t down?" asked
Savine, and Thurston saw that Helen's eyes were fixed upon him. The
expression of the eyes aroused his indignation because the glance was
not a challenge, but a warning that whatever his answer might be, the
result would be indifferent to her. He was hurt that she should
suppose for a moment that he would profit by this opportunity.

"We were not able to descend the whole way," he replied. "Last
winter's rains have loosened the surface soil, and one angle of the
path slipped bodily away. Very fortunately I was some distance in
advance of Miss Savine, and there was not the slightest danger. Might
I suggest socketed timbers? The occurrence reminds me of a curious
accident to the railroad track in the Rockies."

Helen did not glance at the speaker again, for Savine asked no awkward
questions. But Thurston saw no more of her during the afternoon. That
evening he sought Savine in his study.

"You have all been very kind to me," he said. "In fact, so much so
that I feel, if I stay any longer among you, I shall never be content
to rough it when I go back to the bush. This is only too pleasant,
but, being a poor man with a living to earn, it would be more
consistent if I recommenced my work. Which of the operations should I
undertake first?"

Savine smiled on him whimsically, and answered with Western directness:

"I don't know whether the Roads Surveyor was right or wrong when he
said that you were not always over-civil. See here, Thurston, leaving
all personal amenities out of the question, I'm inclined to figure that
you will be of use to me, aid the connection also will help you
considerably. My paid representatives are not always so energetic as
they might be. So if you are tired of High Maples you can start in
with the rock-cutting on the new wagon road. It is only a detail, but
I want it finished, and, as the cars would bring you down in two hours'
time, I'll expect you to put in the week-end here, talking over more
important things with me."

Thurston left the house next morning. He did not see Helen to say
good-by to her, for she had ridden out into the forest before he
departed from High Maples. Helen admitted to herself that she was
interested in Thurston, the more so because he alone, of all the men
whom she had met, had successfully resisted her will. But she shrank
from him, and though convinced that his action in preventing her from
going down the pathway had been justified