at
flashed a small red light on Belding's desk. A moment later he glanced
keenly at his chief engineer.

"Belding, you have done railway work. What does a standard gauge road
cost in this country?"

"Where is the road to be built?" Belding displayed no surprise. The
time for that had long passed, and, he silently concluded, the
presidency of a railroad would suit Clark admirably.

"Up the Magwa River."

"And the maximum grades?"

"Suitable for freight haulage to this point. We run with the water,"
added Clark with one of his rare smiles, "you ought to know that."

"About thirty thousand a mile," answered Belding steadily, the trouble
being that when his chief's imagination took strong hold of him he was
apt to diverge from the point.

"Then you will send out survey parties and get detailed estimates when
the surveys are in."

"How far is the road to run? The head waters of the Magwa are one
hundred and fifty miles from its mouth."

Clark's lips tightened a little. "As far as the pulp wood is good. I
don't care how far that is--and, Belding--"

"Yes, sir."

"I have decided to double the size of the mill. Let me have plans and
estimates for that too."

Belding went on, his head swimming, and walked slowly toward the head
gates through which Lake Superior flowed obediently to do Clark's will.
It seemed now that his chief had reached the point where the god in the
machine must make some grievous error. He was insatiable. Presently
two figures approached. One was Judge Worden, the other a girl. The
former waved his stick.

"We're going to see Mr. Clark. Elsie, this is Mr. Belding."

The girl smiled and put out a slim hand. "I've heard all about
you--did you make all this?" Her brown eyes roved, taking in the great
sweep of rising structures.

"In a way, yes," he laughed, "that is I did what I was told."

"Mr. Belding is chief engineer," put in the judge assuringly.

She nodded. "You told me. I--I think it's rather wonderful. If
anything had to happen to the rapids, this is just right."

Belding made no immediate answer. He was studying the girl's face, her
supple figure, and the intelligence that marked every expression. It
struck him that she was meant to be some man's comrade.

"I'm glad you like it," he said a little awkwardly, "there's lots more
to come."

The judge touched Elsie's arm. "That's what I want to hear about at
the block house, and I hope you'll have supper wit