ut in glowing colours, and I know that I should be enthusiastic.
But I cannot, for when I come back you will not be here. Wait, please
wait a little longer!" he cried, as Constance endeavoured to speak.
"You know not how I love you. Ever since I saw you that wild night at
Siwash Creek your image has been enshrined in my heart. Through that
terrible trial, on the long trail, and out in the Quelchie camp, the
story of which I have told you over and over again, you were ever with
me. My love has intensified; it has become a burning fire. And oh,
Constance! tell me, is there any response? Dare I hope for any return
of my love?"

He was close to her now, looking passionately into her face, from which
all the colour had fled. Her eyes remained fixed upon the ground as
she listened to his rapid words. Her heart was beating fast, and only
with an effort could she control her voice.

"What has this to do with your decision about that church in Toronto?"
she slowly asked, with averted face.

"It means much. If you consent to become my--wife, I might accept that
offer."

"And why?"

She turned as she spoke and looked him full in the eyes. In her words
Keith detected a note of surprise and reproach.

"For--for your sake," he stammered.

"For my sake?"

"Yes. The life would not be so hard there. You would have comforts
which you could not obtain here."

"And you would give up your grand work in the North, where you have had
such success and so promising a future, for a--a woman? Surely you do
not mean it!"

"But what would life be like here without the woman I love? It would
be unbearable!"

"And would a woman be worthy of your love unless she were willing to
share your lot wherever it might be? A true, loving wife would rather
be with her husband in the midst of the fight, by his side to sustain
and comfort him in his trials. Then, where love reigned, the little
log cabin would be a more blessed spot than a palace where love was
not."

"Constance! oh, Constance! can you give me that love? Could you be
happy with me in a rough frontier town? Tell me. Tell me, do you love
me?"

"Mr. Steadman----," she began.

"Not that! Not that!" he cried passionately.

"Well, Keith, then. Oh, Keith, I do love you! I have loved you so
long, but I am not worthy of your love, and--and--"

"Darling! My darling!" he cried, clasping her in his arms and
imprinting upon her lips the sacred betrothal seal. "You