Part 40 (1/2)

”It wasn't the message. I was bracing up before it came; you and your father made me feel that I needn't despair. In fact, I was getting ashamed of being downcast, after the confidence you seemed to have in me.”

Geraldine smiled at him.

”Ah!” she said. ”It must need a good deal of courage to lead a forlorn hope, and one could imagine that your undertaking looked like that. It must be much pleasanter to feel that you have some chance of winning.

But what will you do next?”

”Go home, I think. I want to see how I stand there.”

”For long?” Geraldine asked quietly.

”No; for a month or so. I shall be eager to get back.” Andrew paused and asked with a hint of tension in his voice: ”Will I be missed?”

”Of course!” Geraldine looked up with friendly candor. ”But will you be able to make the double journey and do all that's needful in a few weeks?”

Andrew felt gently rebuffed. Geraldine had a way of checking him when he tried to draw closer to her, and her unembarra.s.sed frankness was deterring.

”I'll try,” he said doggedly.

Frobisher came in then, and they chatted about various matters until Andrew took his leave. When he reached his hotel he wrote a letter home, announcing his return, and the next morning he had a long talk with Carnally, whom he empowered to act as his deputy while he was in England. Then he went to Graham's and found the Winnipeg surgeon leaving. His report was favorable: Graham's foot could be saved, though it would be some time before he recovered the use of it.

Andrew was shown into a room where his comrade lay on a couch.

”I've heard the news and I'm very glad,” he said. ”I was troubled about you.”

”You couldn't hide it.” Graham smiled at him. ”It wasn't your fault I got frost-bitten, anyway. But have you heard about the specimens?”

”Yes; the first report's encouraging. Of course, I haven't learned the full results yet.”

Graham's eyes glistened, and he moved into a comfortable pose with a look of deep content.

”That's good. Now I must try to get about again as soon as possible.”

”There's no hurry. As you know, you needn't go back to the mill until you're able. Then as Carnally and I know where the lode is, it isn't strictly necessary that you should come with us.”

”Isn't it! I've been thinking about that lode for twenty years, and do you suppose I could let another man locate it? Besides, we must stake three claims on the best frontage.”

”That would be better; but what about Mrs. Graham? Haven't you given her enough anxiety?”

Graham looked disturbed.

”I can't predict what line she'll take, but I venture to believe she'll let me go, knowing I'll be satisfied for good when I have finished my work.”

Andrew told him about his trip home and the arrangements he had made with Carnally, and left soon afterward. During the next week he came in daily and spent two evenings with the Frobishers, and then he left the Landing early one morning by the Montreal express.

The Atlantic pa.s.sage was short and uneventful, and late one afternoon he alighted from a local train at a wayside station among the English hills. Wannop and Hilda were waiting on the platform, and after the first greetings were over, the girl regarded her brother critically.

”Andrew,” she exclaimed, ”you haven't come back the same! How did you get those lines on your forehead?”

”Are there some?” Andrew asked with a smile. ”I suppose I was anxious now and then. Not knowing whether you'll get enough to eat makes one think.”