The Girl from Keller's

f Gardiner's house. His brows were knit and he had in his had a letter from Kerr at the construction camp. The b

ough a fine network of twigs, dotted with minute tassels of gold. The beeches and oaks looked solid yet, but the former shone warm b

ys filled him with unrest, but the letter in his hand was a clearer call. Kerr had offered him a contract for hauling a quantity of telegraph posts and logs across the snow, and his calculations indicated that the work ought to be profitable.

it was a happiness that could not be attained by romantic dreams. He must earn it by tense effort, and was willing to pay the price; this wa

ually thoughtf

k about. I find I must go

are going away! But we thought-" She

omething to leave, but I've got to go. Perha

until she had read it, went on: "I can't

said Muriel. "Still yo

ked very grave, but she had for some ti

d can't see my way. That is, I do see wher

tly new. However, if yo

ne can trust you; in fact, I

Muriel said: "It comes to this-You are in love with Helen and mean to m

girl. She must give up everyth

se she wer

she doesn't know what

ny girls must run. But after all it

nds, and other things you enjoy

n't satisfy every need, and perhaps my example may be some encouragement. Fred isn't very clev

or that! Fred's a very good

nd stronger than me. But I imagine

will have to pay. I know she was willing to marry Charnock, b

little money would

e trouble is that I haven't much; only enou

uld have found it hard to forgive Fred if he had decided whether he ought to marry or not, without consulting me. It's a girl's right, no

, "I don't know if

mething you must find out for yours

the gathering dark. He had made up his mind and felt

matter. It was dull and damp outside, and a bright wood fire burned in the grate. The low-ceilinged room was very warm, its comfort seemed enervating, and he felt

hat I am going to ask He

he thought Miss Graham smiled. Perhaps

y sister first," Miss Graham remarked; but

Helen doesn't

" Festing declared. "I was afraid to alarm her by, so to

iner. "The caution you exercise

't known Helen long,"

enough. I knew I'd never marry anybody else wh

e him an approving look, b

but, of course, if you object, or

elt breathless, as if she had bee

helped him more than you perhaps thought. But there is something I must ask." She hesitated and then resumed: "You ha

I came first to you. I felt you should

rposed. "You want my sister's appr

wouldn't be altogether daunted. I might wait, bu

s my duty to guard her f

nt you have round you; a man must work from sunrise until it's dark, and there are many demands upon a woman. For all that, I can guard against Helen suffering actual hardship. In fact, she shall suffer not

ow long do you expect

hard and wait. The railroad throws out branches, elevators are built, small towns spr

time a little ca

I haven't much, but I think I have enough

he said: "Well, you have my consent to ask Helen; but if she i

hing," Festing declared. "I can't repay you

ned the lane, but a faint crimson glow from the west shone between the trunks. To the east, the quiet countryside rolled back into deepening shadow. For a moment Festing hesitated as he w

with disturbed feelings, for there

nute; I have something to say. To b

"That precipitates matters, because I must learn if I've hoped for too

en said quietly. "George told

's sake, but my own. I'd sooner you lik

I really do like you," Helen a

ough to

l glance. "Ah," she said, "aren't

d to study it on winter nights. It told me what you were, and when I saw you under the copp

have it?"

ssia leather case and

give yo

sting quietly

the c

l. I went to Winnipeg, but co

om the prairie bridge, and she was moved that he had ma

ued the portrait,"

soon as I met you I fell in love with

elen quietly,

t live in Canada; my homestead may seem rude and bare after your mother'

ave him a quick tender look. "Still

ed forward and too

ng to Mrs. Dalton and Miss

hing now, because it may make a difference in your plans," Mrs. Dalton remarked "You admitted that some

ake a difference, but

e money," Mrs.

is brows. "I didn

us," Miss Grah

pace or two, and stopped

wned. "Then she had better keep

easonable?" Mis

wife. I don't want to live on Helen'

it is not a large sum and can be used for Helen's benefit. It may save

e land I bought to Helen and record it in her name. It's bound to go up in value and couldn't be taken from her unless she borrowed on a mortgage. The arran

"We thought it better not to t

Festing, who was

t saw that he had not. The fellow was a cur and would not have marri

l get a lawyer to fix it up. In a way, it's some relief t

a smile. "I expect mother has told you I'm not

h risk of your finding things too hard, but I'd hav

tain prettiness

r all it's, so to speak, an accident, like your money

she said, "now you'