e border
into the United States. I remained there for twelve years."

"And afterward, Captain Rudstone, I think you visited England--your
native land?" Flora exclaimed at this point. "At least, I have heard you
say so."

The captain gave her a sharp glance, and I fancied I read a hidden
menace in his eyes. Then he shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

"You are quite right, Miss Hatherton; I did say so," he replied. "I had
earned some money in the States and in 1801 I sailed for England. I
lodged in London for some months, avoiding all who might have known me;
then I crossed to the Continent, where I lived for six years in various
towns. In 1807, older and much changed, I ventured back to the Canadas.
I need not speak of my record from that time. I joined the Canadian
Volunteers, and subsequently entered the service of the Hudson Bay
Company, in which I rose to a position of trust. I may say that I have
not been in Montreal since 1788."

"I beg your pardon, captain--I mean, my lord," said Flora, with a pretty
blush. "It was presumptuous of me to question you."

The law clerk shouldered the trunk and marched from the room. The rest
of us followed, and the factor closed and locked the door.

That same evening, feeling restless, I left the house to take a stroll
in the fort inclosure. It was a relief to be away from the red-hot stove
and from the chatter of my companions.

I was in low spirits, I confess--which was one reason why I had come
out. Flora had been unlike herself at supper, very quiet and
thoughtful--a rare thing for her--and I had not seen her since she left
the table. I feared that she was feeling ill, and, of course,
lover-like, I evolved all sorts of dread possibilities from this. I had
in mind, besides, another and more vague cause of anxiety, which was as
yet too intangible to grasp.

For an hour I must have tramped here and there about the inclosure.

At last, wretched and miserable, I returned to the factor's house. I
entered the sitting room and was glad to find it empty and dark. I
lighted a lamp, and coaxed up the dying embers of the fire with fresh
wood. I was in no mood for sleep, and for a long time I sat by the
stove, smoking pipe after pipe of strong tobacco, and staring gloomily
at the flames.

When a distant clock struck twelve I roused from my stupor. I felt in
better spirits, for I had reasoned myself into the belief that Flora
still loved me, and that her strange actions sprang fro