Part 26 (2/2)
It was an abrupt change of subject, but the man answered as Vane had expected. The girl's wages might maintain her economically, but it was difficult to see how she could provide for her sick father. The latter seemed to guess Vane's thoughts, for he spoke again.
”If I'd known I was done for when I was up in the bush, I wouldn't have pushed on quite so fast,” he said with expressive simplicity.
Vane rose.
”If Drayton will come along with me, I'll send him back with a hundred dollars. It's part of the first payment. Your getting it now should make things a little easier for Celia.”
”But you haven't located the spruce yet!”
”I'm going to locate it, if the thing's anyway possible.” Vane shook hands with the man. ”I expect to get off up the straits very shortly.”
The prospector looked at him with relief and grat.i.tude in his eyes.
”You're white--and I guess you'd be mighty hard to beat!”
When they reached the rutted street, which was bordered on one side by great fir stumps, Drayton glanced at Vane with open admiration.
”I'm glad I brought you across. You have a way of getting hold of people--making them believe in you. Hartley hasn't a word in writing, but he knows you mean to act square with him. Kitty felt the same thing--it was why she came down in the sloop with you.”
Vane smiled, though there was a trace of embarra.s.sment in his manner.
”Now that you mention it, I don't think Hartley was wise; and you were equally confiding. We have only arrived at a rather indefinite understanding about your share.”
”We'll leave it at that. I haven't struck anybody else in this city who would hear about the thing. Anyway, I'd prefer a few shares in the concern, as mentioned, instead of money. If you get the thing on foot, I guess it will go.”
”Won't they raise trouble at the mill about your staying out?” Vane inquired. ”We have still to go for that hundred dollars.”
Drayton owned that it might be advisable to hurry, and they set off for the business quarter of the city.
During the remainder of the day Vane was busy on board the sloop, but in the evening he walked over to Horsfield's house with Mrs. Nairn and found Jessy and her brother at home. Horsfield presently took Vane to his smoking-room.
”About that smelter,” he began. ”Haven't you made up your mind yet? The thing's been hanging fire a long while.”
”Isn't it a matter for the board?” Vane asked suggestively. ”There are several directors.”
Horsfield laughed.
”We'll face the fact: they'll do what you decide on.”
Vane did not reply to this.
”Well,” he said, ”at present we couldn't keep a smelter big enough to be economical going, and I'm doubtful whether we would get much ore from the other properties you were talking about to Nairn.”
”Did he say it was my idea?”
”He didn't; I'd reasons for a.s.suming it. Those properties, however, are of no account.”
Horsfield made no comment but waited expectantly, and Vane went on:
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