lissom shape was outlined
against it. Then for a while we left the woods, and rode down the hillside
under the last of the afterglow, which blazed, orange, green and crimson,
along the heights of eternal snow, calling up ruby flashes from the ragged
edge of a glacier, while Grace seemed lost in wonder and awe. I do not
think there are any sunsets in the world like those of British Columbia.

"It is unearthly--majestic!" she said half to herself. "And once I almost
felt inclined to sympathize with a Transatlantic scribbler, who compared
the Revelation to what he termed a wholesale jewelry show. He was a
townsman who had never crossed the Rockies--and if there are glories like
this on earth, what must the everlasting city be?"

The weird fires paled and faded, and the peaks were coldly solemn under
their crown of snow, while a little breeze awoke strange harmonies among
the cedars, and there was no more talking. Perhaps we were physically
tired, though that day's march was a very slight task for me, but I felt
that after what we had seen silence became me best. It was dark long
before we rode into Cedar Crossing, and Grace was worn-out when I helped
her from the saddle. Miss Carrington apparently found some difficulty in
straightening herself, and when Calvert had installed them in the one
second-rate hotel, after a visit to an acquaintance there, I sat smoking
beneath a hemlock most of the night keeping guard over it. This was, of
course, palpably absurd; but I was young, and from early ages many others
have done much the same, while, though it seems the fashion to despise all
sentiment now, it is probable that future generations will show traces of
equal foolishness.

We finished the journey on the third day, but I did not see Colonel
Carrington. He was busy at the mine, and it was not worth while wasting
precious time in the really comfortable ranch he had hired, awaiting his
return for the mere pleasure of exchanging greetings with him, while Grace
was far too tired to entertain anybody.

Calvert looked awkward when he shook hands with me. "I don't quite know
how to put it," he said, "but you will understand we can't take you away
several days from your work gratuitously, and all transport is charged to
the Syndicate. Being a trained engineer, I'm working manager, and, as a
matter of business, what do I owe you?"

"Nothing!" I answered shortly. "I could take no payment for assisting Miss
Carrington. If you like,