lick of billiard balls.

Natalie made a picture of adorable perplexity to Garth's eyes as she said:
"What would you advise me to do?"

"How can I advise you?" he said, looking away; "I do not know all the
circumstances."

"But I can't tell you now," she said appealingly. "Don't you see, my
reasons for going must not be allowed to influence our decision as to
whether I _can_ go?"

Garth did not exactly see this; but unwilling to beg for her confidence,
he remained silent.

"My trouble is," she continued presently, "that if we follow the Bishop
and overtake him, he'll virtually be obliged to take me; and I do not
wish to force myself on him."

"As to that," Garth said, "one has to give and take in the North. It's not
like it is outside. Besides, we pay our own score you know; and carry our
own grub. I'll answer for the Bishop."

"Then I see no reason why I should not go," she said.

The journey with her stretched itself rosily before Garth's mind's eye;
but his instinct to take care of her made him oppose it. "There is me,"
he said diffidently; "travelling alone with me, I mean. Even in the
North a girl is obliged to consider what people will say."

Natalie shook her shoulders impatiently. "There's not the slightest
use urging reasons of propriety," she said resolutely. "As long as
my conscience is clear, I can't afford to consider it. This is too
important. It affects my whole life," she added in a deeper voice.
"There's something up there I have to find out!"

Something in this made Garth's hopes lift up a little; for she did not
speak as one whose heart was in thrall.

Mademoiselle Trudeau concluded her piece with an ear-tearing discord;
and turned, self-consciously inviting applause.

"How well you play, dear!" said Natalie, the wheedler. "Isn't it nice
to have music away up here! Try something else."

The performer, adoring Natalie, promptly turned her pig-tails to them
again, and attacked "Two Little Girls in Blue." Garth groaned.

"Discourages listeners," remarked Natalie, indicating the curtained
doorway.

"So," she continued presently, "if you haven't any better reasons to
urge against it, we'll consider the matter settled."

"Couldn't I go for you?" asked Garth.

She resolutely shook her head. "I have promised," she said.

"It was a promise given in ignorance of the conditions," Garth persisted
with rough tenderness. "This wild country is no place for you. I could
not bear to see you wet a