ach. Her mood of impatience had passed. She was once more
herself, calm and strong, looking with steadfast eyes into the future,
knowing well that whatever the days might bring, He who for fifty years
had been her refuge and her strength would not fail her.

The appeal for the West was the theme of conversation at the Fairbanks
home, where the usual company had assembled. The Don was describing the
Superintendent's address at the College and thrilling his listeners
with his own enthusiasm, when Brown entered.

"Hello! At it again?" cried Brown. "If he doesn't avoid that fiery
cross fellow, The Don will be off for the West first thing you know."

"Tell us," cried Betty, "was he as great as all that? Mr. Balfour here
would have us believe that this Western man is really something
wonderful."

"Well, I don't know," said Brown. "You never think of whether he is
wonderful or not, but one thing I know, he makes you see things--the
mountains and that foot-hill country, the mining camps and all that
saloon and gambling-hell business, till you can smell the brimstone and
you want to be in it."

"What? Into the brimstone?" laughed Lloyd.

"I am rather incoherent, I confess. But that old chap suits me. If I
were a Theologue, and unattached, I'd be there."

"There's no doubt it is a great country, with vast opportunities," said
The Don, glancing at Betty.

"Yes," said Mrs. Fairbanks, frowning as she noted the glance, "and
doubtless any young man who has the necessary enterprise and courage
will make his fortune with the growth of that country."

"But why unattached? What do you mean by that?" enquired Betty.

"Unattached? Why, you know, just like me--a man with no family ties to
speak of. Did you tell them that yarn, Lloyd? Well, I'll tell you. You
know the Superintendent was telling the fellows of the difficulty he
had in securing men. Well, he managed to get a man from an Eastern
College whom he appointed to the Cariboo--right sort of chap, too,
apparently--accepted the appointment--everything was
arranged--happened, however, he was engaged to a young lady brought up
in the lap of luxury, and that sort of thing. When she heard of her
young man being appointed to this outlandish place, she promptly
collapsed into a faint, sister went into hysterics, mother into a blind
rage, result--young man resigned. 'So you see, gentlemen,' said the old
chap dryly, 'when you have to consider the tastes and temperament, not
only of t