which she said it.

"We had heard she accompanies her husband," said Natalie.

"Yes," said Garth.

"That simplifies matters!" exclaimed Mrs. Mabyn.

"Their route takes in Spirit River Crossing, I believe," pursued
Natalie.

Garth affirmed it, wondering.

Natalie paused before she went on. "Whatever you may think of what I am
going to tell you, Mr. Pevensey," she said with the same proud appeal in
her voice, "we may count on you, I am sure, not to speak of it to any
one for the present."

"Indeed you may!" he said warmly.

"I am obliged to get to Spirit River Crossing at the earliest possible
moment," she said simply.

Through the wilderness with _her_! Garth had to wait a moment before he
could trust himself to reply with becoming coolness.

"Have you considered the kind of a journey it is?" he asked quietly.

"That is the worst of it!" complained Mrs. Mabyn. "I had expected to go
with her; but we find it is out of the question."

Garth hastened to assure her that it was.

"I have considered everything," said Natalie.

"But do you know that you will have to travel two or three weeks in an
open boat in all weathers, a mere canoe in fact; that you will have to
sleep out of doors, and live on the very roughest of fare? Could you
stand it?" he demanded almost sternly.

"I am perfectly well and strong," answered Natalie.

"That is quite so, happily," said Mrs. Mabyn. "Otherwise, I would not
hear of it for a moment."

"If the Bishop's wife can stand it, certainly I can," said Natalie.

"But she is obliged to do it," said Garth.

"So am I!" said Natalie quickly.

There was an awkward pause. Garth said nothing, but his question was
felt.

"Naturally you wonder what forces me to undertake such a journey," said
Natalie uncomfortably.

"Couldn't I help you more intelligently if I knew?" suggested Garth.

"But I cannot tell you," she said. "That is, not yet. Believe me, it is
nothing I need be ashamed of----"

"Natalie!" exclaimed Mrs. Mabyn indignantly. "Is it not I who urge you
to go?"

"Yes, I am doing what will be considered a most praiseworthy thing,"
said Natalie with what sounded strangely like--bitterness.

"Yes, indeed!" urged Mrs. Mabyn, who seemed to have forgotten her late
anxiety on Natalie's account.

"But in telling you," objected Natalie gently, "I would have to trust
you to a far greater extent than you would be trusting me, in lending
me, without knowing my reasons, the assistan