you that the bold course is best. But you will need much money,
and as it is evident money will not be plentiful, so I must do my part
in helping you. Because this establishment and our mode of life here
is expensive, while it will please my father to be near the scene of
operations, we will let High Maples and retire to a mountain ranch. I
fear we have maintained a style circumstances hardly justified too
long."

"It's a sensible plan all through. I must tell you Mr. Thurston
has----" began Savine, and ceased abruptly, when Geoffrey, who frowned
at him, broke in:

"We have troubled Miss Savine with sufficient details, and I fancy the
arrangement suggested would help to keep her father tranquil,
especially as our progress will be slow. Spring is near, and, in spite
of our efforts, we shall not be able to deepen the pass in the canyon
before the waters rise. That means we can do nothing there until next
winter, and must continue the dyking all summer. It is very brave of
you, Miss Savine."

Helen smiled upon him as she answered:

"The compliment is doubtful. Did you suppose I could do nothing? But
we must march out with banners flying, or, more prosaically, paragraphs
in the papers, stating that Julius Savine will settle near the scene of
his most important operations. While you are here you should show
yourself in public as much as possible, Mr. Thurston. Whenever I can
help you, you must tell me, and I shall demand a strict account of your
stewardship from both of you."

The two men went away satisfied. Savine said:

"I guess some folks are mighty stupid when they consider that only the
ugly women are clever. There's my niece--well, nobody could call her
plain, and you can see how she's taking hold instead of weakening.
Some women never show the grit that's in them until they're fighting
for their children; but you can look out for trouble, Thurston, if you
fool away any chances, while Helen Savine's behind you fighting for her
father."

A few days later Henry Leslie, confidential secretary to the Industrial
Enterprise Company, sat, with a frown upon his puffy face, in his
handsome office. He wore a silk-bound frock coat, a garment not then
common in Vancouver, and a floral spray from Mexico in his button-hole;
but he was evidently far from happy, and glanced with ill-concealed
dismay at the irate specimen of muscular manhood standing before him.
The man, who was a sturdy British agriculturalist,