Part 1 (2/2)
The track for the first three miles was as bad as a track could be 'Duke Radford went first, to beat or pack the snow a little firs; but even then everyin clouds The dogs followed close behind, so close that she had often to shohip to keep them back, fro her down
It was five good long e, but the last two , over a fir tied it?” called out Katherine, as her father's pace on the well-packed snow quickened, while she flew after hi on behind He shouted back soreat pace Those last two miles were pure enjoyment all round, and when they drew up before the little brown house of the boatbuilder, Katherine was sparkling, glowing, and rosy, with a life and animation which she never showed indoors
Mrs M'Kree was a worn-looking little wo about her feet, and she welcoreat effusiveness
”Well, now, I h all this way on the very first fine day My word, eather we've been having!” she exclaiht that if we had s and pine-cone soup That fetched a long face on to hiht fond of his food he is, and a rare trencherman too”
”It is bad to run short of stores in keen weather like this,” said 'Duke Radford, ith the help of his daughter was bringing bags, barrels, and bundles of goods into the house fros rested with an air of enjoyhtful to behold
When the stores were all safely housed, Mrs M'Kree insisted on their drinking a cup of hot coffee before they returned; and just as she was lifting the coffee pot from the stove her husband came in He was tall, thin, and sombre of face, as enial manner, and that he was no tyrant could be seen fros
”Deardown on the nearest bench with a child on each knee ”I wish they were old enough to go to your school, Miss Radford, then I'd get some peace for part of the day at least”
”I wish they were old enough, too,” sighed Katherine ”It is really quite dreadful to think what a long tiot to wait before all the se to need school”
”By which ti to keep school at all,” said Mrs M'Kree with a laugh Then to her husband she said: ”Mr Radford brought some letters, Astor; perhaps you'll want to read theoes back”
”Ah! yes, I'd better perhaps, though there will be no hurry about the answers, I guess, for this will be the last ” He stood up as he spoke, sliding the babies on to the ground at his feet, for he could not read his letters with the s at his hands The others went on talking, to be interrupted a few minutes later by a surprised exclamation from the master of the house
”Noould you believe it! The Coht out!”
”What co-fleet owners, Barton and Skinner and that lot,” rejoined Astor M'Kree abstractedly, being again buried in his letter He was a boat-builder by trade, and this change in things ht make a considerable difference to hiht the company out?” deh for her already; she did not want it to becolishman named Oswald Selincourt,” replied Astor ”He is rich, too, and means to put money into the business He wants me to have four more boats ready by the ti himself next summer to see into matters a bit Now that looks hopeful”
Katherine chanced at that lance across at her father, and was startled by the look on his face; it was just as if so had made him desperately afraid But it was only for a ot his features into control, so she hastily averted her head lest he should see her looking, and think that she was trying to pry into what did not concern her He sed down the rest of his coffee at a gulp and rose to go But his ed and uneasy that Katherine limpse of that dreadful look on his face when Astor M'Kree announced the change in the ownershi+p of the fishi+ng fleet
The journey home was taken in a different style froether, and both pairs of snowshoes piled on the hind their places on the first, the dogs started off at a tearing gallop, which ave Katherine and her father plenty of occupation in holding on But when they reached the broken ground the pace grew steadier, and conversation becaan to talk then with almost feverish haste, but he carefully avoided any mention of the news contained in the boatbuilder's letter, and a sickening fear of so, she knew not what, crept into the heart of Katherine and spoiled for her the glory of that winter afternoon The sun went down in fla like a sickle of silver above the dark pine forest, and everywhere beloas the white purity of the fresh-fallen snow
Supper was nearly ready when they got back to Roaring Water Portage, but there were two or three customers in the store, and Katherine went to help her father with thes Oily Dave was one of the people gathered round the stove waiting to be served with flour and bacon, and it was his voice raised in eager talk which Katherine heard when she ca-roo, that Barton, Skinner, & Co are in liquidation, then things is going to look queer for so comes, and the question will be as to who can claiood”
”I suppose that you'll stick to your'n, seeing that it is by far the best in the fleet,” said another h
Katherine looked at her father in du hi been bought by the Englishoing on with his work, and looking as if he had nohis head at that lance, and, after a moment, said hastily: ”I wouldn't be in toothe boats if I were you”
”Why not?” chorused the listeners
”Barton & Skinner have been bought out, and the nenermade off with in that fashi+on,” 'Duke Radford replied
”Who's bought it? Who told you? Look here, ant to know,” one man burst out impatiently