him had its meaning. He had also noticed that
when the latter greeted his comrade there had been a constraint upon
both of them, but decided that what it betokened did not concern him.

Returning he found Mrs. Forel waiting for him, and having been born in
a Western city her conversation was not marked by English reticence or
the restraint which is at least as common in the Canadian bush.

"Dinner is ready, and you will have to talk to me and the railroad man
during it," she said. "I had thought of making you over to Miss
Deringham until Commander Thorne turned up. Jack and he are great
friends, but he didn't seem able to get over here, until he heard Miss
Deringham was staying with us."

Alton laughed a little. "Now what am I to answer to that? Miss
Deringham was very good to me."

The lady fancied that his merriment was a trifle forced. "You will
just sit down, and eat your dinner like a sensible man," she said.
"You are a Canadian and not expected to say nice things like those
others from the old country. They don't always do it very well, and,
though Jack is fond of them, they make me tired now and then."

Alton took his place beside her, and speedily found himself at home.
Save for the naval officer and two English financiers the men present
had a stake in the future of that country, and as usual neither they
nor their womenkind considered it out of place to talk of their
affairs. They were also men of mark, though several of them who now
held large issues in very capable hands had commenced life as wielders
of the axe. Most of them had heard of Alton of the Somasco
Consolidated, and those who had not listened with attention when he
spoke, for it was evident that they and the rancher had the same cause
at heart. Alice Deringham noticed this, and, though he was not
conscious of it, little Alton did that night escaped her attention.

She saw that while he rarely asserted himself, these men, whom she knew
were regarded with respect as leaders of great industries, accepted him
as an equal when they had heard him speak, but that caused her less
surprise than the fashion in which he adapted himself to his
surroundings. She had already discovered that he was a man with
abilities and ambitions, but she had only seen him amidst the grim
simplicity of the Somasco ranch, and now there was no trifling lapse or
momentary embarrassments to show that he found the changed conditions
incongruous. His dress was als