ed Coristine, "I should say he
was The Crew."

"Oh, tell me, please, who is The Crew?" Thereupon the lawyer launched
out into a description of his travels, so comical a one that his fair
companion laughed until the tears stood in her eyes, and she accused him
of making her break the Sabbath. "No," she said at last; "that is not
Sylvanus, but it is his brother Timotheus with Tryphosa. They are
sitting in a ferny hollow under these birches down the hill, with a
hymn-book between them, and as grave as if they were in church. Do you
not think, Mr. Coristine, that that is a very nice and proper way for
young people to improve their acquaintance?"

"Very much so, Miss Carmichael. May I go in and get a hymn book? I can
run like a deer, and won't take a minute over it. One will be enough,
won't it?"

The lady laughed a little pleasant laugh, and replied: "I think not,
sir. We are not servants, at least in the same sense, and the piano and
organ are at our disposal when we wish to exercise our musical powers."

"Snubbed again," muttered Coristine to himself; then aloud: "I wish I
were Timotheus."

"If you prefer Tryphosa's company to mine, sir, you are at liberty to
go; but I think your champion of Peskiwanchow would object to such
rivalry."

"Oh, I didn't mean with Tryphosa."

"You do not know what you mean, nor anybody else. Let us return to the
house."

As they sauntered back, the lawyer suddenly cried out: "What a forgetful
blockhead I am. I have had ever so many business questions to put to
you, and have forgotten all about them."

"Had you not better leave business till to-morrow, Mr. Coristine?" asked
the lady, gravely, almost severely.

"Your father's name was James Douglas Carmichael, was it not?" asked
Coristine, ignoring this quietus.

"Yes," she answered.

"He came to Canada in 1848, and was, for a time, in military service at
Kingston, before he completed his medical studies. Am I right?"

"How do you happen to know these things? My father was singularly
reticent about his past life; but you are right."

The lawyer opened his pocket-book and took out a newspaper cutting,
which he handed to his companion. "I found that at Barrie," he said,
"and trust I have not taken too great a liberty in constituting myself
your solicitor, and opening correspondence with Mr. MacSmaill, W.S.,
regarding your interests."

"It was very kind of you," she answered; "do you think it will bring us
any money, Mr. Corist