The Lure of the North

bout. The spacious room was filled with skilfully tempered light that glimmered on colored glasses and sparkled on silver; pillars and cornices were decor

rctic cold, and the heat of the short summer, when bloodthirsty mosquitoes swarm; and ran daunting risks on the lonely prospecting trail. Now it looked as if chance had offered him an easier lot; he could apparently choose between the

Thirlwell had improved in Canada, and she thought he would be welcomed if he returned to England. She had been his mother's friend, and during the week or two they had now spent tog

he liked his firm mouth and steady look. His figure was good and marked by a touch of athletic grace. Then she was, on the whole, satisfied with the way he chose and wore his clothes. His mother had held a leading place in the exclusive society of a quiet cathedral town, until her husband lost his s

ery talkative,

ger, he had indulged a romantic tenderness for the girl. This, however, was long since, and the renewal of their friendship in Canada left him cold. Evelyn was gracious, and he sometimes thought she had not forgotten his youthful admiration, but she did not feel things much, and he suspecte

t evening together, and one feels

coming to New York with

o a young American, but looked

y not coming,

lk, and Mrs. Allott wondered whether the girl had not overdone h

there's only a week of my holiday left and I have some bu

e bush at all. Besides, we hoped you had decided to come to England." She paused an

eless smile. She was very composed, but Mrs. All

me to try. Nobody could persuade

lott, who sat with the others, but had been silent.

tranquil glance in which t

s better than we do what will please him bes

o that?" Allott asked T

inate. But I don't think she has stated the case correctly.

tables and Mrs. Allott, getting up

o you. You may listen to his ar

," Allott remarked, and touched Thirlwell as Mrs. Allott

across the climbing town. Church spires, the steep roofs of old houses, and the flat tops of modern blocks, rose in the moonlight through a thin gray haze of smoke. Lower down, a track of g

Jim, and throw away the bes

ffer of the post with t

Allott dryly. "Perhaps I have spoke

erhaps we had better stick to Sir James's offer. Why does he make

then. He hadn't as much influence, and perhaps wanted to see what you could do. I expect he was surprised when you g

hey gave him his title. There were things done when the combine was made the sha

He offers you a good post, wi

a thoughtful look. "In a way, I'd have be

r all, there are other engineers in Canada; I don't suppose your

an understanding that I'd stay un

less than you're now offer

treat me well, though they're a small firm and the mine is not prospering. In

ing out is rather a curious

e of the companies Sir James bought up, writes to me. I suppose one mustn't be too fastidious, but there are things the man who takes the post I'm offere

es not pay big dividends. It's a

out another director building a hospital. One do

while airing one's views may be harmless, trying to live up to them do

s an honest man. If I can live a

he terms on which you'll come, I imagine he'll agree. This should make things easier,

rs by the wharf. Then the hoot of a deep whistle rang across the town, and red and white flashes pierced the darkness down the river. A big liner, signaling her tug, was coming

old, and now his pay left little over when he had satisfied his frugal needs. All would be different if he went back to England, and he pondered over Allott's specious arguments. There was no reason he should not take the offered post if he could do so on his terms, and

resumed. "You can't think about ma

want to marry. I coul

ou chose a wif

I expect it would be hard to find a ric

tter's delicate, and perhaps requires a lighter touch tha

grimness. "I hoped you'd both let t

which, Sir James would approve her marrying you. He has hinted that he'll give you a chance of making your mark in England if he is satisfied. Evelyn

m. "Why is Sir James

lize the ambitions he's getting too old to carry out. He has noted that you have inherited your father's character, and I've hea

f-control, lighted a cigarette

irl; amiable, pretty, tranquil, but there's no grou

gine, because I know you both, that if you were firm enough, you could, so to

l not marry to please him or let him plan my career. I mean to stand on my own feet and not be r

and since you mean to take your own line, wish y

d she smiled as they passed, but an hour later Thirlwell saw her alone. Sh

rsuaded you to come w

ery sorry, but there are

h a side glance. "I suppose you ar

not," Thirlw

rather curious smile. "From the begi

lwell. "Still I

u should stay in Canada, and I wish you luck." She paused a moment and resumed: "I want you to feel

tform of the Grand Trunk station, and Evelyn, leaning on the rails