my darling. Speak to me. Open your eyes. Look at me. Tell me you love
me." But still she lay white and shuddering. Suddenly he released her
and set her on her feet. She stood looking at him with quiet, searching
eyes.

"You love me," she said, her voice low and quivering with a passionate
scorn, "and you treat me so? Let us go." She moved toward her horse.

"Kathleen, hear me," he entreated. "You must hear me. You shall hear
me." He caught her once more by the arm. "I forgot myself. I saw you
lying there so white. How could I help it? I meant no harm. I have loved
you since you were a little girl, since that day I saw you first herding
the cattle. You had a blue dress and long braids. I loved you then. I
have loved you every day since. I think of you and I dream of you. The
world is full of you. I am offering you marriage. I want you to be my
wife." The hands that clutched her arm were shaking, his voice was thick
and broken. But still she stood with her face turned from him, quietly
trying to break from his grasp. But no word did she speak.

"Kathleen, I forgot myself," he said, letting go of her arm. "I was
wrong, but, my God, Kathleen, I am not stone, and when I felt your heart
beat against mine--"

"Oh," she cried, shuddering and drawing further away from him.

"--and your face so white, your dear face so near mine, I forgot
myself."

"No," said the girl, turning her face toward him and searching him with
her quiet, steady, but contemptuous eyes, "you forgot me."

CHAPTER IX

EXCEPT HE STRIVE LAWFULLY

The Wolf Willow Dominion Day Celebration Committee were in session in
the schoolhouse with the Reverend Evans Rhye in the chair, and all
of the fifteen members in attendance. The reports from the various
sub-committees had been presented and approved.

The programme for the day was in the parson's hand. "A fine programme,
ladies and gentlemen, thanks to you all, and especially to our friend
here," said Mr. Rhye, placing his hand on Larry's shoulder.

A chorus of approval greeted his remark, but Larry protested. "Not at
all. Every one was keen to help. We are all tremendous Canadians and
eager to celebrate Dominion Day."

"Well, let us go over it again," said Mr. Rhye. "The football match with
the Eagle Hill boys is all right. How about the polo match with the High
River men, Larry?"

"The captain of the High River team wrote to express regret that two
of his seniors would not be available, but th