he proceeded. His grasp grew
tense. "See how I am trying to be calm? I will not loose my grip on
myself. Our doom was written for us by other hands, dear heart. When it
was summer I walked here with Rosemarie and play-mamma. Now it is autumn
and--"

"Play-mamma!" she gasped.

"Yes, a dear, good girl who worked hard in the mill and who was very
good to our Rosemarie; I was making poor shifts at buying a little
girl's clothes, and Zelie Dionne was wise in those matters and was busy
with her needle."

"I hope you been excuse me," broke in old Etienne. "I overheard the name
of Zelie Dionne, but I don't mean to listen. I have some good news for
you, M'sieu' Farr, what you don't hear because you ain't been on this
place for long time. And it is not good news for you, ma'm'selle, for
now you can't get acquaint with very nice Canadian girl. The big beau
Jean have come down here from Tadousac and now he own nice farm and they
will get marry and be very happy up in the habitant country."

"Thank God, there's some happiness in this world," said Farr. "She is a
good girl."

There was almost joy on Kate Kilgour's face when she looked up at Farr.

Her god had been restored to his pedestal.

"Farewell," he said at the little gate through which she had stepped
into the street.

"No," she cried as she turned and hurried away; "I'll not say it--not
now!" And he wondered because there was joy in her tones.

XXXI

THE MASK OF CYNICISM

Old Etienne came to the gate with his lantern; the big turbines were
stilling their rumble and growl in the deep pits and his day's work was
ended.

"P'r'aps you may walk to Mother Maillet's with me and say the good word
to Jean from Tadousac and to Zelie Dionne, who is now so very glad,"
suggested the old man, humbly. "The good priest he marry them very soon
and they will go home."

"Yes, I will go, Etienne. I can say good-by there to you and to Miss
Dionne."

"So you go visit some place, eh, after your hard work? That will be very
good for you, M'sieu' Farr. You shall come back much rest up and then
you will show the poor folks how you will help them some more."

"I shall not come back--I am going away to stay."

"But you promise under the big light at the _hotel de ville_--I hear you
promise that you will stay," protested the old man.

"My work is finished."

"That is not so, M'sieu' Farr. For many men come to talk to me over the
fence since I stand up in the big hall. They