The Lure of the North

hotel was comfortable, he had met one or two interesting people, and was told the fishing was good; besides, he thought he would not be badly needed at the mine just then. For all that, he w

mail went out. Then as he crossed the veranda Ag

early," Thirl

freshness and have

," said Thirlwell, noting a small wet

ng to paddle. I have been practising since I came, but it i

reed. "The back-featherin

I mean to learn

each it you. How l

d when she left him Thirlwell went to

each and found the girl launching a canoe. Making her sit near the middle, he knelt in the stern and drove the canoe across the shining water with vigorou

d the canoe, until he ran the craft on a shingle point and they changed places. Agatha took the single-bladed paddle and although h

emarked. "For one thing, you're determined; I saw you

to try it in the river by and by. You must p

the tracking line. But I don't s

t," Agatha answe

you practise can

I haven't time. You s

holidays and

are occupie

Thirlwell remarked. "At one time, I was very keen about my profession, but soon fo

geology, but not in or

but you learn when you undertake rude mining that the main thing is to be able to ma

"Some day I hope to make a go

noeing, o

ever, I think we'll make for the lan

ch in the evening and he gave her another lesson. As they paddled home he

a few pines on its summit that rose indistinc

ch with me and

o or three hours' wa

hen I got near the rocks. After that I had a rough scramble, but I

for one. But don't the girls in

ha answered with a smile. "But I think some peo

the lake and, by disused logging trails, long distances into the shadowy bush. Thirlwell imagined she knew this excited some remark, but he saw there was an imperious vein in the girl, who did what she thou

low him, she would not let him turn back when they came to an angry rapid or a belt of tangled woods. She certainly had charm besides having pluck, because when she did not go fishing young wo

a western headland cut black and sharp against an orange glow. To the east a faint track of silver ran back into the blue distance under the moon. It was very quiet except

iking united them, but he was not her lover and knew that if he drifted into philandering she would be repelled. Perhaps this was unusual,

e to-morrow, don't you

here's something melancholy about the end of a holid

ant her to read a sentimental meaning in his admiss

they are gone! But do you feel daunted by the thought

summer, in spite of the mosquitoes, the bush gets hold of you. Somet

n the wilderness, but next summer

whe

d quietly. Thirlwell looked hard at her, and she smiled. "Yes;

anoe and train yourself to walking through the bush. But it's a ridiculou

nts for something when you

ou will need canoes, tools, and tents, and two or three good packers to carry the outfit across the divides. This would be ex

her preparations. It's some time since I resolved to go, and every m

er you found it

should not have taken this holiday only that I wanted to get used

l's brain, but he used some restraint. He must no

eir money and lost their health following an illusion. The lode, so to speak, haunted him and made him restless when he might have been content at home, and then drove him into

as got hold of me, but one must follow one's bent, and life is tame if one does no

well dryly. "But why do

y brother would prosper without his help, and I think he lov

s head. "I cannot

st finish my father's work. His son and his best friends thought him the victim of

in the barren solitudes. Some had come back broken in fortune and courage, and some had not come back at all. Then while he mused the harsh cry of the loon rang through the dark. It fired his blood, and unconsciously he fixed his eyes on the No

We have the tools and outfit one needs for prospectin

I shall find the lode.

udent and stuck to my job, but I've felt the pull of the lone trail like

ver done any

luck; but the curious thing is that it'

omebody I could trust to look after the packers and canoes; but the jou

come? It's

m ready I will let you know. Now, how

wake that trailed away and was lost in a glitter of moonlight. The black pines on the point rose higher, resinous smells came out of the dark, and

said. "I have much to thank yo

a promise and when they next met it would be beside a river of the Nor