f the life she had marked out for herself. Then,
the primitive woman in her had abandoned herself to the glowing fires
burning deep within her young heart.

Thus the bond held them both through delicious days, which so little
time before had seemed impossible to either. Thus the time drew on
toward the golden day of consummation. And with each passing day
firmer and firmer, more and more irresistible, grew the ties under
which they were held.

As the local press had foreshadowed, the event of their marriage proved
of primary social importance. All Calthorpe speeded them upon their
life's journey, and the east-bound mail bore them away with the echo of
cheery farewells, and every other form of speeding, dying pleasantly
away behind them. So, too, the snake-like string of coaches bore the
burden of Destiny in the great uninteresting, padlocked baskets and
bags which contained the mail.

The days of the honeymoon had been carefully thought out by Elvine.
Her wishes had been supreme. Toronto was their first destination. A
city whose bright, pleasant life appealed to her more, perhaps, even
than any of the great cities of the greater world.

Perfect happiness was theirs from the moment of their departure
eastward. No cloud drifted in sight during their first day in the
great hotel from which they intended to view the life of Toronto. Then
came the second morning, and the--mail.

They occupied a suite of rooms upon the first floor of the hotel. It
overlooked the wide portico which supported a deep balcony devoted to
their sole use. Jeff was alone in the luxurious sitting-room when the
mail was brought in by a waiter. He was glancing down the morning
paper while he waited for Elvine, who was preparing for a morning round
of the stores.

His attention for the news he read was less than scant. It is doubtful
if he read more than the head-lines, and these only with partial
understanding. His mind was upon the beautiful woman in the adjacent
apartment arraying herself with all the arts of a woman in love for the
benefit of the man whose regard is alone worth while.

His eyes were smiling unconsciously; something of the keenness of his
whole expression had become lost under their new expression. Dressed
in the simple garb of civilization he had little about him, beyond the
intense sunburn of his face, to remind one of the urgent young ranchman
who had first planned the combination which was to develop into th