try to lead the team."

Agatha struggled forward as far as the near horse's shoulder. The team
slightly sheltered her, and it was a little easier walking with a hand
upon a trace. It was a relief to cling to something, for the wind that
flung the snow into her face drove her garments against her limbs, so
that now and then she could scarcely move. When her strength began to
flag, every yard of the homeward journey was made with infinite pain and
difficulty. At times she could scarcely see the horses, and again,
blinded, breathless and dazed, she stumbled along beside them. She did
not know how Hastings was faring, but she half-consciously recognized
that if once she let the trace go the sled would slip away from her and
she would sink down to freeze.

At last, however, a dim mass crept out of the white haze ahead, and a
moment later a man laid hold of her. The man told her that Mrs. Hastings
was with him, and that the homestead was close at hand. Agatha learned
afterwards that they had reached the house a short time previously and
had immediately set out in search of her and Hastings.

She floundered on beside the horses, with another team dimly visible in
front of her, until a faint ray of light streamed out into the snow.
Then the team stopped, and she had only a hazy recollection of
staggering into a lighted room in the homestead and sinking into a
chair. What they did with Hastings she did not know, but Mrs. Hastings,
who went with her to her room, kissed her before she left her.

Nobody could have faced the snow next morning, and it was several days
later when Watson, who had attended Hawtrey after his accident, was
brought over. Watson did what he could, but it was several weeks before
Hastings could use his injured foot again. Before Hastings recovered,
news was sent him of some difficulty in the affairs of a small creamery
at a settlement further along the line, in which he and his wife held an
interest, and Mrs. Hastings went East to make inquiries respecting it.
She took Agatha with her, and one evening after she had finished the
business she had in hand they left a little way station by the Pacific
train.

The car that they entered was empty except for two persons who sat close
together near the middle of it. A big lamp overhead shed a brilliant
light, and Agatha started when one of their fellow passengers looked
around as she approached him. In another moment she stood face to face
with Hawtrey, who had