Glen of the High North

ries, that many of the old-timers became sceptical, and waited for further developments. There were some, however, who were always on the lookout for anything new, and the ho

men from the outside, as well as miner

after, and, accordingly, he did not need a large outfit. He also learned that provisions could be procured at the mining camp, where a store had been established. He, therefore, took with him only what was absolutely nec

and was answered with a curt "Don't know." He wondered who the Indian could be. There seemed to be a mutual understanding between him and the girl, at any rate, and they must have depa

out the old prospector, as it was different from enquiring about Glen. In fact, the girl had become so real to him

idea even suggested itself that she might be that stolid Indian's wife. Strange things often happened in the north, so he had

he played, wondering where the fellow had first met Glen and what he knew about her. He had never spoken to the rascal, and had no inclination to do so. But several times glancing up from his cards Curly noticed Reynolds' eyes fixed intently upon him. Although he had found out that the quiet, reserved man was not a "parson," yet he knew that he had been with Fron

mountain began, the passengers scrambled quickly ashore, and started at once upon their hard journey, carrying heavy loads upon their backs. With their long trip of several thousan

ted on the trail as anywhere else. His pack was heavy and the day promised to be very warm. He preferred to be alone, away from the

was the last link between him and the great outside world of civilization. In a few hours it would be gone, and for an instant there came to him the longing to go back and give up his foolish quest. He banished the temptation, however, and plodded stea

could look forth upon vast reaches of forest and great wild meadows far below, with here and there placid lakes, mirroring trees, mountain peaks, and bill

been in many a day. The air was invigorating, and a desire came over him to be up and doing. His old indifference to life seemed to slip away like a useless and impeding garment, leaving him free for action. He even thoug

. "It is stimulating and impelling. It may be the spirit of the mountains, and the other grand things of nature. They are carrying out the designs for which they were

y. His step was more buoyant, his heart lighter, and t

uld find water among that heavy timber ahead of him, and thither he made his way. Neither was he mistaken, for when his steps at length began to lag he heard the ripple of water drifting up the trail. As

ed among the trees, and to his surprise he saw Frontier Samson squatting upon the ground, roasting a grou

ebbe ye'd played out, tumbled down the side of the mountain,

lds asked in reply, as he unslung his pack and to

I do. I'm here to-day an' somewhere else to-morrow. I'm allus on

ve heard. Is that the way with you?" Re

ke some of the fellers in big cities, but I git a heap of

eynolds questioned. "You were not on the

e from the fire, and

o his satisfaction, h

n'-pan, will ye?" and h

the bird's cooked. Ye

oung man, did ye?" and

nol

't," was the e

Why, it's no tellin' where that bird was three days ago. It may have been

ch like it," and

prises on every trail, as ye'll larn if ye haven't done so already. Meetin' me here is one of 'em, an' my m

happy ending, I hope," a

e drew the bird from the fire, and

ight this time," he re

st sta

ce to the meal. Samson had some excellent

e explained, "an' it tu

I'd have compa

the others?" R

met 'em," Sa

hey far

ike a bunch of monkeys. G

surprised t

out of sight. I didn't want to meet that crowd; they're

olds remarked. He was anxious to draw the prospector out. Perha

d, as he finished his supper and pulled out his pipe. "I

wn him for so

o be suspiciou

very friendly wi

I've yanked him out of many a nasty fix. Most likely he'd been pla

more than gold,

ung man?" There was a sha

him in the smoking-room of the Northern Light

hat wa

girl somewhere here in the north, and that she is so guarde

e surmised, is it?" t

I ri

r not fer

he girl? Do you

believe I've seen her, all right. But as fer knowin' her father, wall, that's a d

u say?" Reynold

young man. The name s

t before mine was 'Glen Weston,' and the girl who wrote it came nort

ld ye before, it's ginerally the unexpected that happ

saw them together at a dance

s pipe from his mouth and stared

r they came over and sat down quite close to me. Curly did most of the talking, and the girl seemed quite uneas

with her," Samson muse

what the old man'll say

ill he

ght. There's nuthin' that m

l he do t

say at present. That

eston a desper

I guess they ought to know. He's a holy terror when he gi

all know about

ver her. She's been the cause of many

e favor

rself. She's not anxious fer lovers, so I understand, at least, not the brand ye find up here

r father do?

ike a lord on Big Lake, way over yonder," and Samson motioned to the east. "All the folks know that he lives tha

, though, and alone a

lds q

dication, so I hear. She must be comi

er, do you suppose, aft

sappeared as if by magi

omething to

red?" was the sudden and so

He knew that he had betrayed himself, an

he explained, "and I saw by the reg

ted in her, too, a

er at a street crossing in Vancouver she has been hardly out of my mind. I never

ld hardened chap meself, but I do like to hear a real interestin' heart-story once in a while. I git sick an' disgusted listenin' to brutes on two legs, callin' themselves men wh

irst saw Glen Weston. It was easy to talk there in the silence of the great forest, with the shadows of evening closing around and such a sympathe

ed straight before him off among the trees as if he saw something there. Reynolds wondered what he

he at length remarked. "Would any

yer confidence. Me own heart was stirred once, an' the feelin' ain't altogether left me yit. But ye've got a diff

rl, why don

up. The trouble'll be with her dad, an' don't fergit that. But thar, I guess we've talked enough about

ing my way?" Reyn

have me along. I'm boun

, and now that he had confided to him his tale of love, he was