CHAPTER XXIX
THE EXIT OF LANE
Early one evening, after Lane's capitulation, I sat in the hall atBonaventure waiting its owner's return. Lucille Haldane occupied thewindow-seat opposite me, embroidering with an assiduity which, whileslightly irritating, did not altogether displease me. Since the wagonaccident she had, in an indefinite manner, been less cordial, and I, onmy part, was conscious of an unwonted restraint in her presence. It isunnecessary to say that she made a pretty picture with the square ofstill sunlit prairie behind her, though her face was tantalizinglyhidden in shadow, and I could only admire the graceful pose of herfigure and the lissom play of the little white fingers across theembroidery. The girl must have been sensible of my furtive regards, forat last she laid down the sewing and looked up sharply.
"Is there nothing among all those papers worth your attention, or haveyou taken an interest in embroidery?" she asked, pointing to thelittered journals on the table. "Do you know that it is a littledisconcerting to be watched when at work?"
I was uneasily conscious that my forehead grew hot, but hoped the huethat wind and sun had set upon it would hide the fact. "Don't you thinkthe trespass was almost justifiable?" I said. "You are responsible forspoiling us; and unaccustomed prosperity must be commencing to make melazy. I was thinking."
"That is really interesting," said the girl. "Has sudden prosperity alsorendered you incapable of expressing your thoughts in speech?"
In this case, circumstances had certainly done so. I had been thinkinghow pretty and desirable the speaker looked; but the trouble was that,although silence cost me an effort, I could not tell her so. I hoped tosay as much, and more besides, some day; but this moment was notopportune. Lucille Haldane was mistress of Bonaventure, and I as yet astruggling man, who, thanks to her good nature and her father's businessskill, had barely escaped sinking into poverty. It would be time tospeak when my position was a little more secure. Meanwhile, in spite ofthe sternly repressed longing and uncertainty which daily grew morepainful, it was very pleasant to bask in the sunshine of her presence,and I dare not risk ending the privilege prematurely.
"I was thinking what a change has come over this part of the prairie," Isaid, framing but one portion of my thoughts into words. "Not long agoone saw nothing but anxious faces and gloomy looks, while now, I fancy,there is only one downcast man in all this vicinity, and he the one fromwhom your father and Boone have just parted. The change, consideringthat a single person is chiefly responsible, is almost magical; but,remembering a past rebuke, that hardly sounds very pretty, does it?"
Lucille Haldane laughed mischievously. "To one of the superior sex; butare you not forgetting that this season the heavens fought for you? Itcertainly might have been more neatly expressed. Do you know that theeducation you mentioned is not yet quite finished?"
"I know there is much you could teach me if you would," I said, with ahumility which was not assumed, choking down bolder words which hadalmost forced themselves into utterance; and perhaps the effort left itstrace on me, for Lucille turned her head towards the prairie.
"Here is Sergeant Mackay. I wonder what he wants," she said.
Mackay, dusty and damp with perspiration, was ushered in a few minuteslater, and for the first time I felt all the bitterness of jealousy as Isaw the friendly manner in which the girl greeted Cotton, who followedhim. There was nothing of the coquette in Lucille Haldane, and theknowledge of this added to the sting; but I did not think that even shewas always so unnecessarily gracious. Mackay, however, appeared intentand grim, and by no means in a humor for casual conversation.
"I'm wanting your father and fresh horses at once, Miss Haldane," hesaid. "Ye had a visit from Lane yesterday?"
"We certainly had. What do you want with him?" asked Lucille. And Mackaysmiled dryly when I added a similar question.
"Just his body, and your assistance as a loyal subject, Henry Ormesby.Ye were once good enough to say ye could not expect too much from thepolice; but it's long since your natural protectors had eyes on thethief who was robbing ye. Niven, when he wasn't quite sober, told alittle story, and there's another bit question of a debt agreementforgery. Ye will let us have the horses, Miss Haldane?"
Lucille bade them follow her, and I heard her giving orders to one ofthe hired men. Then she returned alone in haste to me. "You saw where myfather put the book Miss Redmond gave him?" she said.
"Yes," I answered, wondering. "He locked it inside that bureau and putthe keys into his pocket."
The girl wrenched at the handle, and I noticed by the creaking of thebureau how strong, in spite of her slenderness, she was. The lock wouldnot yield, and she turned imperiously to me. "Don't waste a moment, butsmash that drawer in!"
"It is a beautiful piece of maple, and why do you wish to destroy it?" Isaid, and, for she had a high spirit, fancied Lucille Haldane came nearstamping one little foot impatiently.
"Can you not do the first thing I ask you without asking questions?" shesaid.
There was nothing more to be said, and stooping for the poker, I whirledit around my head. One end of the bar doubled on itself, but the frontof the drawer crushed in, and when I had wrenched out the fragments,Lucille drew forth the book.
"I know what my father promised, and there is Miss Redmond to consider.She has suffered too much already," she said, tearing out whole pages inhot hurry. "Sergeant Mackay is much less foolish than I once heard youcall him, and I have no doubt suspects something of this. Can't you seethat he could force us to give the papers up? I am going to burn them."
"That at least you shall not do," I said, taking them from her with asmuch gentleness as possible, but by superior force, and then positivelyquailed before the anger and astonishment in the girl's face.
"You are still so afraid of Lane that you would risk bringing freshsorrow on that poor girl in order to protect yourself?" she said, withbiting scorn.
"No," I answered stolidly, without pausing for reflection. "I only wishto declare it was I who destroyed this evidence, if there is any troubleover the affair."
I tore the book to pieces and rammed the fragments deep among theburning logs as I spoke, and when this was accomplished I did not lookup until Lucille Haldane called me by name. Gentle as she could be, Ihad a wholesome respect for her wrath.
"I deserved it," she said, with a bewitching deepening of the crimson inher cheeks and a shining in her eyes. "You will forgive me. I had nottime to think."
Thereupon I longed for eloquence, or Boone's ready wit; but no neatspeech came to my relief, and while I racked my clouded brains the girlmust have guessed what was taking place, for merriment crept into hereyes. Then, just as an inspiration dawned on me, as usual, too late, ahurried tread drew nearer along the passage.
"It is Sergeant Mackay, and he must not come in here," said my companionwith a nervous laugh, as she glanced at the shattered bureau. "Is itquite impossible for you to hurry?" Then before I realized what washappening, she had placed one hand on my shoulder and positively hustledme out of the door. Hardly knowing what I did, I clutched at the littlefingers, and missed them, and the next moment I plunged violently intothe astonished sergeant.
"Mr. Ormesby is ready, and so are the horses. I hope your chase will besuccessful," a voice, which sounded a little uneven (though there was atrace of laughter in it) said, and the door swung to.
Mackay looked at me curiously; and when we had mounted, said: "I'masking no questions, but yon was surely a bit summary dismissal!"
"It's just as well you are not, because I am afraid I should not answerthem," I said, and Mackay frowned upon his subordinate when Cottonlaughed.
We had ridden a league before he vouchsafed any explanation. "I couldnot call in my other men in time, and as we may have to divide forces,demanded your assistance in virtue of the powers entrusted me," he saidformally. "We'll call first at Gordon's on the odd chance our man isthere, and pick up Adams, though Lane's away hot-foot for the rail bynow, I'm thinking. He had no' a bad nerv
e to cut it so fine."
"Did the confounded rascal know there was a warrant out?" I gasped,almost pulling my horse up in my indignation, as I remembered Boone'shint.
"We did not advertise the fact, but yon man knows everything, and I'mno' saying it's quite impossible," Mackay answered dryly. "But what ailsye that ye're drawing bridle, Harry Ormesby?"
I drove the spurs in the next second and shot clear a length ahead, and,though the Bonaventure horses were good, the others had hard work tocatch me during the next mile or two. If Lane suspected the issue of thewarrant, he had victimized us to the end, for he had tricked us intofurnishing him with not only the means of escape, but sufficient readymoney to start him upon a fresh career in another land. We met Boone andHaldane returning from Gordon's ranch, and while the former advised thesergeant that Lane must be well on his way to the station by this time,I drew Haldane aside and hurriedly related what had happened atBonaventure.
"Lane is a capable rascal, and will certainly catch the westbound train.There is little to be gained either by wiring the bank," he said. "Heinsisted on taking a large share in paper currency, and as the draftwas one I had by me, he would no doubt arrange for his friends to cashit before I could warn the drawer. Do you know the bureau you smashed incost me sixty dollars, Ormesby?"
I was endeavoring to express my contrition when Haldane laughed. "I amnot sure that you are the only person responsible for the destruction ofmy furniture."
Mackay had started before our conversation was finished, and it costBoone and me a long gallop to come up with him, while it was only bydint of hard riding that we eventually reached the station some hoursafter the departure of the train. Mackay first of all wired to thestations down the line, and then explained: "That's just a useless duty.Yon man is keen enough to know he might find the troopers waiting forhim. He'll leave the cars at the flag station where there's nobody todetain him, and, buying a horse at the first ranch, strike south for theborder. It would be desirable that we grip him before he reaches it."
Because various formalities must be gone through before a Canadianoffender is handed over by the Americans, this was clear enough, thoughI did not see how it was to be accomplished, until Mackay had exchangedhigh words with the station agent. A freight locomotive and an emptystock car rolled out of the siding, and we took our places therein, menand horses together.
"Sorry I haven't got a new bogie drawing-room for you, but it's gettingtime the police gave some other station a share of their business," saidthe exasperated railroad official. I also overheard him tell theengineer: "You have got to be back by daylight, and needn't beparticular about shaking them."
It was not the fault of the engineer if he did not shake the life out ofus. Canadian lines are neither metalled nor ballasted with muchsolidity; and with only one car to steady it the huge machine appearedto leap over each inequality of the track. There was also nipping frostin the air, the prairie glittered under the stars, and bitter draughtspulsed through the lurching car. It was not an easy matter to keep thehorses on their feet or to maintain our own balance, but the swish ofthe dust and the rattle of flung-up ballast brought some comfort as anindication of our speed.
"It's a steeplechase already," gasped Boone, holding on by a head-ropeas we roared across a bridge. "I looked at the gauge-glass, and theengineer can hardly have full steam up yet. We'll be lucky to escapewith whole limbs when he has."
The prediction was fully justified, for the bouncing, jolting, andhammering increased with the pace, and I made most of the journeyholding fast by a very cold rail as for my life, while half-seen throughthe rush of ballast I watched the prairie race past. When one could lookforward there was nothing visible but a field of dancing stars and asmear of white below, athwart which the blaze of the great headlampdrove onwards with the speed of a comet. All of us were thankful whenthe locomotive was pulled up before a lonely shed, and while we draggedthe horses out the man who drove it, grinning at his stoker, said: "Iguess there's no bonus for beating the record on this contract?"
"No," said Mackay dryly. "Ye have the satisfaction of knowing ye servedthe State."
By good fortune we found a sleepy man in the galvanized iron shed, andhe informed us that Lane had alighted from the last train and started onfoot towards the nearest ranch, which lay about a league away. Inside offifteen minutes we were pounding on its door, and the startled ownersaid that the man we asked for had bought a good horse from him, andinquired the shortest route to the American frontier.
"Four hours' start," said Mackay, as we proceeded again. "Ye can addanother three for the making of inquiries and searching for his trail.It will be a close race, I'm thinking."
It certainly proved so, as well as a long one, because we lost much timehalting at lonely ranches, and still more in riding in wrong directions;for Lane had evidently picked up somebody, perhaps a contrabandist,well versed in the art of laying a false trail. Neither did he strikestraight for the border, and after dividing and joining forces severaltimes, it was late one evening when we found ourselves close behind him.
"Oh, yes! A man like that paid me forty dollars to swap horses with himand his partner, it might be an hour ago," said the last rancher atwhose dwelling we stopped. "Seemed in a mighty hurry to reach Montana.How long might it take you to reach the frontier? Well, that's aquestion of horses, and I've no more in my corral. You ought to getthere by daylight, or a little earlier. Follow the wheel trail andyou'll see a boundary stake on the edge of the big _coulee_ to the leftof it."
Though we had twice changed horses, our beasts were jaded; but there wassolace in the thought that Lane was an indifferent rider, and must havealmost reached the limits of his endurance, while, though used to thesaddle, I was too tired to retain more than a blurred impression of thatlast night's ride. There was no moon, but the blue heavens were thickwith twinkling stars, and the prairie glittered faintly under the whitehoar frost. It swelled into steeper rises than those we were used to,while at times we blundered down the crumbling sides of deep hollows,destitute of verdure, in which the bare earth rang metallically beneaththe hoofs. Still, the wheel trail led straight towards the south, and,aching all over, we pushed on, as best we could, until I grew too drowsyeven to notice my horse's stumbles or to speculate what the end wouldbe. Before that happened, however, I had considered the question anddecided that there was no need for any scruples in seizing Lane if thechance fell to me. We had merely promised to refrain from pressing oneparticular charge against the fugitive, and were willing to keep ourbargain, though he on his part had deceived us into making it.
At last, when only conscious of the cruel jolting and the thud of tiredhoofs which rose and fell in a drowsy cadence through the silence,Mackay's voice roused me, and I fancied I made out two mounted figuresfaintly projected against the sky ahead. "Yon's them, and ye'll each doyour best. We're distressfully close on the frontier now," he said.
Once more the spurs sank into the jaded beast, and when it responded Ibecame suddenly wide awake. It was bitterly cold and that hour in themorning when man's vitality sinks to its lowest ebb; but one and allbraced themselves for the final effort. Boone, in spite of all that Icould do, drew out ahead, and we followed as best we might, blunderingdown into gullies and over rises where the grass grew harsh and high,while thrice we lost the man who led us as well as the fugitives.Nevertheless, they hove into sight again before a league had passed, andit even seemed that we gained a little on the one who lagged behind,until, at last, the blue of the heavens faded, and grayness gathered inthe east.
It spread over half the horizon; the two figures before us grew moredistinct; and Boone rode almost midway between ourselves and them, when,as though by magic, the first one disappeared. Mackay roared to Cottonwhen, topping a rise, there opened before us a winding hollow, andBoone, wheeling his horse, waved an arm warningly.
"It's the wrong man doubling. Come on your hardest until the trailforks, and then try left and right!" he shouted before he, too, sankfrom view bene
ath the edge of the hollow.
There were birches in the ravine as well as willow groves, and thefugitives had vanished among them, leaving no trace behind. There were,unfortunately, also several trails, and, because time was precious, thenoise we made pressing up and down them would have prevented our hearingany sound. Mackay, who in spite of this, sat still listening, used alittle illicit language, and rated Cotton for no particular cause, whileI had managed to entangle myself in a thicket, when Boone's voice fellsharply from the opposite rise: "Gone away! He has taken to the open!"
With many a stumble we compassed the steep ascent, and, as we gainedthe summit, the growing light showed me a solitary figure alreadydiminishing down a stretch of level prairie. "It's our last chance!"roared Mackay, pointing to what looked like a break in the grassesahead. "I'm fearing yon's the boundary."
Our beasts were worn out, their riders equally so; but we called up thelast of our failing strength to make a creditable finish of the race.The _coulee_ was left behind us, and Lane's figure grew larger ahead,for Mackay, who certainly did not wish to, declared he could see noboundary post. Then as the first crimson flushed the horizon, a lonelyhomestead rose out of the grass, and when Lane rode straight for it thesergeant swore in breathless gasps. A little smoke curled from itschimney, for the poorer ranchers rise betimes in that country. We sawLane drop from the saddle and disappear within the door, while when wedrew bridle before it, two gaunt brown-faced men came out and regardedus stolidly.
"What place is this?" asked Mackay with a gasp.
One of them seemed to consider before he answered him: "Well, it'sgenerally allowed to be Todhunter's Wells."
"That's not what I want," said the sergeant. "Where's the boundary?"This time the other man laughed as he pointed backwards across theprairie we had traversed.
"'Bout a league behind you. No, sir; you're not in Canada. This, as thesong says, is 'the land of the free.' You'll find the big stake by the_coulee_, if you don't believe me."
"Beaten!" said Mackay, dropping his bridle; and added aside: "Whiskysmugglers by their manners, I'm thinking." As we endeavored to masterour disappointment, Lane himself appeared in the doorway. He looked veryweary, his fleshy face was haggard and mottled by streaks of gray; butthe humorous gleam I hated shone mockingly in his eyes.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Sergeant, but you can't complain about thechase!" he said. "Even Cannuck policemen and amateur detectives aren'trecognized here; and as there are two respectable witnesses, I'm afraidyou'll have to apply to the Washington authorities. You can tell Mr.Haldane, Ormesby, that there's no use in stopping his check. I don'tthink there is anything else I need say, except that, as I have bookedall the accommodation here, they might give you breakfast at the ranchin the _coulee_."
He actually nodded to us, and thrusting his hands into his pockets,leaned against the lintel of the door with an air of amusement which wasnot needed to remind us that he was master of the situation, and for thelast time set my blood on fire. There was, however, nothing to be gainedby virulence, and when Mackay, who disdained to answer a word, wheeledhis jaded horse, we silently followed him towards the _coulee_.
"I wish the Americans joy of him," the grizzled sergeant said, atlength. "There's just one bit consolation--we can very well spare him;and ye'll mind what the douce provost said in the song--'Just e'en lethim be; the toon is weel quit o' that deil o' Dundee.'"
Boone, smiling curiously, closed with the speaker. "There is one thing Iexpected he did not do, and as it could hardly be due to magnanimity, hemust have forgotten it," he said. "You will not go back empty-handed,Sergeant. Are you aware that you hold a warrant for me?"
Mackay pulled his horse up and stared at him. "I cannot see the point ofyon joke," he said.
"There isn't one," was the answer. "Now that my work is finished, I seeno further need of hiding the fact that, while you knew me as Adams, myname is--Boone."
Mackay still stared at him, then laughed a little, as it were inadmiration, but silently. "I'm understanding a good deal now--and thatwas why ye helped run yon thief down. Well, I'll take your parole, andI'm thinking ye will have little trouble since the prosecutor's gone."
CHAPTER XXX
THE LAST TOAST
Lane troubled us no further, and there came a time when those who hadsuffered under him, and at last assisted in his overthrow, would laughboisterously at my narrative of his hasty exit from the prairie with thetroopers hard upon his heels. They appeared to consider the descriptionof how, with characteristic audacity, he bade us an ironical farewellone cold morning from the doorway of a lonely ranch an appropriatefinale, and bantered the sergeant upon his tardiness. The latter wouldanswer them dryly that the Dominion was well quit of Lane.
Some time, however, passed before this came about, and meanwhile winterclosed in on the prairie. It was, save for one uncertainty which greatlytroubled me, a tranquil winter--for I had, in addition to promisingschemes for the future, a balance in the bank--but not whollyuneventful. Before the first snow had fallen, men with theodolites andcompasses invaded Crane Valley, and left inscribed posts behind themwhen they passed. This was evidently a preliminary survey; but it showedthe railroad was coming at last, although, as the men could tell usnothing, there remained the somewhat important question whether it wouldfollow that or an alternative route.
Also, a month or two later, Thorn and Steel sought speech with me, theformer looking almost uncomfortable when his companion said: "I've beentalking with Haldane about taking up my old place, and don't see how toraise the money, or feel very keen over it. We never did much good theresince my father went under. The fact is, we two pull well together, andyou have the longest head. Won't you run both places and make me a kindof foreman with a partner's interest?"
The suggestion suited me in many ways, but bearing in mind what might bepossible, I saw a difficulty. "I dare say we might make a workablearrangement, and I couldn't find a better partner; but haven't youSally's interests to consider?" I said.
Steel smiled in an oracular fashion. "That's Tom's business," he said,with a gesture, which, though I think it was involuntary, suggested thathe felt relieved of a load. "Sally is a daisy, and I've done my best forher; but though there's nobody got more good points, I don't mindallowing she was a blame big handful now and then. Of course, we are allfriends here!"
"We won't be if you start in apologizing for Sally," broke in thestalwart Thorn; and as I glanced at his reddened face, a light dawned onme.
"That's all right!" said the smiling brother. "There's no use in wastingwords on him. He has had fair warning, and I'm not to blame."
It struck me that the best thing I could do was to shake hands with thewrathful foreman, and I did it very heartily.
"He will think differently some day, and you will have a good wife,Tom," I said. "We'll miss you both badly at Crane Valley, but must tryto give you a good start off when you take up your preempted land."
It must be recorded that henceforward Sally was a model of virtue, somuch so that I marveled, while at times her brother appeared to find ithard to conceal his astonishment. She was more subdued in manner andgentle in speech, while I could now understand the soft light whichfilled her eyes when they rested upon my foreman. The former spirit,however, still lurked within her, for returning to the house one eveningwhen spring had come around again, I saw Cotton, who had once been afavorite of hers, leap out of the door with a brush whirling through theair close behind him.
"What is the meaning of this, Cotton?" I asked sharply, and thecorporal, who looked slightly sheepish, glanced over his shoulder asthough expecting another missile.
"The truth is that I don't quite know," he said. "Perhaps Miss Steel issuffering from a bad toothache or something of the kind to-day."
"That does not satisfy me," I said, as severely as I could, hoping hewould not discover it was mischief which prompted me. "I presume myhousekeeper did not eject you without some reason?"
"Why don't you ask her, then?" sai
d Cotton awkwardly. "Still, I supposean explanation is due to you if you insist on it. I went in to talk toSally while I waited for you, and said something--perfectly innocent, Iassure you, about---- Well--confound it--if I did say I'd beenheartbroken ever since I saw her last, was that any reason why sheshould hurl a brush at me? She used to appreciate that kind of foolery."
"Circumstances alter cases," I said dryly. "Don't you know that Sallywill leave here as Mrs. Thorn in a few weeks or so?"
"On my word of honor, I didn't," and Cotton laughed boyishly. "Go in andmake my peace with her, if you can. I am positively frightened to. SayI'm deeply contrite and--confoundedly hungry."
Supper was just ready, but there were only four plates on the table, andwhen I ventured to mention that Cotton waited repentant and famishingwithout, Sally regarded me stonily. "He can just stay there and starve,"she said.
Even Thorn, who, I think, knew Sally's weak points and how they werecounterbalanced by the warm-heartedness which would have covered muchworse sins, laughed; but the lady remained implacable, and, as a resultof it, Cotton hungry without, until--when the meal was almostfinished--Dixon, who was accompanied by Sergeant Mackay, astonished usby alighting at the door. He brought startling news.
The first carloads of rails and ties for the new road were ready fordispatching, and it would pass close by my possessions; while, after wehad recovered from our excitement, he said: "I have been searching fora Corporal Cotton, and heard he might be here. Do you know where heis?"
I looked at Sally, who answered for me frigidly: "You might find himtrying to keep warm in the stable."
Dixon appeared astonished, and Mackay's eyes twinkled, while after someconsideration the autocrat at the head of the table said: "If it'simportant business, Charlie may tell him that he may come in."
Cotton seemed glad to obey the summons, and knowing that he had ridden along way since his last meal, I signaled Dixon to wait, when Sally,relenting, set a double portion before him. It was, therefore, some timelater when the lawyer, glancing in his direction, said: "You are CharlesSinglehurst Cotton, born at Halton Edge in the county of Warwick,England?"
The effect was electrical. Cotton thrust back his plate and straightenedhimself, staring fixedly at the speaker with wrath in his gaze. "I amCorporal C. Cotton of the Northwest Police, and whether I was born inEngland or Canada concerns only myself."
Dixon smiled indulgently, and Mackay, looking towards me, nodded hishead with a complacent air of one who has witnessed the fulfilment ofhis prophecy.
"If I had any doubts before, after inspecting a photograph of you, Ihave none at present," the former said. "Mr. Ormesby forgot to mentionthat I am a lawyer by profession, and Messrs. James, Tillotson & James,of London, whose name you doubtless know, requested me through acorrespondent to search for you. Having business with Mr. Haldane, Icame in person. Have you any objection to according me a privateinterview?"
Cotton looked at me interrogatively, and I nodded. "You can safely trusteven family secrets to Mr. Dixon. He is, or will be, one of the foremostlawyers in the Dominion."
Dixon made me a little semi-ironical bow, and when he and Cotton passedout together into my own particular sanctum, a lean-to shed, Mackaybeamed upon me. "Man, did I not tell ye?" he said.
It was some time before Cotton came back, looking grave and yet elated,and turning towards us, said: "Mr. Dixon has brought me unexpected news,both good and bad. It is necessary that I should accompany him toWinnipeg. Sergeant, you have the power to grant me a week's leave ofabsence?"
Mackay pursed his lips up, and, with overdone gravity, shook his head."I'm fearing we cannot spare ye with the new mounts to train."
Dixon chuckled softly. "I'm afraid Charles Singlehurst Cotton will breakno more police horses for you. He has a good many of another kind of hisown," he said. "He has also influential relatives who require hispresence in England shortly, and have arranged things so that your chiefauthorities will probably release him before his term of service iscompleted. The signature to this note should remove any scruples you mayhave about granting him leave."
Mackay drew himself up, and returned the letter with the air of oneacknowledging a commander's orders, then let his hand drop heavily onCotton's shoulder. His tone was slightly sardonic, but there was a verykindly look in his eyes as he said: "Ye'll no' be above accepting thecongratulations of the hard old sergeant who licked ye into shape. Itwas no' that easy, and maybe it galled ye some; but ye have learned afew useful things while ye rode with the Northwest troopers ye neverwould have done in England. We took ye, a raw liddie, some bit overproudof himself, and now I'm thinking we'll miss ye when we send ye back themakings of a man. Away ye go with Mr. Dixon so long as it's necessary."
It struck me as a graceful thought, for Cotton stood straight, as onparade, with the salute to a superior, as he said: "I'll report for dutyin seven days, sir," then laid his brown hand in Mackay's wrinkled palm."Every word's just as true as gospel, and I'll thank you in years tocome."
He took my arm and drew me out upon the starlit prairie. "I can't sleepto-night, and my horse is lame. You will lend me one," he said. Thenwhen I asked whether he was not going with Dixon to the station, helaughed, and flung back his head.
"I'm going to spend all night in the saddle. It will be best for me," hesaid. "I'll tell you the whole story later, and, meantime, may say thatover the sea, yonder, somebody is dead. I know what usually sends suchmen as I out here, but while I should like you to remember that Ineither broke any law of the old country nor injured any woman, Iwouldn't see which side my bread was buttered--and there are variousways of playing the fool."
"We have Mackay's assurance that the Colonial cure has proved a success,and in all seriousness you have my best wishes for the future," I said.
The corporal answered gravely: "If it had not I should never venture tovisit Bonaventure to-morrow, as I intend doing."
"Visit Bonaventure?" I said, a little thickly.
"Of course!" said Cotton, with both exultation and surprise in his tone."Can't you see the best this news may have made possible to me?"
I was thankful that the kindly darkness hid my face, and turned towardsthe stables without a word; while, after the corporal had mounted, Ifound it very hard to answer him when he said simply, yet with a greatair of friendship: "Although you were irritating sometimes, Ormesby, youwere the first man I ever spoke frankly to in this country. Won't youwish me luck?"
"If she will have you, there is no good thing I would not wish for youboth," I said; but in spite of my efforts my voice rang hollow, and Iwas thankful when Cotton, who did not seem to notice it, rode away.
I did not return to the house until long after the drumming of hoofs,growing fainter and fainter, had finally died away, and said littlethen. I even flung the journals Dixon brought, which were full of thenew railroad, unread, away. My rival was young and handsome, generous,and likable, even in his weaknesses. He was also, as it now appeared, ofgood estate and birth, and granting all that I could on my own side, theodds seemed heavily in favor of Cotton, while a certain knowledge of theworst would almost have been preferable to the harrowing uncertainty asto how the Mistress of Bonaventure would make the comparison. It lastedfor two whole weeks--weeks which I never forgot; for I could not visitBonaventure until I learned whether Cotton's errand had resultedsuccessfully, and he sent no word to lessen the anxiety.
At last I rode in to the settlement, whither I knew Haldane had gone toinspect the progress of the road, and met Boone and Mackay on theprairie. "Has Cotton returned?" I asked.
"He has," said Mackay dryly. "This is his last day's duty. He loiteredat the settlement, and ye will meet him presently. I'm not understandingwhat is wrong with him, but he's uncertain in the temper, and I'mthinking that sudden good fortune does not agree with him."
I met Cotton, riding very slowly and looking straight ahead. He pulledup when I greeted him, and seeing the question in my eyes, ruefullyshook his head. "I've had my answer, Ormesby--
given with a gentlenessthat made it worse," he said.
He must have misunderstood my expression, and perhaps my face was astudy just then, for he added grimly: "It is perfectly true, and reallynot surprising. Hopeless from the first--and, I think, there is someoneelse, though heaven knows where in the whole Dominion she would find anyman fit to brush the dust from her little shoes, including myself. Well,there is no use repining, and I'll have years in which to get over it;but it's lucky I'm leaving this country, and--for one can't shirk apainful duty--I'll say good-by to you with the others at Bonaventureto-morrow."
I was glad that he immediately rode on, for while I pitied him, my heartleaped within me. Had it happened otherwise I should have tried to wishhim well, and now my satisfaction, which was, nevertheless, strongerthan all such considerations, appeared ungenerous.
When I reached it the usually sleepy settlement presented a stirringscene. Long strings of flat cars cumbered the trebled sidetrack, rows ofhuts had risen as by magic, and two big locomotives moved ceaselessly toand fro. Dozens of oxen and horse teams hauled the great iron scoopswhich tore the sod up to form the roadbed, while the air vibrated withthe thud of shovels, the ringing of hammers, and the clang of fallingrails. The track lengthened yard by yard as I stood and watched. Inanother week or two the swarming toilers would have moved their mushroomtown further on towards Crane Valley, and I was almost oppressed by asense of what all this tremendous activity promised me. It meant atleast prosperity instead of penury, the realizing of ambitions, perhapsa road to actual affluence; also it might be far more than this. Iscarcely saw Haldane until he grasped my hand.
"It is a great day, Ormesby," he said. "No man can tell exactly how farthis narrow steel road may carry all of you. Still, one might almost saythat you have deserved it--and it has come at last."
"It will either be the brightest day in all my life--or the worst," Isaid. "Will you listen to me for two minutes, sir?"
Haldane did so, and then leaned against a flat car, with the wrinklesdeepening on his forehead, for what appeared to be an inordinately longtime. "I may tell you frankly that I had not anticipated this--and amnot sure I should not have tried to prevent it if I had," he said. "Iknow nothing that does not testify in your favor as an individual,Ormesby; but, as even you admit, there are objections from one point ofview. Still, this road and our new schemes may do much for you and----Well, I never refused my daughter anything, and if she approves of you,and you will not separate us altogether, I won't say no."
I had expected nothing better, and dreaded a great deal worse; and mypulses throbbed furiously when, after some further speech, Haldanestrolled away with a half-wistful, half-regretful glance at his daughterwho approached us as we spoke. She was in high spirits, and greeted mecordially.
"You ought to be happy, and you look serious. This is surely the bestyou could have hoped for," she said.
It seemed best to end the uncertainty at once, and yet, rememberingCotton's fate, I was afraid. Nevertheless, mustering courage, I lookedstraight at the speaker, and slowly shook my head. Lucille was alwaysshrewd, and I think she understood, for her lips quivered a little, andthe smile died out of her eyes.
"You are difficult to satisfy. Is it not enough?" she said.
Her voice had in it no trace of either encouragement or disdain, and aboldness I had scarcely hoped for came upon me as I answered: "In itselfit is worth nothing to me. What you said is true, for I have set myhopes very high. There is only one prize in the Dominion that wouldsatisfy me, and that is--you."
Lucille moved a little away from me, and I could not see her face, forshe looked back towards the train of cars which came clanking down thetrack; but for once words were given me, and when I ceased, she lookedup again. Though the rich damask had deepened in her cheek, there was asignificant question in her eyes.
"Are you sure you are not mistaken, Rancher Ormesby? Men do not alwaysknow their own minds," she said.
The underlying question demanded an answer, and I do not know how Ifurnished it, for I had already found it bewildering when asked bymyself; but with deep humility I framed disjoined words, and gatheredhope once more when I read what might have been a faint trace ofmischief, and something more, in my companion's eyes.
"It is not very convincing--but what could you say? And you are, afterall, not very wise," she said. "I wonder if I might tell you that I knewpart of this long ago; but the rest I did not know until the eveningthe team bolted in the hollow. Still," and Lucille grew grave again,"would it hurt you very much if I said I could not listen because Ifeared you were only dreaming this time, too?"
"It would drive me out of Canada a broken-hearted man," I said. "It wasyou for whom I strove, always you--even when I did not know it--sincethe first day I saw you. I would fling away all I own to-morrow,and----"
The words broke off suddenly, for Lucille looked up at me, shyly thistime, and from under half-lowered lashes. "I think," she said veryslowly, and with a pause, during which I did not breathe, "that would bea pity, Harry Ormesby."
It was sufficient. All that the world could give seemed comprised withinthe brief sentence; and it was difficult to remember that we stood clearin the eyes of the swarming toilers upon the level prairie. Neither do Iremember what either of us next said, for there was a glamour upon me;but as we turned back towards Haldane, side by side, I hazarded a query,and Lucille smiled. "You ask too many questions--are you not yetcontent? Still, since you ask, I think I did not understand arighteither until a little while ago."
Haldane appeared satisfied, though, perhaps, that is not the mostappropriate word, for he himself supplied a better one; and when we werenext alone, and I ventured thanks and protestations, laughed, in thewhimsical fashion he sometimes adopted, I think, to hide his inwardsentiments.
"You need not look so contrite, for I suppose you could not help it; andI am resigned," he said. "There. We will take all the rest for granted,and you must wait another year." Then, although Haldane smiled again, helaid his hand on my shoulder in a very kindly fashion as he added;"Lucille might, like her sister, have shone in London and Paris; but itseems she prefers the prairie--and, after all, I do not know that shehas not chosen well."
The story of my failures, mistakes, and struggles ended then and there,for henceforward, even when passing troubles rested upon us, I couldturn for counsel and comfort to a helpmate whose wisdom and sympathywere equalled only by her courage. Nevertheless, two incidents linger inmy memory, and were connected with the last meeting of what had nowceased to be a prairie tribunal at Bonaventure. It was an occasion offestivity, but regret was mingled with it, for Boone and Cotton wouldleave us that night, and there was not one of the bronzed men gatheredin the great hall at Bonaventure who would not miss them. Boone, it maybe mentioned, had, after entering into recognizances to appear ifwanted, been finally released from them by the police. At length Haldanestood up at the head of the long table.
"This has been a day to remember, and, I think, what we have decidedto-night will set its mark upon the future of the prairie," he said."Where all did well there were two who chiefly helped us to win what wehave done, and it is to our sorrow that one goes back to his own countrynow that his work is well accomplished. We will not lightly forget him.The other will, I hope, be spared to stay with you and share yourtriumphs as he has done your adversity. I have to announce my daughter'sapproaching marriage to your comrade, Henry Ormesby."
It pleased me greatly that Cotton was the first upon his feet, andMackay the next, although it was but for a second, because, almostsimultaneously, a double row of weather-darkened men heaved themselvesupright. Cotton's face was flushed, and his eyes shone strangely underthe candlelight; but he looked straight at me as he solemnly raised theglass in his hand.
"The Mistress of Bonaventure: God bless her, and send every happiness toboth of them!" he said.
The very rafters rang to the shout that followed, and it was the lasttime that toast was honored, for when next my neighbors gathered rou
ndme with goodwill and festivity, Lucille Haldane became mistress of thenew homestead which had replaced the sod-house at Crane Valley, insteadof Bonaventure.
It was an hour later when she stood beside me, under the moonlight,speeding the last of the guests. Boone halted before us, bareheaded, amoment, with a curiously wistful look which was yet not envious, and hishand on the bridle. "It was a good fight, but I shall never again havesuch an ally as Miss Haldane," he said.
He had barely mounted, when Cotton came up, and I felt my companion'sfingers tremble as, I think, from a very kindly impulse, she slippedthem from my arm. Cotton, however, was master of himself, and gravelyshook hands with both of us. "It was not an empty speech, Ormesby. Imeant every word of it. Heaven send you both all happiness," he said.
He, too, vanished into the dimness with a dying beat of hoofs, and soout of our life; and we two were left alone, hand in hand, with only thefuture before us, on the moonlit prairie.
THE END
Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors present in theoriginal text have been corrected.
In Chapter II, "the brand of serviture" was changed to "the brand ofservitude".
In Chapter III, "a composure which astonished be" was changed to "acomposure which astonished me", and "he was bent in discharging hisduty" was changed to "he was bent on discharging his duty".
In Chapter VII, "Becaues he'd gone" was changed to "Because he'd gone",and a mismatched quotation mark was corrected after "Still, you mighthave been a little more civil, Sally."
In Chapter VIII, "it occured to me that Lucille Haldane" was changed to"it occurred to me that Lucille Haldane".
In Chapter IX, "every available dollar for the approaching stuggle" waschanged to "every available dollar for the approaching struggle".
In Chapter X, a mismatched quotation mark was corrected before"'Twoinette's so--so blamed systematic".
In Chapter XI, "while I draged at the halliards" was changed to "while Idragged at the halliards", "life your hands at once" was changed to"lift your hands at once", "several dark figures on the varanda" waschanged to "several dark figures on the veranda", and "the shock of herkneel upon the bottom" was changed to "the shock of her keel upon thebottom".
In Chapter XII, "you have won lands down" was changed to "you have wonhands down".
In Chapter XV, "a little worse than he rest" was changed to "a littleworse than the rest".
In Chapter XVI, "the time for open resistance had come a last" waschanged to "the time for open resistance had come at last", a missingperiod was added after "who watched our efforts with much approval", and"the memory of former wongs" was changed to "the memory of formerwrongs".
In Chapter XVII, "snatching here hand away" was changed to "snatchingher hand away".
In Chapter XXII, "panting of mammonth engines" was changed to "pantingof mammoth engines".
In Chapter XXIII, "feed and cloth me" was changed to "feed and clotheme", a missing period was added after "her eyes were filled with light",and "igoring Dixon's advice" was changed to "ignoring Dixon's advice".
In Chapter XXIV, "I picketed the documents" was changed to "I pocketedthe documents", and "too a big morsel" was changed to "too big amorsel".
In Chapter XXVII, "was I was uneasily conscious" was changed to "was, Iwas uneasily conscious".
In Chapter XXVIII, "a promising crop of them an hand" was changed to "apromising crop of them on hand", and "unobstrusively endeavored to sell"was changed to "unobtrusively endeavored to sell".
In Chapter XXIX, a period was changed to a question mark after "it is alittle disconcerting to be watched when at work", "the sped of a comet"was changed to "the speed of a comet", and "shone mockingly in his ayes"was changed to "shone mockingly in his eyes".
Several words (such as bull-frog and candle-light) were hyphenatedinconsistently in the original text.
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