Lorimer of the Northwest

ECK

im. So when he heard the story he drove us over to Clearwater, where an elevator had been built beside the track, only to find that the agent in charge of it had already a sufficient staff. He, however, informed us that the manager of a new creamery wanted a handy man to drive round collectin

rd to drive, but the way they can haul the light wagons or even the humble ground sleigh along league after league would surprise those not used to them. We spent one night with a Highland crofter in a dwelling that resembled a burrow, for most of it was underground, but the ramm

. I'll give any friend of yours a show if Jasper will vouch for him. Pay's no grea

have earned our passage by tending stock. If we could spare a dollar in those days we wanted it for our land. The old jauntiness had gone out of Fletcher. He looked worn and thinner, with, I fancied, signs of indulgence in alcohol

people understand that if a man's a dead failure over there we don't want him? Dare say he's honest, but he's got no sand. Let that fello

th him. Fletcher had not the appearance of a vicious or dishonest man

t time Minnie thanked us with tears in her eyes. Already she was recovering her good looks and spirits, but as Fletcher's pay would be scanty until spring the odd bags of potatoes and flour we brought them were evidently acceptable. We had received help freely when we needed it, and it seemed only fitting that now we should help others in turn; so we did what

, and since the affair with the cattle thieves Colonel Carrington had so far as in him lay been cordial. He sat beside the glowing birch logs, silent and stern of aspect as usual, with a big shaggy hound which I had seen roll over a coyote with a broken spine curled up against his knee, while the f

ed land near the Manor. One or two other of the Colonel's subjects also were present. Being lighted with shaded lamps that shed their soft radiance only where it was wanted, portions of the long room remained in shadow, so Grace and I, sitting near one window, could look out between the looped-back curtains across the prairie. High over the sweep of dimly glimmering snow hung a vau

of frozen prairie on foot, for presently we heard a knocking at the door, and after an altercation with somebody outside a stranger walked with uneven steps into the room. White crystals sprinkled his old English coat, a most inadequate protection against such weather, while his breath was frozen about the collar, and the fur cap

me he was here," he said, and clutched at the table, for, as of

oked in at the Tecumseh House, and the clerk mentioned that a wild man from the old country had

Harry had, for, drawing forward a chair, he said: "Feeling dizzy, are you not? Better sit

ierce answer. "I'm wanting Ralph Lorimer,

not search far. With your permission, Miss Carring

ed, and the other fumbled inside the breast of th

sely. "I'm Adam Lee of Stoney Clough. Where's my daugh

iss Carrington watched me in cold surprise, and Grace-well, I do not care to recall her face. Once afterward I saw her look the same, and was thankful that her scornful glance rested on an

place for-er-such explanations.

followed by the rest had already risen from he

heard the charge, and in fairness to Mr. Lorimer we should hear him refute it. It's either a cruel mist

ught of Harry's, an

of fairness he is perfectly right. Now, sir, for the space of

may find in many an English industrial town. They have left all regular creeds and parties behind, and look for the regeneration of an iniquitous 97 world by some fantastic new religion, or the

you that sit warm in luxury, pampering your sinful bodies and grinding the poor, you shall hear what one of your kind has do

Miss Carrington glanced past him toward the door, irresolute, and Grace leaned forward staring at him as though fascinated, while perhaps I of all the others found the sentiment familiar. It was the same spirit which, trammeled by poverty and ignorance, stir

nephew of a rich man cast desiring eyes upon her, and Satan helped him. He might well be strong and comely, for he fed on the finest, while when trade was bad half of us went cold and hungry in Stoney 98 Clough; but he was filled with the wiles of the devil and the lusts of the flesh, so when there w

and action, and with swift dexterity gripped his right arm from behind. Then, and we were never quite sure how it happened, though the weapon was evidently a cheap Belgian revolver, and perha

le who don't understand them, and you may be thankful th

t matter, but I have rather more power here than an English magistrate, and if you move again, by the Lord I'll send you in irons to Wi

ictions, but there were few who could withstand Colonel Carrington, and, half-dazed, 9

t hear. She married a former clerk there, one Thomas Fletcher, secretly, and at present lives with him at the Willow Lake creamery. I met her for the first time in Cana

at that meeting. If our visitor has any doubts on t

self, and strode toward me with fing

p to steal the honor of the poor; it is only women to whom thy kind tel

n duping him; but I pitied him in all sincerity, for whatever were his foibles it was evident that this broken-down wreck of humani

ish poor. On his friend's word as-well, in deference to your prejudices, we'll say an honest man-Mr. Lorimer

. No, I don't want the pistol. It was the devil tempted me to bring it,

rington, and though I am inclined to believe it was an accident, you can't ride twenty miles hungry at midnight. You came here without my invitat

fficer, but there was the same stubborn pride in both; for with a quaint dignity, which in som

l the smooth things in this life, though even they cannot escape the bitterness that is

and we heard t

. "At times I almost hope we will. An interesting character, sli

silver value changes in the East there is hunger among the operatives. In such places the mind of many a thinking man, worn keen as it were by poor living, sickened by foulne

bent head and shambling gait, grew small

Willow Lake on foot, even if he could find the way. He must have walked many m

him there on our homeward way. I am sorry that all this happened under your roof," I

ned to agre

ntiment, I dare not look at Grace with the shadow of such a charge hanging over me. Neither, I think,

d look like a convicted felon when we took the trouble to demonstrate your innocence. Confusion to Thoma

nt a much longer time than I liked in driving through the bitter cold before we found my late accuser sitting under a copse of willows, and apparently a

, lifting the unfortunate man, who already had almost lost th

d there from Elktail to-day, and I felt main drowsy. What bro

edn't trouble to tell me. Get into these furs here before you fr

idnight, with a hiss of runners and a jingle of bells, we came into sight of Fletcher's shanty by Willow Lake. As luck would have it a light still shone in the window, and he

ervene a woman's shape filled the lighted door, while Harry said sof

with him;" and between us we half carried Lee inside, for all the strength had gone out of him. The hot room reeled about me, and there was a drum

ead drooping forward limply, while for a moment or two afterward no one moved, and the ticking of a nickeled clock almost maddened me. Then the woman came

ought to remember him. We were mar

it; lass, thou hast acted cruelly, but we'll say no more of

ver him with one arm round his shoulder, but I fa

en different," she answered. "But I'm so glad to see you, and hungry for news.

elf with a cry, "she grieved sorely; but it was the typhoid, and to the last she would hear no ill of thee. The shop, I sold it; and maybe there's harness to mend, and saddles, that will earn my bre

, "You should thank Mr. Lorimer. Forty miles at least he has driven to-day, and there's another fifteen before him

y over him all night; but I hardly fancy she has quite forgiven him. It's not a nice thing, either, when you think of it. And I suppose it cost th

tables or even found Fairmead I do not remember; but we probably did it