client was that lent us the money."

"No," said Forel resolutely. "Nor do I mean to. Sit down again,
Harry, and don't get fancying things."

Alton moved a pace forward with a dark flush in his face. "Forel," he
said, "where did all those dollars come from?"

Forel looked almost abject, and in his desperation glanced towards
Nellie Seaforth.

"I think you had better tell him now," she said.

"You know, too?" said Forel.

Nellie Seaforth smiled a little. "I think I knew all along," she said.
"Still, Charley didn't. He is, of course, a man."

"Then one of you has got to tell me," said Alton.

Nellie Seaforth raised her hand with a little imperious gesture. "As
you know half of it I think you had better hear it all," she said.
"Well, if I had been Miss Deringham I would have taken that way of
giving you back Carnaby. It is possible to raise money on an estate in
the old country."

There was no need of further questions, for the answer was written on
Forel's flushed face, and Alton sat down with his lips firmly set.
Then there was an awkward silence until he spoke again.

"And I cannot return it. Every dollar has been sunk in the mills and
roads except what we took up the first loan with."

Nellie Seaforth nodded with a pretty gravity, for the bond between them
all was stronger than friendship usually is.

"No," she said, "and I can't help thinking that it is just as well.
One cannot shirk his responsibilities, Harry, and you are an Alton--of
Carnaby. You see, nobody could take your inheritance from you, nor,
though you did your best, could you give it away, and there is, I
fancy, only one meaning to that. Fate is too strong for you. You will
redeem Carnaby again, go over there, and be--what you were born to be."

Alton's face was once more flushed, and the girl fancied his fingers
quivered a little, but while he sat silent there was a tapping at the
door and an urchin flung a journal into the room.

"_Colonist_," he said, and vanished suddenly.

Forel, who appeared glad of the diversion, picked up the paper, and
then stood up. "News at last," he said excitedly. "I fancied we would
have had it first, but the news agency fellows have beaten us, Harry;
it's more than probable they're going to rush the railroad through."

Alton's eyes glittered. "Great news, but it will keep," he said. "No,
don't worry over any more of it. Look at the notices."

Forel folded back the sheet. Then it rustled