The Lure of the North

hed when his companions were asleep and had not come back. Next day Farnam returned and in the evening, when Mrs.

can't understand the thing," he said. "I reckon yo

aw the man," Agatha r

He worked well, but I don't know where he came from or where he's gone, and it would scare Mabel if we put the

, why did he wait instead of

understand it was blowing fresh and snowing when he came. The snow would cover his

he knew wher

heir pay." He paused and added thoughtfully: "Looks as

ed. "If he did know, it complicates the thing, because teachers

evenings, with Mabel's kitchen help and I guess she tells them a

tion is he expected to find something in your room

remember, I made him empty his pockets and he left two half-dollars!

t the man will find trouble waiting if he comes back. Let me

ng Mrs. Farnam's step in the passage,

of sleigh-bells on the road. The moon was nearly full and riding parties were going out for a drive across the glittering snow, while where the wind had swept it clear ice yachts were, no doubt, skimming about the lake. Agatha envied the happy people who could enjoy such

and a map of the North-West Territories occupied the end in front of Agatha. It was not a very good map and the natural features of the country were sketchily indi

bearing fruit. Agatha was young, but knew one soon got jaded and youth slipped away. There was a risk of her spending in unrewarded efforts the years that ought to be happiest, and then finding herself old and soured. Still, when she came t

rch the country he had traveled for the silver vein; and then, if she was persuaded it could not be found, she would have paid her debt and be free to lead the life that others le

wards a servant brought in a card and stated that a man wished to see her. On th

atha remarked. "But if he wants

e room. He was young and neatly dres

u are not much occupied, I hope

r harsh, his glance was quick, and his alert manner implied self-confidence. There was, however,

aged just now

innipeg, where I do business in real estate and sometimes undertake the development o

a is a farmi

rocks break out among the pine forests and in the last few years prospectors have found valuable minerals. Some are being worked, and I exp

ut I believe the lode

rritories. I expect your father of

Agatha. "Stil

tigate mining propositions, and where the owners want to sell, to find a buyer. Sometimes I le

e lode before I k

at's where I could help. But, to begin with, am I to understand your father altogether

g to excite much suspicion, but she felt that he

k to the North. I suppose you know h

heard so. But, no doubt, he wrote to y

with some reserve. "

s possible that a study of the letters would

ich eliminated large belts of country. Then if Stormont knew much about mining and was accustomed to negotiate the sale of claims, his curiosity

is record is registered as its owner when he ha

to some extent, and I'll make you two propositions. You can give me all the information you have about the ore, and, if I think it worth while, I will bear the cost of p

have read t

ark. Anyhow, if you decide on the first plan, you will be a partner an

ome time, while a man who knew all about mining could undertake it with a better chance of success.

ree weeks?" she asked. "I

the thaw comes. Prospecting is difficult in winter, but it's considerably easier traveling when the rivers are f

she saw that what she knew about it might be important. Stormont's explanation of his anxiety

know what my friends

ime may spoil our chanc

ha firmly. "I mu

g when you make your decision, but you can write to me. In the meantime,

aid Agatha and knitted h

runk from the task, but after all it was her duty. Then she could not ask George for advice. He had never believed in the lode and would, no doubt, tell her she was lucky to get an offer, and had

d a quiet, decided manner that she liked. He would not be daunted by obstacles, and if her resolution wavered, he would not let her shirk. She did not think him clever, but he would so

and she told him about the lame man who had broken into the house, before she came to Stormont's offer. Indeed, when she stopped she was surprised to

sleigh-shoes had run. A sleigh came up with a load of girls and young men in blanket-coats and furs. They seemed to be talking and laughing, but Agatha no longer

It would travel up winding rivers between dark walls of ragged pines, across frozen lakes, and among the rocks on high divides. Then the tired men would stop at a clu

hirlwell's answer would not arrive for some weeks, and if she went north, summer would come before she could start. In th