in the woods. If you
don't want her, you oughtn't to burn logs and sit by the fire when it's
getting dark, as we used to do. But she has gone back to the shadows
that creep among the pines, and I don't think she will come out again."

She pulled up an easy-chair, and when she sat down and shielded her
face from the fire with her hand Jake's eyes twinkled. He wondered
whether Jim saw she was cleverly imitating Evelyn's graceful
languidness. After a few moments she indicated the dark oak paneling
and old furniture.

"That's your proper background, Jim, when you frown. It's plain that
you belong to Langrigg. When you fought the Scots and hunted wolves I
expect you often looked like you looked just now."

"But I didn't fight the Scots," Jim objected.

"Your people did," said Carrie. "Sometimes you're very dull."

Jim laughed and glanced at her. Flames leaped up round the logs and
the red light played about her face. Her color was rather marked, she
looked strangely alert and forceful, and something about her dress gave
her a touch of stateliness, for Carrie had well chosen her English
clothes. Jim knew her to be staunch and fearless, and although her
humor was sometimes puzzling he felt her charm.

"By George!" he said impulsively, "I think you belong to the old days
as much as I belong. One could have trusted you to hold the tower
against all comers when your man went off to hunt."

Carrie held her hand to her face a moment, as if the fire were hot, and
then smiled as she looked up.

"If my man had gone off often, I would have taken the wolf-spear and
gone with him."

Mrs. Winter, who had quietly studied both, began to talk about
something else, and presently a servant brought in some letters. Jim
moved the shaded candle and opened his, but after a time put one down
and looked straight in front, knitting his brows.

"What is it, partner?" Jake asked.

"I have got a knock. I told my Vancouver agent to sell some shares and
send along a check. He says I'd better wait; the market's very flat."

"Then you bought the Bench-lands Irrigation stock?"

"I did. I have invested most of the money I got for the Bluebird mine."

"All ours is at the Merchants' Bank," Carrie remarked. "Jake wanted to
buy Irrigation stock, but I wouldn't let him. However, the company
ought to make good."

"I hope so. Jeffreys is doubtful. I bought because I know the Bench
country and Martin was interested in the scheme.