ed to Colonel Barrington?" asked Graham.

"His sleigh turned over," said Winston, "Horse trampled on him, and it
was an hour or two before his hired man could get him under shelter!"

"You would be content to turn farmer again?"

"I think I would," said Winston, "At least, at Silverdale."

Graham made a little grimace. "Well," he said resignedly, "I guess
it's human nature, but I'm thankful now and then there's nothing about
me but my money that would take the eye of any young woman. I figure
they're kind of useful to wake up a man so he'll stir round looking for
something to offer one of them, but he's apt to find his business must
go second when she has got it and him, and he has to waste on house
fixings what would give a man a fair start in life. Still, it's no use
talking. What have you told him?"

Winston laughed a little. "Nothing," he said. "I will let him come,
and you shall have my decision when I've been to Silverdale."

It was next day when Dane arrived at Winnipeg, and Winston listened
gravely to all he had to tell him.

"I have two questions to ask," he said. "Would the others be unanimous
in receiving me, and does Colonel Barrington know of your mission?"

"Yes to both," said Dane. "We haven't a man there who would not hold
out his hand to you, and Barrington has been worrying and talking a
good deal about you lately. He seems to fancy nothing has gone right
at Silverdale since you left it, and others share his opinion. The
fact is, the old man is losing his grip tolerably rapidly."

"Then," said Winston quietly, "I'll go down with you, but I can make no
promise until I have heard the others."

Dane smiled a little. "That is all I want. I don't know whether I
told you that Maud Barrington is there. Would to-morrow suit you?"

"No," said Winston. "I will come to-day."

It was early next morning when they stepped out of the stove-warmed car
into the stinging cold of the prairie. Fur-clad figures, showing
shapeless in the creeping light, clustered about them, and Winston felt
himself thumped on the shoulders by mittened hands, while Alfreton's
young voice broke through the murmurs of welcome.

"Let him alone while he's hungry," he said. "It's the first time in
its history they've had breakfast ready at this hour in the hotel, and
it would not have been accomplished if I hadn't spent most of yesterday
playing cards with the man who keeps it, and making love to the young
women!"