My heart sank within me and my face flushed with confusion.

I might have understood that what she said was merely the outpouring of
an overpowering weakness which was mingling the mental pictures
focussed on the young lady's mind;--but I failed to think anything but
that she had a natural distaste for my presence and was not, even now,
grateful for the assistance I had rendered.

With my head bowed, I walked to the door.

Mrs. Malmsbury,--for that was the elderly lady's name,--came to me.
She had not heard, but she had surmised.

"Oh! Mr. Bremner,--if my dear Mary has said anything amiss to you, do
not be offended, for she is hardly herself yet. Why!--she is only
newly back from the dead."

She held out her hand to me and I took it gratefully. But as I walked
over to my quarters and dressed myself, the feeling of resentment in my
heart did not abate; and I vowed then to myself that I would think of
Mary Grant no more; that I would avoid her when I could and keep
strictly to my own, beloved, masculine, bachelor pursuits and to the
pathway I had mapped out for myself.

CHAPTER XVII

Good Medicine

The Rev. William Auld was due to visit Golden Crescent that afternoon.
I almost wearied for his coming, for he was entertaining and uplifting.
He, somehow, had the happy knack of instilling fresh energy, fresh
ambition, fresh hope, into every one with whom he came in contact.

His noisy launch at last came chug-chugging up the Bay. He started
with the far point of the Crescent and called at every creek, cove and
landing at which there was a home. Then he crept along the shore-line
to Jake's place.

My turn next,--I soliloquised. But, no!--he held out, waving his hand
in salutation.

It was evidently his intention to make a call on Miss Grant before
finishing his Sabbath labours at my bungalow.

He stayed there a long time: so long, that I was beginning to give up
hope of his ever getting my length; but, finally, his cheery voice
hailed me from my doorway and roused my drooping spirits.

His pale, gentle face was wreathed in smiles.

"Good boy! Good boy!" he commented. "God bless you! He is blessing
you,--eh, George!"

"How is the lady?" I inquired.

"Almost as well as ever," he replied. "She has had a severe shake-up
though. It must have been touch and go.

"She was up, George, and talked to me. She told me everything she
could remember; how she refused to take your well-intentioned adv