nder the lamp on the sitting-room table,
the two studying the details, their heads together, MacFarlane sitting
beside them reading or listening,--the light of the lamp falling on his
earnest, thoughtful face,--Jack consulting him now and then as to the
advisability of further extensions, the same being two rooms shingled
inside and out, with an annex of bark and plank for Ruth's horse, and a
kitchen and laundry and no end of comforts, big and little,--all to be
occupied whenever their lucky day would come and the merry bells ring
out the joyful tidings of their marriage.

Nor was this all this particularly radiant bubble contained. Not only
was there to be a big open fireplace built of stone, and overhead
rafters of birch, the bark left on and still glistening,--but there
were to be palms, ferns, hanging baskets, chintz curtains, rugs, pots of
flowers, Chinese lanterns, hammocks, easy chairs; and for all Jack knew,
porcelain tubs, electric bells, steam heat and hot and cold water, so
enthusiastic had Ruth become over the possibilities lurking in the 15
X 20 log-hut which Jack proposed to throw together as a shelter in his
exile.

CHAPTER XXV

The news of MacFarlane's expected departure soon became known in the
village. There were not many people to say good-by, the inhabitants
having seen but little of the engineer and still less of his daughter,
except as she flew past, in a mad gallop, on her brown mare, her hair
sometimes down her back. The pastor of the new church came, however, to
express his regrets, and to thank Mr. MacFarlane for his interest in the
church building. He also took occasion to say many complimentary things
about Garry, extolling him for the wonderful manner in which that
brilliant young architect had kept within the sum set apart by the
trustees for its construction, and for the skill with which the work was
being done, adding that as a slight reward for such devotion the church
trustees had made Mr. Minott treasurer of the building fund, believing
that in this way all disputes could the better be avoided,--one of some
importance having already arisen (here the reverend gentleman lowered
his voice) in which Mr. McGowan, he was sorry to say, who was building
the masonry, had attempted an overcharge which only Mr. Minott's
watchful eye could have detected, adding, with a glance over his
shoulder, that the collapse of the embankment had undermined the
contractor's reputation quite as much