the ends
had been prepared. Into the enclosure the drive was floated and stopped.
Then a raft was formed by passing new manila ropes over the logs, to
each one of which the line was fastened by a hardwood forked pin driven
astride of it. A tug dragged the raft to Marquette.

Now Thorpe was summoned legally on two counts. First, Judge Sherman
cited him for contempt of court. Second, Morrison & Daly sued him
for alleged damages in obstructing their drive by holding open the
dam-sluice beyond the legal head of water.

Such is a brief but true account of the coup-de-force actually carried
out by Thorpe's lumbering firm in northern Michigan. It is better known
to the craft than to the public at large, because eventually the affair
was compromised. The manner of that compromise is to follow.

Chapter XXXIII

Pending the call of trial, Thorpe took a three weeks' vacation to visit
his sister. Time, filled with excitement and responsibility, had erased
from his mind the bitterness of their parting. He had before been
too busy, too grimly in earnest, to allow himself the luxury of
anticipation. Now he found himself so impatient that he could hardly
wait to get there. He pictured their meeting, the things they would say
to each other.

As formerly, he learned on his arrival that she was not at home. It was
the penalty of an attempted surprise. Mrs. Renwick proved not nearly so
cordial as the year before; but Thorpe, absorbed in his eagerness, did
not notice it. If he had, he might have guessed the truth: that the long
propinquity of the fine and the commonplace, however safe at first from
the insulation of breeding and natural kindliness, was at last beginning
to generate sparks.

No, Mrs. Renwick did not know where Helen was: thought she had gone over
to the Hughes's. The Hughes live two blocks down the street and three to
the right, in a brown house back from the street. Very well, then; she
would expect Mr. Thorpe to spend the night.

The latter wandered slowly down the charming driveways of the little
western town. The broad dusty street was brown with sprinkling from
numberless garden hose. A double row of big soft maples met over it, and
shaded the sidewalk and part of the wide lawns. The grass was fresh and
green. Houses with capacious verandas on which were glimpsed easy chairs
and hammocks, sent forth a mild glow from a silk-shaded lamp or two.
Across the evening air floated the sounds of light conversation