to meet-her-yet, though God knows if it

ifference," laughe

a little better view,

rge, but this is beginning to have its humorous as well as its tragic side. I'd giv

d if you produce her

g out a hand. "I'll report aga

he Brokaws he sought out the captain and found that the company's vessel had come directly from Halifax without a change or stop in her regular course. The word of the company's captain cleared up his doubts in one direction; it mystified him more than ever in another. He was convinced that Gregson had not seen Miss Brokaw until that morning. But who was Eileen's double? Where was she at this moment? What peculiar combination of circumstance had drawn

e rooms occupied by Brokaw and his daughter. Brokaw admitted him, and at Philip

on her, Phil, and she hasn't slept for two

ags under them. But otherwise he betrayed no signs of unrest or lack of rest. He motioned Philip to a chair close to a hu

ssion with effort. "In another three months we'd have been on a working basis, earning dividends. I'v

gar into the fire, and vicio

d there was a moment's silence,

en prepared

of them, especially the men at Blind Indian Lake. But-this fighting-Why

pers. Their next move is to strike directly at us. Whatever is to happen will happen soon. The plan is to attack us, to destroy our property, and the movement is to be advertised as a retaliation for heinous outrages perpetrated by our men. It is possible that the attack will not be by northerners

n would bring with it half a dozen schemes for the quiet undoing of their enemies. And now here was Brokaw, the man who always hedged himself in with legal breast-works-who never revealed himself to the shot of his enemies-enlisting himself for a fight in the open! Philip had told Gregson that there would be a fight. He was firmly convinced

he result if we

sounded the situation there. I have filed a formal declaration to the effect that such a movement is on foot, and have received a promise that the commissioner of police will investig

if we

ds and shoulders with

ntire north is inimical to our company, and the government will withdraw our

od would come of it? Brokaw was already aware of the seriousness of the situation. In some one of his unaccountable ways he had learned that their enemies were to strike almost immediately, and his own revelation of the Fitzhugh letters would but strengthen this evidence. He wou

self he would have found that the beautiful girl whom he had first seen on the moonlit rock was at the bottom of it. And yet Jeanne was a northerner, one of those against whom his actions must be directed. But he had confidence in himself, confidence in what that night would bring forth. He was like one freed from a bondage that had oppressed him for a long time, and the fact that he might be compelled to fight Jeanne's own people did not destroy his hopefulness, the new joy and excitement that he had found in life. As he hurried back to his cabin he told himself that both Jeanne and Pierre had read what he had sent to them in the handkerchief; their response was a proof that they understood him, and deep down a voice

artridge-belt and the revolver which usually hung over Gregson's bunk were gone. He never entered the cabin without looking at th

n had not returned. He boiled himself some coffee and sat down to wait. At five o'clock he was to eat supper with the Brokaws and the factor; Eileen, throug

ckening gray gloom of the northern sea. Across the dip in the Bay the huge, white-capped cliff seemed to loom nearer and more gigantic in the whimsical light. For a few moments a red bar shot across it, and as the

ntered. He closed the door, and when he turned she had risen and was holding out her hands to him. She had dressed for him, almost as on that night of the Brokaw ball. In the flashing play of the fire her exquisite arms and shoulders shone with dazzling beauty; her eyes laughed at him; her hair rippled in a golden floo

"Philip," she said, "no