ave left
it."

"He seems to be your favourite author," replied Constance.

"One of my favourites. He deals with the deep, serious things of life,
and has such a virile faith."

One afternoon, instead of reading, they went out for a short snow-shoe
tramp. The day was clear and fine, and the myriads of snowy crystals
gemmed the whole landscape with surpassing glory. They climbed the
hills, chatting like happy children, while at times their voices rang
out in joyous peals of laughter. When they returned to the cabin their
faces glowed with the keen exercise, and Keith, looking at Constance,
thought he never beheld a fairer picture of health and beauty.

"You will come in to see father," she said, when they had reached the
door.

"No, not to-day, thank you," Keith replied. "I have had so much
enjoyment this afternoon, that I feel quite intoxicated. I must get
back to my cabin and do some translationary work. Spring will soon be
here, so I want to get the task finished and off in the first boat."

Keith had been engaged for some time upon the Psalms, and had reached
the one hundred and twenty-first. Generally it was easy for him to
concentrate his mind upon his task, and hours would slip quickly by.
But to-day it was different. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the
hills," he began, and then tried to write. Instead of the Indian words
slipping from beneath his pen, he found himself sketching a fair face
upon the white sheet before him. So absorbed was he at this pleasant
occupation that time moved unheeded by. He was at length startled by a
loud rap upon the door, and quickly turning the sketch face downwards
upon the table called to the visitor to come in. At once a young man
entered, and cast a curious glance around the snug room.

"Mr. Steadman," he began, "you're wanted at the store. There's trouble
on hand. Tim Fleeters had a poke of gold stolen from his cabin, and a
miners' meeting has been called to see what's to be done."

"Certainly I will go," replied Keith. "Will you wait for me?"

"No, I must hurry on; I have more calls to make," and with that he was
away.

Before leaving, Keith lifted the drawing from the table and placed it
in a strong chest in one corner of the room.

"There, if anyone should enter during my absence nothing will be left
to tell how I have spent the afternoon."

As he moved along the path leading to the store, Pritchen crept out
from behind an adjacent building and w