mber of
books upon which he had set his heart. He would have the long winter
evenings for reading in the little cabin he was to erect for his own
special use.

About the middle of the afternoon he decided to pay a visit to the
Haven. He wished to see David and Betty before going away, and learn
how they were making out. But the hope that he might see Lois was the
real reason why he decided to go. Several times he had thought of
visiting her at her own home. But as he had never been there and had
received no invitation, he did not feel inclined to go where perhaps he
was not wanted, and where his presence might be looked upon as an
intrusion. He often upbraided himself for thinking about her at all.
What hope had he that she would ever deign to look upon him with
favour? What had he to offer her? He was poor, and he had no
guarantee that his employment with this mysterious company would be
permanent. In a few months he might again be seeking for work.

But no matter what resolutions Jasper made he could not banish Lois
from his mind. It was she who several years before had unconsciously
inspired him to launch out into the world and make something of
himself. The thought of her had always urged him on when most
depressed and discouraged. In his darkest hours of gloom he had seen
her eyes filled with sympathy fixed upon him as on that day he had
first met her and had fled disgraced from her father's house.

Such impressions were not easy to banish in an instant, and so as he
knocked at the door of the haven he fervently hoped that Lois might be
there. But as he entered David's room other interests engaged his
attention. Hitherto all had been peace there. The old man was
generally seated by the open window listening to the voice of his
beloved falls. But now there was a distinct atmosphere of excitement.
Mrs. Bean was there, and her face had a most worried expression. Betty
had been crying, but seeing Jasper she brushed away her tears and
sprang to her feet.

"Oh, Mr. Jasper," she cried, "isn't it awful! Have you heard the news?"

"What news?" Jasper asked in surprise, as he took a chair by David's
side. "I haven't heard anything of special importance."

"It's about Mr. Sinclair, that's who it is. Just think, he wants to
take all of our logs!"

"Take your logs!"

"Yes, that's what he's going to do. Mother got a letter from him and
she has just read it to us. He says there is a mistake about t