mechanical abilities she had supreme faith, had constructed that
pathway especially for her pleasure. So for several reasons her pride
took fire, and she answered coldly: "The path is perfectly safe. My
father himself watched the greater portion of its building."

"It was safe once, no doubt," answered Geoffrey, slightly puzzled as to
how he had offended her, but still resolute. "The rains of last
winter, however, have washed out much of the surface soil, leaving bare
parts of the rock beneath, and the next angle yonder is positively
dangerous. Can we not go around?"

"Only by the head of the valley, two miles away at least," Helen's tone
remained the reverse of cordial. "I have climbed both in the Selkirks
and the Coast Range, and to anyone with a clear head, even in the most
slippery places, there cannot be any real danger!"

"I regret that I cannot agree with you. I devoutly wish I could," said
Geoffrey, uneasily. "No! you must please go no further, Miss Savine."

The girl's eyes glittered resentfully. A flush crept into the center
of either cheek as she walked towards him. Though he did not intend
it, there was perhaps too strong a suggestion of command in his
attitude, and when Helen came abreast of him, he laid a hand
restrainingly upon her arm. She shook it off, not with ill-humored
petulance, for Helen was never ungraceful nor undignified, but with a
disdain that hurt the man far more than anger. Nevertheless, knowing
that he was right, he was determined that she should run no risk.
Letting his hand swing at his side, he walked a few paces before her,
and then turned in a narrow portion of the path where two people could
not pass abreast.

"Please listen to me, Miss Savine," he began. "I am an engineer, and I
can see that the bend yonder is dangerous. I cannot, therefore,
consent to allow you to venture upon it. How should I face your father
if anything unfortunate happened?"

"My father saw the path built," repeated Helen. "He also is an
engineer, and is said to be one of the most skillful in the Dominion.
I am not used to being thwarted for inadequate reasons. Let me pass."

Geoffrey stood erect and immovable. "I am very sorry, Miss Savine,
that, in this one instance, I cannot obey you," he said.

There was an awkward silence, and while they looked at each other,
Helen felt her breath come faster. Retreating a few paces she seated
herself upon a boulder, thus leaving the task of termi