ill say it! I have known it from the moment of our
first meeting. I love you! And I shall win you--and together we
will----"

"Oh, don't--don't--not--now--please!"

The man bowed and released the hand. "I can wait," he said gravely.
"But please--for your own good--take my advice. I know the North. I was
born in the North, and am of the North. I have sought only to help you.
Why do you refuse to profit by my experience? Must you endure what I
have endured to learn what I offer freely to tell you? I shudder to
think of It. The knowledge gleaned by experience may be the most
lasting, but it is dearly purchased, and at a great loss--always." The
man's voice was very earnest, and Chloe detected a note of mild reproach.
She hastened to reply.

"I _have_ profited by your advice--have learned much from what you have
told me. I am under obligation to you. I appreciate your interest
in--in my work, and am indeed grateful for what you have done to further
it. But there are some things, I suppose, one _must_ learn by
experience. I may be silly and headstrong. I may be wrong. But I stand
ready to pay the price. The loss will be mine. See!" she cried
excitedly, "they are rolling up the logs for the store."

"Yes," answered the man gravely, "I bow to your wishes in the matter of
your buildings. If you refuse to build a stockade we may erect a few
more buildings--but as few as you can possibly manage with, Miss
Elliston. I must hasten southward."

Chloe studied for some moments. "The store"--she checked them off upon
her fingers--"the schoolhouse, two bunkhouses, we can leave off the
bathrooms, the river and the lake will serve until winter."

Lapierre nodded, and the girl continued. "We can do without the laundry
and the carpenter-shop, and the individual cabins. The Indians can set
up their teepees in the clearing, and build the cabins and the other
buildings later. But I _would_ like a little cottage for myself, and
Miss Penny, and Lena. We _could_ make three rooms do. Can we have three
rooms?"

Lapierre bowed low. "It shall be as you say," he replied. "And now, if
you will excuse me, I shall see to it that these _canaille_ work. LeFroy
they do not fear."

He turned to go, and at that moment Chloe Elliston saw a look of terror
flash into his eyes. Saw his fingers clutch and grope uncertainly at the
gay scarf at his throat. Saw the muscles of his face work painfully.
Saw his colour fade from r