opposite you a being whom you loved, who understood your moments of
weariness, as well as your moments of strength?"

"No," replied Thorpe, stretching his arms over his head, "a woman would
have talked. It takes a friend and a man, to know when to keep silent
for three straight hours."

The waiter brought the bill on a tray, and Carpenter paid it.

"Wallace," said Thorpe suddenly after a long interval, "we'll borrow
enough by mortgaging our land to supply the working expenses. I suppose
capital will have to investigate, and that'll take time; but I can begin
to pick up a crew and make arrangements for transportation and supplies.
You can let me have a thousand dollars on the new Company's note for
initial expenses. We'll draw up articles of partnership to-morrow."

Chapter XXV

Next day the articles of partnership were drawn; and Carpenter gave
his note for the necessary expenses. Then in answer to a pencilled card
which Mr. Morrison had evidently left at Thorpe's hotel in person, both
young men called at the lumberman's place of business. They were ushered
immediately into the private office.

Mr. Morrison was a smart little man with an ingratiating manner and a
fishy eye. He greeted Thorpe with marked geniality.

"My opponent of yesterday!" he cried jocularly. "Sit down, Mr. Thorpe!
Although you did me out of some land I had made every preparation to
purchase, I can't but admire your grit and resourcefulness. How did you
get here ahead of us?"

"I walked across the upper peninsula, and caught a boat," replied Thorpe
briefly.

"Indeed, INDEED!" replied Mr. Morrison, placing the tips of his fingers
together. "Extraordinary! Well, Mr. Thorpe, you overreached us nicely;
and I suppose we must pay for our carelessness. We must have that pine,
even though we pay stumpage on it. Now what would you consider a fair
price for it?"

"It is not for sale," answered Thorpe.

"We'll waive all that. Of course it is to your interest to make
difficulties and run the price up as high as you can. But my time is
somewhat occupied just at present, so I would be very glad to hear your
top price--we will come to an agreement afterwards."

"You do not understand me, Mr. Morrison. I told you the pine is not for
sale, and I mean it."

"But surely--What did you buy it for, then?" cried Mr. Morrison, with
evidences of a growing excitement.

"We intend to manufacture it."

Mr. Morrison's fishy eyes nearly popped out of his