The Maid of the Whispering Hills

gance is this! The savour of th

in one of McElroy's chairs and smiled across

t down in the midst of the table a steaming dish with a cover. There were a white cloth of bleached linen and cups of blue ware that had come with her and Jack from across seas, also a silver coffee-urn that had been he

us aroma, if I may so far forget politeness? 'Tis not beef, as

of a little fire until the very heart of the wood is in the meat. And now, M'sieu, fall to. I would I had something better than Rette's strong coffee in which to pledge you, bu

ay looked

h to learn, in fact, all to learn, s

did justice to the savoury viands, and at last leaned back in repletion, while Rette took off the plates and cu

of that world of which I am hungering for news. You a

rest I picked on starting into the wilderness. They are mostly Canadians of Scottish blood. I have a fancy that the strong blond peoples are best for the rigours

found the

may find my bones bleaching beside some portage where I have give

hi

hardship as this winning to the Saskatchewan? What save the love of excitement sent

yes were full of

,-and

urtenay that which told plainly that it would be followed to its end,

e appeared between the st

nor the earth below so serious a thing as that same office, and he served it with his whole heart. Therefore he could not quite und

od's Lake and the house there. What is the word of Anderson w

tory? God

d his pipe and look

know nothing of tho

d to you

wer to different names. Heard you aug

Sir Alfred," answered

which way have you journe

y, by canoe along the shores of Lake Superior, into Pigeon River, and so on u

e had risen in his place, his fa

ut did you not answer to me a

any, trading from Montreal into the fur country. I am sent of my uncle Elsworth McTavish, who is a shareholder and a most responsible man, to t

e that you are in the heart of the country belonging to th

t, then, that at midday of this day we met on the river one who told us of this post of De Sevie

y sharply. "Of what l

of tanned hides and wearing a red cap and a knife in his belt.

n Ridgar; "he has been these

t is done cannot be helped. We have met as friends,-the unfortunate fact that we find ourselves rivals,-that almost speaks the word 'foes,' I must inform you, M'sieu, si

s slender height, his hand at his hip, w

o. If I ay gather my men we will sleep outside an unfriendly fort,-and in

young cavalier, else he wou

te beneath his tan and hi

nies are rivals, then we are such, and I follow my master's lead. It is at pres

t which ever lay so near the surface and he lo

en to Ridgar, and strode toward the outer door. As he passed the lintel the not insignificant form of Rette blocked his exit, en route for a cup she had

ed, "and never to be forgot so long as one un

a girlhood that had its modicum of grace, flared up in th

of his blue coat Alfre

essly through his tousled lig

with a strange mixture of regret a

icture of Maren Le Moyne's brown arms spread wide apart with the laughing child b

time ago, and his slender hand played restlessly at his hip. His heart was seething with swift-roused emotions. So had its quick st

given only in the sp

the fire and talking with the men of the post, whe

the darkness, and presently from down the river some

and settled into the night with

n to witness the departure of the strangers

th the first flame of the sun above the eastern forest when Alfred

of the situation by a godspeed, to be met by the Frenchman high-heade

s for what we have received at your hands. Therefore accept with my compliments this small gi

r was turning more leisurely away with his uncovered curls shining in the first lev

hand, Maren Le Moyne was coming d

is blue eyes with every step of the approaching girl. Swiftly he glanced to right and left, as if in se

lower which nodded, frail and fragrant, from its precarious foothold

ne, to whose delicate nostrils the taking of chances was the breat

not risk its turning? For me,-I looked upon your face but now, and b

t he held forth t

wear it, I pray you, this day in the dusk of that br

g down into the astonished eyes of Maren Le Moyne,

owly, the sparkle in his eyes lit her own, the smile on his lips curled up the corners of her

d; "some kin we must surel

wrapped round and round with its heavy braids, and with fingers deft

and the green stem very fragile, but at last it was acco

she said demurely; "G

t himself, and when he gave it back the smile w

said gravely, "I shall co

winging easily to its weight, forgetful of the canoes, manned and waiting on the river's breast for their leader

dy, once more bowed, and as the little craft swept out to midstream, he shoo