d is
lifted from your name I must forbid your writing her. Neither do I desire
any more communications from you. We all have our failings, and there is
much I could have forgiven you, but that you should have used your
position in the mill to ruin that foolish girl Minnie Lee is more than I
can overlook. The story has roused a very bitter feeling, even among my
own hands, who are not particularly virtuous, and now that we are on the
eve of the elections some of the other side's pettifoggers are using it
freely. Still, I should gladly have faced all that, but for my own shame,
knowing it is true. Her father is a half-mad religious fanatic of some
sort; he came in to call down vengeance upon me, and I laughed at him, as
I insulted the first man who told me, for his trouble. Then I remembered
how by chance I once heard her arrange to meet you in Winnipeg. I
understand the father is going out especially to look for you, and you had
better beware of him. Further, I have a letter from a man called Coombs
who brings a charge of robbery against you, saying it appeared his duty to
advise me. This I returned endorsed, 'A lie,' because none of the Lingdale
Lorimers ever stole anything back to the time of Hilary, who was hanged
like a Jacobite gentleman for taking despatches sword in hand from two of
Cumberland's dragoons. If you are ever actually in want you can let me
know. If not, I am sorry to say it, I do not wish to hear from you."

Hot with rage I flung down the letter, and, though how it got there never
transpired, a tiny slip of paper fluttered out from it, on which I read
the words, "There is a shameful story told about you, Ralph, but even in
spite of my dislike at mentioning it I must tell you that I do not believe
a word of it. Go on, trust in a clean conscience, and the truth will all
come out some day."

"God bless her for her sweet charity," I said; then sat staring moodily
across the frozen prairie until Harry touched me on the arm.

"I hope you have no bad news from home," he said.

I have suffered at times from speaking too frankly, but I had full trust
in Harry, and told him all, adding as I held out the letter:

"He ought to know me better; it's cruel and unjust. I'll write by the next
mail to Winnipeg and send back the confounded money he gave me when I came
out. Read that!"

Harry did so leisurely, wrinkling his brows; then he said: "I think I
sympathize with your uncle--no, wait a little. That letter wa