\"Iamsuretheywould，\"saidMaimie，notknowingwhattosay。
\"Whatwerethey，Ran——Mr。Macdonald？\"
\"Iwasthinkingofyou，\"saidRanald，gravely，lookingstraightather。
\"Howlovely，\"murmuredthelieutenant。
\"Andofyouraunt，Mrs。Murray，andofwhattheywouldbedoingthisnight——\"
\"Andwhatwouldthatbe？\"saidKate，comingtothereliefofherfriend。ButRanaldwassilent。
\"Iknow，\"criedHarry。\"Let\'ssee，itisteno\'clock；theywillallbesittinginthemansedining-roombeforethebigfire；or，no，theywillbeintheparlorwherethepianois，andJohn\'Aleck\'
willbethere，andtheywillbesinging\"；andhewentontodescribehislastSabbathevening，twoyearsbefore，intheGlengarrymanse。Ashebegantopicturehisauntandherwork，hisenthusiasmcarriedhimaway，andmadehimeloquent。
\"Itellyou，\"heconcluded，\"she\'sararewoman，andshehasahundredmentherereadytodieforher，eh，Ranald？\"
\"Yes，\"saidRanald，andhisdeepvoicevibratedwithintensefeeling。\"Theywouldjustdieforher，andwhynot？Sheisagreatwomanandagood。\"Hisdarkfacewastransformed，andhiseyesglowedwithaninnerlight。
InthesilencethatfollowedKatewenttotheharmoniumandbegantoplaysoftly。Ranaldstoodupastogo，butsuddenlychangedhismind，andwentoverandstoodbesideher。
\"Yousing，don\'tyou？\"saidKate，assheplayedsoftly。
\"Yououghttojusthearhim，\"saidHarry。
\"Oh，whatdoeshesing？\"
\"Ionlysingthepsalmtunesinchurch，\"saidRanald，\"andafewhymns。\"
\"Yegods！\"ejaculatedthelieutenanttoMaimie，\"psalmsandhymns；
andhowthefellowknockedthoseFrenchmenabout！\"
\"Singsomething，Kate，won\'tyou？\"saidMaimie，andKate，withoutawordbeganthebeautifulairfromMendelssohn\'sSt。Paul：——
\"ButtheLordismindfulofHisown，\"
singingitwithapowerofexpressionmarvellousinsoyoungagirl。Then，withoutfurtherrequest，sheglidedintothelovelyaria，\"ORestintheLord。\"ItwasallnewandwonderfultoRanald。Hedidnotdreamthatsuchmajestyandsweetnesscouldbeexpressedinmusic。Hesatsilentwitheyeslookingfaraway，andfacealightwiththejoythatfilledhissoul。
\"Oh，thanks，verymuch，\"murmuredthelieutenant，whenKatehadfinished。\"Lovelythingthataria，don\'tyouknow？\"
\"Verynice，\"echoedMr。Sims，\"andsobeautifullydone，too。\"
Ranaldlookedfromonetotheotherinindignantsurprise，andthenturningawayfromthemtoKate，said，inatonealmostofcommand：
\"Singitagain。\"
\"I\'llsingsomethingelse，\"shesaid。\"Didyoueverhear——\"
\"No，Ineverheardanythingatalllikethat，\"interruptedRanald。
\"Singsomemorelikethelast。\"
ThedeepfeelingshowinginhisfaceandinhistonetouchedKate。
\"Howwouldthisdo？\"shereplied。\"Itisalittlehighforme，butI\'lltry。\"
Sheplayedafewintroductorychords，andthenbeganthatsweetestbitofthegreatestofalltheoratorios\"HeshallFeedHisFlock。\"
Andfromthatpassedintothesoul-moving\"HeWasDespised\"fromthesamenoblework。Themusicsuitedtherangeandqualityofhervoiceperfectly，andshesangwithherheartthrillinginresponsetothepassionatefeelinginthedarkeyesfixeduponherface。
ShehadneversungtoanyonewholistenedasRanaldnowlistenedtoher。Sheforgottheothers。Shewassingingforhim，andhewascompellinghertoherbest。Shewasconsciousofasubtlesenseofmasteryoverpoweringher，andwithastrangedelightsheyieldedherselftothatcommandinginfluence；butasshesangshebegantorealizethathewasthinkingnotofher，butofhersong，andsoonshe，too，wasthinkingofit。Sheknewthathiseyeswerefilledwiththevisionof\"TheManofSorrows\"ofwhomshesang，andbeforeshewasaware，thepathosofthatlonelyanddespisedlife，setforthinthenoblewordsoftheancientprophet，waspouringforthinthegreatMaster\'smusic。
Whenthesongwasended，noonespokeforatime，andevenMr。Simswassilent。Thenthelieutenantcameovertotheharmonium，andleaningtowardKate，said，inanearnestvoice，unusualwithhim，\"ThankyouMissRaymond。Thatwastrulygreat。\"
\"Greatindeed；\"saidHarry，withenthusiasm。\"Ineverheardyousinglikethatbefore，Kate。\"
ButRanaldsatsilent，findingnowordsinwhichtoexpressthethoughtsandfeelingshersinginghadarousedinhim。
Thereisthatinnoblemusicwhichforbidsunreality，rebukesfrivolityintosilence，subduesignoblepassions，soothestheheart\'ssorrow，andsummonstothesoulhighandholythoughts。Itwasdifficulttobegintheconversation；thetrivialthemesoftheearlierpartoftheeveningseemedforeigntothemoodthathadfallenuponthecompany。AtlengthMr。Simsventuredtoremark，withagiggle：\"It\'sawfullyfine，don\'tyouknow，butatriflefunereal。Makesonethinkofgravesandthatsortofthing。Verynice，ofcourse，\"headded，apologetically，toKate。Ranaldturnedandregardedthelittlemanforsomemomentsinsilence，andthen，withunutterablescorn，exclaimed：\"Nice！man，it\'swonderful，wonderfultomewhatever！MakesmethinkofallthegreatthingsI
eversaw。\"
\"Whatthings？\"Kateventuredtosay。
ForafewmomentsRanaldpaused，andthenreplied：\"Itmakesmethinkofthebigpinetreeswavingandwailingovermeatnight，andthebigriverrollingdownwiththemoonlightonit——and——otherthings。\"
\"Whatotherthings，Ranald，\"persistedKate。
ButRanaldshookhisheadandsatsilentforsometime。Thenheroseabruptly。
\"Iwillbegoingnow，\"hesaid。
\"Youwillcomeagainsoon，Ranald，\"saidMaimie，comingtowardhimwithalookonherfacethatremindedhimofthedaysintheGlengarrymanse。Shehadforgottenallabouthisredshirtandsilkhandkerchief。AsRanaldcaughtthatlookagreatjoyleapedintohiseyesforamoment，thenfadedintoagazeofperplexity。
\"Yes，docome，\"addedKate。
\"Willyousingagain？\"heasked，bluntly。
\"Yes，indeed，\"shereplied，withaslightblush，\"ifyouwantmeto。\"
\"Iwillcome。When？To-morrownight？\"
\"Yes，certainly，to-morrownight，\"saidKate，blushingdeeplynow，forshenoticedtheslightsmileonHarry\'sface，andtheglancethatpassedbetweenMr。Simsandthelieutenant。ThenRanaldsaidgoodnight。
\"Ihaveneverhadsuchpleasureinmylife，\"hesaid，holdingherhandamoment，andlookingintohereyesthatsparkledwithahappylight。\"Thatis，\"headded，withaswiftglanceatMaimie，\"frommusicorthingslikethat。\"
Katecaughttheglance，andthehappylightfadedfromhereyes。
\"Goodnight，\"saidRanald，offeringhishandtoMaimie。\"IamgladIcamenow。Itmakesmethinkofthelastnightatthemanse，althoughIamalwaysthinkingofit，\"headded，simply，withatouchofsadnessinhisvoice。Maimie\'sfacegrewhotwithblushes。
\"Yes，\"sheanswered，hurriedly。\"DearAuntMurray！\"
Hestoodamomentortwoasifabouttospeak，whileMaimiewaitedinanagonyoffear，notknowingwhattoexpectinthisextraordinaryyoungman。Thenheturnedabruptlyaway，andwithagoodnighttoDeLacyandanodtoMr。Sims，strodefromtheroom。
\"GreatCaesar\'sghost！\"exclaimedthelieutenant；\"pardonme，buthasanythinghappened？Thatyoungmannowandthengivesmeasenseoftragedy。WhatHAStakenplace？\"hepanted，weakly。
\"Nonsense，\"laughedMaimie，\"yournervoussystemisratherdelicate。\"
\"Ah，thanks，nodoubtthat\'sit。MissKate，howdoyoufeel？\"
\"I，\"saidKate，wakingsuddenly，\"thankyou，quitehappy。\"
\"Happy，\"sighedDeLacy。\"Ah，fortunateyoungman！\"
\"Greatchap，that，\"criedHarry，comingbackfromseeingRanaldtothedoor。
\"Very，\"saidDeLacy，soemphaticallythateveryonelaughed。
\"Someonereallyoughttodresshim，though，\"suggestedMr。Sims，withaslightsneer。
\"Why？\"saidKate，quietly，facinghim。
\"Oh，well，youknow，MissRaymond，\"stammeredMr。Sims，\"thatsortofattire，youknow，ishardlythethingforthedrawing-room，youknow。\"
\"Heisashantyman，\"saidMaimie，apologetically，\"andtheyalldresslikethat。Idon\'tsupposethathehasanyotherclotheswithhim。\"
\"Oh，ofcourse，\"assentedMr。Sims，retreatingbeforethisdoubleattack。
\"Besides，\"continuedKate，\"itisgoodtastetodressinthegarbofyourprofession，isn\'tit，LieutenantDeLacy？\"
\"Oh，comenow，MissKate，that\'sallright，\"saidthelieutenant，\"butyoumustdrawthelinesomewhere，youknow。Thosecolorsnowyoumustconfessarealittlestartling。\"
\"Youdidn\'tmindthecolorswhenhesavedyoutheotherdayfromthatawfulmob！\"
\"Oneforyou，DeLacy，\"criedHarry。
\"Quiteright，\"answeredthelieutenant，\"butdon\'tmistakeme。I
distinguishbetweenafellowandhisclothes。\"
\"Formypart，\"saidKate，\"Idon\'tcarehowamanisdressed；ifI
likehim，Ilikehimshouldheappearinablanketandfeathers。\"
\"Don\'tspeakofit，\"gaspedthelieutenant。
\"Dolet\'stalkofsomethingelse，\"saidMaimie，impatiently。
\"Delighted，Iamsure，\"saidDeLacy；\"andthatremindsmethatmadamwasthinkingofapicnicdowntheriverthisweek——justasmallcompany，youknow。Themanwoulddriveherdownandtakethehamperandthings，andwewouldgodownbyboat。Awfulpullback，though，\"headded，regretfully，\"butifitshouldgiveanypleasure——delighted，youknow，\"bowinggallantlytotheladies。
\"Delightful！\"criedMaimie。
\"AndRanaldpullssplendidly，\"saidKate。
Maimielookedather，wonderinghowsheknewthat。\"Idon\'tthinkRanaldcangetawayeveryday。I\'msurehecan\'t；canhe，Harry？\"
shesaid。
\"No，\"saidHarry，\"nomorecanI，worseluck！Thegovernorisstickingawfullyclosetoworkjustnow。\"
\"And，ofcourse，youcan\'tbespared，\"saidKate，mockingly。
\"Butcouldn\'tyoubothcomelater？Wecouldwaitteaforyou。
\"Might，\"saidHarry。\"Ishallmakemybestendeavorforyoursake，\"bowingtowardKate，\"butIamdoubtfulaboutRanald。
Perhapswe\'dbetternot——\"
\"Why，certainly，oldchap，\"saidthelieutenant，\"what\'sthematter？\"
\"Well，thefactis，\"blurtedoutHarry，desperately，\"Idon\'twanttodraginRanald。Ilikehimawfully，butyoumayfeelasifhewerenotquiteoneofus。YouknowwhatImean；yourmotherdoesn\'tknowhim。\"
Harryfeltextremelyawkwardknowingthathecameperilouslyneartosuspectingthelieutenantofthemostdespicablesnobbery。
\"Why，certainly，\"repeatedthelieutenant。\"That\'sallright。
BringyourGlengarrymanalongifanyonewantshim。\"
\"Ido，\"saidKate，decidedly。
\"Kismet，\"repliedthelieutenant。\"Itisdecreed。Theyoungmanmustcome，forIsuspectheisverymuch\'oneofus。\'\"Butofthisthelieutenantwasnotquitesocertainbythetimethedayofthepicnichadarrived。
CHAPTERXIX
ONEGAMEATATIME
TheGlengarrymenwereontheMontrealboatleavingforhome。
MacdonaldBhain\'sfarewelltohisnephewwasfullofsadness，forheknewthathenceforththeirwayswouldlieapart，andfullofsolemnwarningsagainstthedangersofthecitywhereRanaldwasnowtobe。
\"Itisawickedplace，andthepitfallsaremany，andtheyarenotintheplaceswheretheeyeswillbelookingforthem。Yearetakingthewaythatwillbeleadingyoufromusall，andIwillnotbekeepingyouback，norwillIbelayinganyvowsuponyou。Youwillbeatrueman，andyouwillkeepthefearofGodbeforeyoureyes，andyouwillrememberthataMacdonaldneverfailsthemanthattrustshim。\"AndlongafterthegreatmanwasgonehislastwordskepttuggingatRanald\'sheart：\"Ranald，lad，rememberusupyonderintheIndianLands，\"hesaid，holdinghishandwithagripthatsqueezedthebonestogether；\"wewillbealwaysthinkingofyou，andmorethanall，attheBibleclassandthemeetingsshewillbeaskingforyouandwonderinghowyouaredoing，andbynightandbydaythedoorwillbeonthelatchforyourcoming；
for，laddie，laddie，youareasontomeandmore！\"ThebreakinthebigMacdonald\'svoicetookawayfromRanaldallpowerofspeech，andwithoutawordofreply，hehadtolethisunclego。
Yankee\'sgoodbywascharacteristic。\"Well，guessI\'llgitalong。
Wishyouwerecomin\'backwithus，butyou\'vestruckyourgait，I
guess，andyou\'regoin\'tomakequiteadust。Keepyourwindtillthelastquarter；that\'swherethemoney\'slost。Iain\'t\'fraidofyou；you\'regreen，buttheycan\'tbreakyou。Keepyourlefteyeonthesuckers。Thereain\'tnodangerfromthefellerthatripsandraresandgitsuponhishindlegs，butthefellerthatsidlesraoundandsorterchumsituptoyouandwantstopayferyourdrinks，byJings，kickhim。Andsay，\"Yankee\'svoiceheregrewlowandimpressive，\"gitsomeclose。Thesehereareallrightforthewoods，butwiththempeopleclosecountsanawfullot。It\'sthemaninsidethatwins，butthecloseisoutside。Git\'emandgit\'emgood；noneofyoursecond-handJewoutfits。It\'llcost，ofcourse，but——hereYankeecloseduptoRanaldbuthere\'sawad；
ain\'tnopertickalerusetome。\"
ThenRanaldsmotehiminthechestandknockedhimbackagainstalumberpile。
\"Iknowyou，\"hecried；\"youwouldbegivingmethecoatoffyourback。IfIwouldbetakingmoneyfromanymanI\'dtakeitfromyou，butletmetellyouIwillhavenomoneythatIdonotearn；\"
then，seeingYankee\'sdisappointedface，headded，\"butindeed，I
oweyouforyourhelptome——and——mi——mine，whenhelpwasneededsore，morethanIcaneverpayback。\"Then，astheyshookhands，Ranaldspokeagain，andhisvoicewasnonetoosteady。\"AndIhavebeenthinkingthatIwouldlikeyoutohaveLisette，foritmaybealongtimebeforeIwillbebackagain，andIknowyouwillbegoodtoher；andifeverIneedyourhelpinthisway，IpromiseI
willcometoyou。\"
Yankeechewedhisquidoftobaccohardandspattwicebeforehecouldreply。Thenheansweredslowly：\"Nowlook-ye-here，I\'lltakethatlittlemareandlookafterher，butthemare\'syoursandif——andif——whichIdon\'tthinkwillhappen——ifyoudon\'tcomebacksoon，why——Iwillsendyouherequivalentincash；butI\'druthersee——I\'drutherseeyoucomebackforit！\"
ItwaswithaverylonelyheartthatRanaldwatchedoutofsightthesteamboatthatcarriedtotheirhomesintheIndianLandsthecompanyofmenwhohadbeenhiscomradesforthelongmonthsinthewoodsandontheriver，andallthemorethathewasdimlyrealizingthatthiswideningbluestripofflowingriverwasseparatinghimforeverfromthelifehesopassionatelyloved。Ashiseyesfollowedthemhethoughtofthehome-comingthathewouldhaveshared；theirmeetingsatthechurchdoor，thegravehandshakingsfromtheolderfolk，thesaucy\"horos\"fromthehalf-grownboys，theshyblushingglancesfromthemaidens，andlastanddearestofall，theglad，proudwelcomeinthesweet，seriousfacewiththegray-browneyes。Itwaswiththememoryofthatfaceinhisheartthatheturnedtomeetwhatmightbecomingtohim，withtheresolvethathewouldplaytheman。
\"Hello，oldchap，who\'sdead？\"ItwasHarry\'sgayvoice。\"Youlooklikeatomb。\"HeputhisarmthroughRanald\'sandwalkedwithhimupthestreet。
\"Whereareyougoingnow？\"heasked，asRanaldwalkedalonginsilence。
\"Togetsomeclothes。\"
\"Thankthegreatpowers！\"ejaculatedHarrytohimself。
\"What？\"
\"Andwhereareyougoingtogetthem？\"
\"Idonotknow——somestore，Isuppose。\"Ranaldhadthevaguestnotionsnotonlyofwhereheshouldgo，butoftheclothesinwhichheoughttoarrayhimself，buthewasnotgoingtoacknowledgethistohisfriend。
\"Youcan\'tgetanyclothesfittowearinthistown，\"saidHarry，inhighcontempt。Ranald\'sheartsank。\"Butcomealong，wewillfindsomething。\"
AstheypassedinfrontofthelittleFrenchshops，withwindowsfilledinsideandoutwithready-madegarments，Ranaldpausedtoinvestigate。
\"Oh！pshaw，\"criedHarry，\"don\'tknowwhatyou\'llgethere。We\'llfindsomethingbetterthanthischeapstuff，\"andRanald，gladenoughofguidance，thoughuncertainastowhereitmightleadhim，followedmeekly。
\"Whatsortofasuitdoyouwant？\"saidHarry。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidRanald，doubtfully。Ithadneveroccurredtohimthattherecouldbeanygreatdifferenceinsuits。Therehadneverbeenanychoosingofsuitswithhim。
\"Likeyours，Isuppose，\"hecontinued，glancingatHarry\'sattire，butadding，cautiously，\"iftheydonotcosttoomuch。\"
\"Aboutfortydollars，\"saidHarry，lightly；then，noticingthedismayedlookonRanald\'sface，headdedquickly，\"butyoudon\'tneedtospendthatmuch，youknow。Isay，youletmemanagethisthing。\"AndfortunateitwasforRanaldthathehadhisfriend\'sassistanceinthisall-importantbusiness，butittookallHarry\'sjudgment，skill，anddelicacyofhandlingtopilothisfriendthroughthedeviouswaysofoutfitters，forRanald\'signoranceofallthatpertainedtoagentleman\'swardrobewasequaledonlybythesensitiveprideontheonehandthatmadehimshrinkfromappearingpoorandmean，andbyhisScotchcautionontheotherthatforbadeundueextravagance。Itwasahardhourandahalfforthemboth，butwhenallwasover，Ranald\'sgratitudemorethanrepaidHarryforhispains。
\"Comeupto-night，\"saidHarry，astheystoodatthedooroftheHotelduNord，whereRanaldhadtakenuphisquarters。
\"No，\"saidRanald，abruptly，unconsciouslyglancingdownathisroughdress。
\"ThenI\'llcomedownhere，\"saidHarry，notingtheglance。
\"Iwillbeveryglad，\"repliedRanald，hisfacelightingup，forhewasmoreafraidthanhecaredtoshowofthelonelyhoursofthatnight。Itwouldbethefirstnightinhislifeawayfromhisownkinandfriends。Buthewasnotsogladwhen，aftertea，ashestoodatthedoorofthehotel，hesawsaunteringtowardhimnotonlyHarry，butalsoLieutenantDeLacyandhisfriendMr。Sims。
\"Thesefellowswouldcomealong，\"explainedHarry；\"Itoldthemyoudidn\'twantthem。\"
\"Showedhowlittleheknew，\"saidthelieutenant。\"Itoldhimyouwouldbedelighted。\"
\"Willyoucomein？\"saidRanald，rathergrudgingly，\"thoughthereisnothingmuchinside。\"
\"Whatabear，\"saidMr。SimstoHarry，disgustedly，inalowvoice。
\"Nothingmuch！\"saidthelieutenant，\"agooddealIshouldsayfromwhatonecanhear。\"
\"Oh，thatisnothing，\"repliedRanald；\"theboysarehavingsomegames。\"
Thebar-roomwasfilledwithmeninshantydress，somesittingwithchairstippedbackagainstthewall，smokingtheblackFrench\"twist\"tobacco；othersdrinkingatthebar；andothersstillatthetablesthatstoodinonecorneroftheroomplayingcardswithloudexclamationsandoathsofdelightordisgust，accordingtotheirfortune。Thelieutenantpushedhiswaythroughthecrowd，followedbytheothers。
\"Ajollylot，byJove！\"heexclaimed，lookingwithmildinterestonthescene，\"andwiththeofferofsomesport，too，\"headded，glancingatthecard-playersinthecorner，wheremenwerelosingtheirwinter\'swages。
\"Whatwillyoutake？\"saidRanald，promptedbyhisHighlandsenseofcourtesy，\"andwouldyouhaveitinthenextroom？\"
\"Anywhere，\"saidthelieutenant，withalacrity；\"alittlebrandyandsodaforme；nothingelseintheseplacesisworthdrinking。\"
Ranaldgavetheorder，andwithsomedegreeofpride，noticedtheobsequiousmannerofthebar-tendertowardhimandhisdistinguishedguests。Theypassedintoaninnerandsmallerroom，litbytwoorthreesmokylampsinbracketsonthewalls。Inthisroom，sittingatoneofthetables，weretwoFrenchmenplayingecarte。Asthelieutenantentered，oneofthemglancedupandutteredanexclamationofrecognition。
\"Ah，itisourwarlikefriend，\"criedDeLacy，recognizinghiminreturn；\"youplaythisgamealso，\"hecontinuedinFrench。
\"Notmoche，\"saidLeNoir，foritwashe，withagrandsalute。
\"Willthecapitainejoin，andhisfriends？\"
Ranaldshookhisheadandrefused。
\"Comealong，\"saidthelieutenant，eagerly，toRanald。Thegamewashispassion。\"Mr。Sims，youwill；Harry，whatdoyousay？\"
\"IwilllookonwithRanald。\"
\"Oh，comeinMacdonald，\"saidthelieutenant，\"themorethebetter，andwe\'llmakeitpoker。Youknowthegame？\"hesaid，turningtoLeNoir；\"andyourfriend——Ihavenotthepleasure——\"
\"Mr。Rouleau，\"saidRanaldandLeNoirtogether，presentingtheyoungFrenchmanwhospokeandlookedlikeagentleman。
\"Doyouplaythegame？\"saidthelieutenant。
\"Averieleetle，butIcanlearnhim。\"
\"That\'sright，\"criedthelieutenant，approvingly。
\"Whatdoyousay，Ranald，\"saidHarry，whoalsolovedthegame。
\"No，\"saidRanald，shortly，\"Ineverplayformoney。\"
\"Makeitpennies，\"saidMr。Sims，withaslightlaugh。
\"Goon，DeLacy，\"saidHarry，angryatMr。Sims\'stone。\"You\'vegotfour——that\'lldo！\"
\"Oh，verywell，\"saidDeLacy，hiseasy，languidairreturningtohim。\"Whatshallitbe——quarterchipswithadollarlimit？Brandyandsoda，Mr。LeNoir？Andyou，Mr。Rouleau？Twomoreglasses，garcon，\"andthegamebegan。
FromtheoutsetRouleausteadilywontillhischipswerepiledhighinfrontofhim。
\"Youplaythegamewell，\"saidthelieutenant。\"Shallweraisethelimit？\"
\"Asyoulak，\"saidRouleau，withapolitebow。
\"Let\'smakeitfivedollars，\"suggestedMr。Sims，towhichallagreed。
ButstillthegamewasRouleau\'s，whogrewmoreandmoreexcitedwitheverywin。Thelieutenantplayedcoolly，andwithseemingindifference，inwhichhewasimitatedbyMr。Sims，thelossofafewdollarsbeingamatterofsmallmomenttoeither。
\"Itwouldmakeitmoreinterestingifwemadeitadollartoplay，\"
atlengthsaidMr。Sims。Thesuggestionwasaccepted，andthegamewenton。Atoncetheluckbegantoturn，andinahalfhour\'splayRouleau\'swinningsdisappearedandpassedovertothelieutenant\'shand。Inspiteofhisbadluck，however，Rouleaucontinuedtobeteagerlyandrecklessly，untilRanald，whohatedtoseetheyounglumbermanlosinghisseason\'swages，suggestedthatthegamecometoanend。
\"Thenightisearly，\"saidthelieutenant，\"butifyouhavehadenough，\"hesaid，bowingtoLeNoirandRouleau。
\"Non！\"exclaimedRouleau，\"thefortunewilltomeencore。Wemakitdetwo-dollartoplay。Datwillbrakdeluck。\"
\"Ithinkyououghttostopit，\"saidHarry。
ButthedemonofplayhadtakenfullpossessionofbothRouleauandthelieutenantandtheywerenottobedenied。Rouleautookfromhispocketarollofbillsandcountedthem。
\"Fiftydollars，\"hecried。\"Bon！Iplayhim，me！\"
Theothersdepositedalikesumbeforethem，andthegameproceeded。
ThedealwasDeLacy\'s。Afterafewmoment\'sconsideration，Mr。
SimsandLeNoireachdrewthreecards。Inatoneoftriumphwhichhecouldnotaltogethersuppress，Rouleauexclaimed\"Deesaregoodenoughforme。\"Thelieutenantdrewonecard，andthebettingbegan。
TwiceRouleau，whenitcametohisturn，betthelimit，theotherscontentingthemselvesby\"raising\"onedollar。OnthethirdroundLeNoir，remarking，\"Dasleetletooqueekforme，\"droppedout。
OncemoreRouleauraisedthebettothelimit，whenMr。Simsrefused，andleftthegametohimandthelieutenant。TherewasnomistakingtheeagertriumphintheFrenchman\'spaleface。Hebegantobetmorecautiously，hisonlyfearbeingthathisopponentwould\"call\"toosoon。DollarbydollarthebetwasraisedtillatlastRouleaujoyouslygatheredhislastchips，raisedthebetoncemorebythelimit，exclaiming，ashedidso，\"Alas！dereeesnomore！\"
Hehadplayedhisseason\'swagesthatnight，butnowhewouldrecoverall。
DeLacy，whosecoolnesswasundisturbed，thoughhisfaceshowedsignsofhismanybrandy-and-sodas，coveredthebet。
\"Hola！\"exclaimedRouleauintriumph。\"Eeteestome！\"Hethrewdownhiscardsandreachedforthepile。
\"Excuseme，\"saidthelieutenant，quietlylookingatRouleau\'scards。\"Ah，astraightflush，queenhigh。\"Coollyhelaidhiscardsonthetable。\"Thoughtyoumighthavehadtheace，\"hesaid，languidly，leaningbackinhischair。He，too，heldastraightflush，butwiththeking。
Rouleaugazedthunderstruck。
\"MortDieu！\"heexclaimed，excitedly。\"Thedealwasfromyou。\"
\"Mine，\"saidDeLacy，quietly，lookingupattheexcitedFrenchman。
\"Ah，\"criedRouleau，besidehimself。\"Itis——whatyoucall？Onecheat！cheat！\"
Thelieutenantsatupstraightinhischair。
\"DoyoumeanthatIcheatedyou？\"hesaid，withslowemphasis。
\"Bewarewhatyousay。\"
\"Oui！\"criedtheFrenchman；\"sacr-r-re——soImean！\"
Beforethewordshadwelllefthislips，andbeforeanyonecouldinterfereDeLacyshotouthisarm，liftedtheFrenchmanclearoffhisfeet，andhurledhimtothefloor。
\"Stop！youcoward！\"Ranaldstoodbeforethelieutenantwitheyesblazingandbreathcomingquick。
\"Coward？\"saidDeLacy，slowly。
\"Youhitamanunprepared。\"
\"Youareprepared，Isuppose，\"repliedDeLacy，deliberately。
\"Yes！Yes！\"criedRanald，eagerly，thegladlightofbattlecomingintohiseyes。
\"Good，\"saidDeLacy，slowlyputtingbackhischair，andproceedingtoremovehiscoat。
\"Glengarry！\"criedLeNoir，raisingthebattlecryhehadcausetoremembersowell；andflingingoffhiscoatuponthefloor，hepattedRanaldontheback，yelling，\"Goin，bullyboy！\"
\"Shutthedoor，LeNoir，\"saidRanald，quickly，\"andkeepitshut。\"
\"DeLacy，\"criedHarry，\"thismustnotgoon！Ranald，thinkwhatyouaredoing！\"
\"Youdidn\'tnoticehisremark，apparently，St。Clair，\"saidthelieutenant，calmly。
\"Nevermind，\"criedHarry，\"hewasexcited，andanywaythethingmustendhere。\"
\"Thereisonlyoneway。Doesheretract？\"saidDeLacy，quietly。
\"Ranald，\"Harrycried，beseechingly，\"youknowheisnocoward；youdidnotmeanthat。\"
BythistimeRanaldhadhimselfinhand。
\"No，\"hesaid，regretfully，forcinghimselftospeakthetruth。\"I
knowheisnocoward；Ihaveseenhimwherenocowardwouldbe，but，\"headded，\"hestruckamanunguarded，andthatwasacoward\'sblow。\"
\"Macdonald，\"saidDeLacydeliberately，\"youareright。True，hecalledmeacheat，butIshouldhavegivenhimtime。Still，\"headded，rollinguphissleeves，\"Ihopeyouwillnotdepriveyourselformeoftheprivilegeofsettlingthislittlebusiness。\"
\"Iwillbeglad，\"saidRanald，hiseyesoncemorelightingup。
\"Verygladindeed，ifyouwish。\"
\"Nonsense，\"criedHarry，passionately，\"ItellyouIwillnothaveit。Hehasgivenyouampleapology，DeLacy；andyou，Ranald，I
thoughtaMacdonaldneverfoughtexceptforsufficientcause！\"
HarryrememberedthefightingruleoftheMacdonaldgang。
\"Thatistrue，\"saidRanald，gravely，\"butitwasacruelblow，\"
pointingtoRouleau，who，supportedbyLeNoir，wassittingonachair，hisfacebadlycutandbleeding，\"andthat，too，aftertakingfromhimthewagesofsixmonthsinthebush！\"
\"Isupposeyouadmitthegamewasfair，\"saidthelieutenant，movingnearertoRanald，thethreatinhistoneevidenttoall。
\"Thegamewasfair，\"saidRanald，facingDeLacy，\"butIwillsaytheladwasnofairmatchforyou！\"
\"Hechosetoriskhismoney，whichyouwerenotwillingtodo。\"
DeLacyfeltthathewasbeingputinanunpleasantlightandwasdeterminedtoangerRanaldbeyondcontrol。Ranaldcaughtthesneer。
\"IfIdidnotplay，\"hecried，hotly，\"itwasfornofearofyouoranyofyou。Itwasnoman\'sgamewhatever，\"hecontinued，contemptuously。
\"Now，DeLacy，\"criedHarry，again，\"letthisstop。Themanwhofightswillfirstfightme！\"
\"PerhapsMr。Macdonaldwouldshowushowthegameshouldbeplayed，\"saidMr。Sims，comingasneartoasneerashedared。
\"Itwouldnotbehardtoshowyouthisgame，\"saidRanald，ignoringMr。Sims，andlookingthelieutenantintheeyes，\"orperhapstheother！\"
\"Good！\"criedHarry，gladlyseizingtheopportunityofavertingafight。\"Thegame！Takeyourplaces，gentlemen！\"
Thelieutenanthesitatedforamoment，asifuncertainwhattodo。
Then，withaslightlaugh，hesaid，\"Verywell，onethingatatime，theothercanwait。\"
\"Comeon！\"criedHarry，\"whogoesin？LeNoir，you？\"
LeNoirlookedatRanald。
\"Whatyousay？\"
\"No，\"saidRanald，shortly，\"thisismygame！\"WiththatheturnedasidefromthetableandspokeafewwordsinalowtonetoLeNoir，whoassistedRouleaufromtheroom，andaftersomeminutes\'absence，returnedwithalittlelinenbag。Ranaldtookthebagandbegantocountoutsomemoneyuponthetablebeforehim。
\"Iwillplaytoonehundreddollars，\"hesaid。
ThelieutenantandMr。Simseachlaidthesameamountbeforethemuponthetable。
\"Ihavenotsomuchonme，\"saidHarry，\"butperhapsmyI。O。U。
willdo。\"
\"Whatshallwesay，\"saidMr。Sims，\"adollartoplayandfivedollarslimit？\"
\"Sayfiveandtwenty-five，\"saidDeLacy，whowascommandinghimselfwithagreateffort。
\"Isthattoohigh？\"saidHarry，lookingtowardRanald。
\"No，\"saidRanald，\"thehigherthebetter。\"
ItwassoonevidentthatRanaldknewthegame。HehadlearneditduringthelongwinternightsintheshantyfromYankee，whowasamasteratit，andheplayeditwarilyandwithironnerve。Heseemedtoknowasbyinstinctwhentoretreatandwhentopursue；
andheplayedwiththesinglepurposeofbleedingthelieutenantdry。OftendidherefusetotaketollofHarryorMr。Simswhenopportunityoffered，butneveroncedidheallowthelieutenanttoescape。
\"Youflatterme，\"saidthelieutenant，sarcastically，asRanald\'spurposebecameincreasinglyclear。
\"Iwillhavefromyouallyouhavewon，\"repliedRanald，inatoneofsuchsettledresolvethatitseemedasifnothingcouldpreventtheaccomplishmentofhispurpose。Invainthelieutenantsoughttobracehisnerveswithhisbrandy-and-sodas。Heplayednowrecklesslyandagainwithover-caution，whileRanald，takingadvantageofeveryslipandeverysignofweakness，followedhimwithrelentlessdetermination。
Withsuchstakesthegamewassoonover。Itwasnotlongbeforethelieutenantwasstrippedofhishundred，whileHarryandMr。
Simshadeachlostsmalleramounts。
\"Youwilltryanotherhundred？\"saidthelieutenant，burningtogetrevenge。
WithoutawordRanaldlaiddownhishundred；theothersdidlikewise，andoncemorethegameproceeded。TherewasnochangeinRanald\'splay。Thoroughknowledgeofthegame，absoluteself-
command，aninstinctivereadingofhisopponent\'smind，andunswervingpurposesoonbroughtabouttheonlyresultpossible。
Thelieutenant\'ssecondhundredwithapartofHarry\'sandMr。
Sims\'spassedintoRanald\'spossession。
AgainDeLacychallengedtoplay。
\"No，\"saidRanald，\"Ihavedone。\"Heputbackintohislinenbaghisonehundreddollars，countedouttwohundred，andgaveittoLeNoir，saying：\"ThatisRouleau\'s，\"andthrewtherestuponthetable。\"Iwantnoman\'smoney，\"hesaid，\"thatIdonotearn。\"
Thelieutenantsprangtohisfeet。
\"Hold！\"hecried，\"youforget，thereissomethingelse！\"
\"No，\"saidRanald，asHarryandMr。SimsputthemselvesinDeLacy\'sway，\"thereisnothingelseto-night；anotherday，andanydayyouwish，youcanhavetheothergame，\"andwiththathepassedoutoftheroom。
CHAPTERXX
HERCLINGINGARMS
TheancientcapitalofCanada——theoldgrayqueenofthemightySt。
Lawrence——isacityofmanycharmsandofmuchstatelybeauty。Itsnarrow，climbingstreets，withtheirquaintshopsandcuriousgables，itsoldmarket，withchafferinghabitantfarmersandtheirwives，arefulloflivinginterest。Itsnoblerock，crownedwiththeancientcitadel，anditssweepingtidalriver，lenditadignityandmajesticbeautythatnoothercityknows；andeverywhereaboutitscitadelandwalls，andvenerable，sacredbuildings，therestilllingertheromanceandchivalryofheroicdayslonggone。Buttherearetimeswhenneithertheinterestsofthelivingpresentnorthecharmsoftheromanticpastcanavail，andsoashadowlayuponMaimie\'sbeautifulfaceasshesatintheparloroftheHoteldeChevalBlanc，lookingoutuponthemightystreetsandthehuddledroofsofthelowertown。Sheheldinherhandanopennote。
\"Itisjustawfullystupid，\"shegrumbled，\"andIthinkprettymeanofhim！\"
\"Ofwhom，mayIask？\"saidKate，pausinginhersinging，\"oristhereanyneed？Whatsaysthegallantlieutenant？\"
Maimietossedherthenote。
\"Thepicnicispostponed。Well，ofcoursetheraintoldusthat；
andheisunavoidablypreventedfromcalling，andentreatsyoursympathyandcommiseration。Well，that\'saverynicenote，Iamsure。\"
\"Wherehashebeenthesethreedays！Hemighthaveknownitwouldbestupid，andHarrygivesonenosatisfaction。\"Maimiewasundeniablycross。\"AndRanald，too，\"shewenton，\"wherehashebeen？Notevenyourmusiccouldbringhim！\"withalittlespiceofspite。\"Ithinkmenarejusthorrid，anyway。\"
\"Especiallywhentheywillkeepaway，\"saidKate。
\"Well，whataretheygoodforifnottoentertainus？Iwishwecoulddowithoutthem！ButIdothinkRanaldmighthavecome。\"
\"Well，\"saidKate，emphatically，\"Ican\'tseewhyyoushouldexpecthim。\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"Ithinkyououghttoknow。\"
\"I，howshouldIknow？\"Maimie\'sinnocentblueeyeswerewideopenwithsurprise。
\"Nonsense，\"criedKate，withimpatiencerareinher，\"don\'tbeabsurd，Maimie；Iamnotachild。\"
\"WhatdoYOUmean？\"
\"Youneedn\'ttellmeyoudon\'tknowwhyRanaldcomes。Doyouwanthimtocome？\"
\"Why，ofcourseIdo；howsillyyouare。\"
\"Well，\"saidKate，deliberately，\"Iwouldratherbesillythancruelandunkind。\"
\"Why，Kate，howdreadfulofyou！\"exclaimedMaimie；\"\'cruelandunkind！\'\"
\"Yes。\"saidKate；\"youarenottreatingRanaldwell。Youshouldnotencouragehimto——to——careforyouwhenyoudonotmeanto——
to——goonwithit。\"
\"Oh，whatnonsense；Ranaldisnotababy；hewillnottakeanyhurt。\"
\"Oh，Maimie，\"saidKate，andhervoicewaslowandearnest，\"Ranaldisnotlikeothermen。Hedoesnotunderstandthings。Helovesyouandhewillloveyoumoreeverydayifyoulethim。Whydon\'tyoulethimgo？\"
\"Lethimgo！\"criedMaimie，\"who\'skeepinghim？\"Butasshespoketheflushinhercheekandthewarmlightinhereyetoldmoreclearlythanwordsthatshedidnotmeantolethimgojustthen。
\"Youare，\"saidKate，\"andyouaremakinghimloveyou。\"
\"Why，howsillyyouare，\"criedMaimie；\"ofcoursehelikesme，but——\"
\"No，Maimie，\"saidKate，withsadearnestness，\"helovesyou；youcanseeitinthewayhelooksatyou；inhisvoicewhenhespeaksand——oh，youshouldn\'tlethimunlessyoumeanto——to——goon。Sendhimrightaway！\"ThereweretearsinKate\'sdarkeyes。
\"Why，Katie，\"criedMaimie，lookingathercuriously，\"whatdifferencedoesitmaketoyou？Andbesides，howcanIsendhimaway？IjusttreathimasIdoMr。DeLacy。\"
\"DeLacy！\"criedKate，indignantly。\"DeLacycanlookafterhimself，butRanaldisdifferent。Heissoseriousand——andsohonest，andhemeansjustwhathesays，andyouaresonicetohim，andyoulookathiminsuchaway！\"
\"Why，Kate，doyoumeanthatItryto——\"Maimiewasrighteouslyindignant。
\"Youperhapsdon\'tknow，\"continuedKate，\"butyoucan\'thelpbeingfascinatingtomen；youknowyouare，andRanaldbelievesyouso，and——andyououghttobequitestraightforwardwithhim！\"PoorKatecouldnolongercommandhervoice。
\"There，now，\"saidMaimie，caressingherfriend，notunpleasedwithKate\'sdescriptionofher；\"I\'mgoingtobegood。Iwilljustbehorridtobothofthem，andthey\'llgoaway！But，oh，dear，thingsareallwrong！PoorRanald，\"shesaidtoherself，\"IwonderifhewillcometothepicniconSaturday？\"
Katelookedatherfriendamomentandwipedawayhertears。
\"IndeedIhopehewillnot，\"shesaid，indignantly，\"forIknowyoumeantojustleadhimon。Ihaveamindtotellhim。\"
\"Tellhimwhat？\"saidMaimie，smiling。
\"Justwhatyoumeantodo。\"
\"Iwishyouwouldtellmethat。\"
\"NowItellyou，Maimie，\"saidKate，\"ifyougoonwithRanaldsoanylongerIwilljusttellhimyouareplayingwithhim。\"
\"Do，\"saidMaimie，scornfully，\"andbecarefultomakecleartohimatthesametimethatyouarespeakingsolelyinhisinterest！\"
Kate\'sfaceflushedredattheinsinuation，andthengrewpale。
Shestoodforsometimelookinginsilenceatherfriend，andthenwithaproudflashofherdarkeyes，shesweptfromtheroomwithoutaword，nordidMaimieseeheragainthatafternoon，thoughshestoodoutsideherdoorentreatingwithtearstobeforgiven。
PoorKate！Maimie\'sshafthadgonetoonearavitalspot，andthewoundamazedandterrifiedher。WasitforRanald\'ssakealoneshecared？Yes，surelyitwas。Thenwhythissharpnewpainunderthehandpressingharduponherheart？
Oh，whatdidthatmean？Sheputherfaceinherpillowtohidetheredthatsheknewwasflaminginhercheeks，andforafewmomentsgaveherselfuptothejoythatwasfloodingherwholeheartandsoulandallhertinglingveins。Oh，howhappyshewas。ForlongshehadheardoftheGlengarryladfromMaimieandmorefromHarrytilltherehadgrownupinherheartawarm，admiringinterest。
Andnowshehadcometoknowhimforherself！Howlittleafterallhadtheytoldherofhim。Whatamanhewas！Howstrongandhowfearless！Howtrue-heartedandhowhiseyescouldfillwithlove！
Shestartedup。Love？Love？Ah，wherewasherjoy！Howchillthedayhadgrownandhowhatefulthesunlightontheriver。Shedrewdowntheblindandthrewherselfoncemoreuponthebed，shiveringandsickwithpain——thebitterestthatheartcanknow。
Oncemoreshestartedup。
\"Sheisnotworthyofhim！\"sheexclaimed，aloud；\"herheartisnotdeepenough；shedoesnot，cannotlovehim，andoh，ifsomeonewouldonlylethimknow！\"
Shewouldtellhimherself。No！No！Maimie\'ssharparrowwasquiveringstillinherheart。Oncemoreshethrewherselfuponthebed。Howcouldshebearthisthathadstrickenher？Shewouldgohome。Shewouldgotohermotherto-morrow。Goawayforeverfrom——
ah——couldshe？No，anythingbutthat！Shecouldnotgoaway。
Overthebroadriverthewarmsunlightlaywithkindlyglow，andtheworldwasfullofthesoft，sweetairofspring，andthesongsofmatingbirds；butthehourspassed，andovertherivertheshadowsbegantocreep，andthewholeworldgrewdark，andthesongsofthebirdswerehushedtosilence。Then，fromherroom，Katecamedownwithfaceserene，andbutfortheeyesthatsomehowmadeonethinkoftears，withoutasignofthestormthathadswepthersoul。Shedidnotgohome。Shewastoobraveforthat。Shewouldstayandfightherbattletotheend。
ThatwasadrearyweekforRanald。Hewaslonelyandheartsickforthewoodsandforhishomeandfriends，butchieflywasheoppressedwiththesenseofhavingplayedthefoolinhisquarrelwithDeLacy，whomhewasbeginningtoadmireandlike。Hesurelymighthaveavoidedthat；andyetwheneverhethoughtofthegamethathadsweptawayfromRouleauallhiswinter\'searnings，andofthecruelblowthathadfollowed，hefelthismusclesstiffenandhisteethsettightinrage。No，hewoulddoitallagain，norwouldheretreatonesinglestepfromthepositionhehadtaken，butwouldseehisquarrelthroughtotheend。ButworstofallhehadnotseenMaimiealltheweek。HisexperiencewithHarryintheorderingofhissuithadtaughthimtheimportanceofclothes，andhenowunderstoodashecouldnotbefore，Maimie\'smannertohim。\"Thatwouldbeit，\"hesaidtohimself，\"andnowonder。Whatwouldshedowithagreat，coarsetykelikeme！\"Then，inspiteofallhisloyalty，hecouldnothelpcontrastingwithMaimie\'suncertainanddoubtfultreatmentofhim，thewarm，frankfriendlinessofKate。
\"SHEdidnotmindmyclothes，\"hethought，withaglowofgratitude，butsharplycheckinghimself，headded，\"butwhyshouldshecare？\"
ItratherpleasedhimtothinkthatMaimiecaredenoughtofeelembarrassedathisroughdress。SohekeptawayfromtheHoteldeChevalBlanctillhisnewsuitshouldbeready。Itwasnotbecauseofhisdress，however，thathesteadilyrefusedHarry\'sinvitationtothepicnic。
\"No，Iwillnotgo，\"hesaid，withbluntdecision，afterlisteningtoHarry\'spleading。\"ItisLieutenantDeLacy\'spicnic，andI
willhavenothingtodowithhim，andindeedhewillnotbewantingme！\"
\"Oh，he\'sforgottenallaboutthatlittleaffair，\"criedHarry。
\"Hashe？Indeedthenifheisamanhehasnot！\"
\"Iguesshehasn\'trememberedmuchofanythingforthelastweek，\"
saidHarry，withaslightlaugh。
\"Whynot？\"
\"Oh，pshaw，he\'sbeenonabigtear。Heonlysoberedupyesterday。\"
\"Huh！\"gruntedRanald，contemptuously。Hehadlittlerespectforamanwhodidnotknowwhenhehadhadenough。\"Whatabouthisjob？\"
heasked。
\"Hisjob？Oh，Isee。Hisjobdoesn\'tworryhimmuch。He\'sabsentonsick-leave。Buthe\'sallfitagainandIknowhewillbedisappointedifyoudonotcometo-morrow。\"
\"Iwillnotgo，\"saidRanald，withfinaldecision，\"andyoucantellhimso，andyoucantellhimwhy。\"
AndHarrydidtellhimwithconsiderablefullnessandemphasisnotonlyofRanald\'sdecision，butalsoRanald\'sopinionofhim，forhefeltthatitwoulddothatlordlyyoungmannoharmtoknowthatamanwhomhewasinclinedtopatronizeheldhimincontemptandforcause。ThelieutenantlistenedforatimetoallHarryhadtosaywithapparentindifference，thensuddenlyinterruptinghim，hesaid：\"Oh，Isay，oldchap，Iwouldn\'trubitinifIwereyou。I
haveamoreorlessvagueremembranceofhavingratherindulgedinheroics。Onecan\'tkeephisheadwithpokerandunlimitedbrandy-
and-sodas；theydon\'tgotogether。It\'sathingIalmostneverdo；
neverinabiggame，butthethinggotinterestingbeforeIknew。
ButIsay，thatGlengarrychapplaysamightygoodgame。Mustgethimonagain。Feelshot，eh？Iwillmakethatallright，andwhat\'stheFrenchchap\'sname——Boileau，Rondeau，eh？Rouleau。
Yes，andwherecouldoneseehim？\"
\"IcanfindoutfromLeNoir，whowillbesomewherenearRanald。
Youcan\'tgethimawayfromhim。\"
\"Well，do，\"saidthelieutenant，lazily。\"BringLeNoirtoseeme。
IowethatRouleauchapanapology。Beastlybusiness！AndI\'llfixitupwithMacdonald。Hehastherightofit，byJove！Ratherlucky，Ifancy，hedidn\'tyieldtomysolicitationsforatryattheothergame——fromwhatIrememberofthestreetriot，eh？Wouldnotmindhavingagowithhimwiththegloves，though。Iwillseehimto-morrowmorning。Keepyourmindatrest。\"
NextmorningwhenLeNoircametohisworkhewasfullofthelieutenant\'spraisestoRanald。
\"DasfinefellerleCapitaine，eh？DasdeGrandSeigneurforsure！
He\'smakeetallrightwitRouleau！He\'spaydecashmoneyandhe\'smakeetdegoodposishforhim，an\'sethimupthechampagne，too，bygar！\"
\"Huh，\"gruntedRanald。\"RunthatcribaroundtheboomthereLeNoir；breakitupandkeepyourgangmovingto-day！\"
\"Bon！\"saidLeNoir，withalacrity。\"Igive\'emdebigmove，me！\"
ButhoweverunwillingRanaldwastolistentoLeNoirsingingthelieutenant\'spraises，whenhemetHarryatnoonintheofficehewasevenmoreenthusiasticthanLeNoirinhisadmirationofDeLacy。
\"Ineversawthelikesofhim，\"hesaid。\"Hecouldbringthebirdsoutofthetreeswiththattongueofhis。Indeed，Icouldnothavedonewhathedidwhatever。Man，butheisagentleman！\"
\"Andareyougoingthisevening？\"
\"ThatIam，\"saidRanald。\"WhatelsecouldIdo？Icouldnothelpmyself；hemademefeelthatmeanthatIwasreadytodoanything。\"
\"Allright，\"saidHarry，delighted，\"Iwilltakemycanoearoundforyouaftersix。\"
\"And，\"continuedRanald，withalittlehesitation，\"hetoldmehewouldbewearingajerseyandducktrousers，andIthinkthatwasveryfineofhim。\"
\"Why，ofcourse，\"saidHarry，quitemystified，\"whatelsewouldhewear？\"
Ranaldlookedathimcuriouslyforamoment，andsaid：\"Aswallow-
tail，perhaps，orablanket，maybe，\"andheturnedawayleavingHarrymoremystifiedthanever。
Soonaftersix，Harrypaddledaroundinhiscanoe，andgavethesterntoRanald。Whatajoyitwastohimtobeinacanoesternagain；tofeeltherushofthewaterunderhisknees；tohaveherglideswiftlyonhersoundlesswaydownthefull-bosomed，sunbathedriver；toseeherputhernoseintothelittlewavesandgently，smoothlypushthemasunderwithneverasplashorswerve；tosendheralongstraightandtrueasanarrowinitsflight，andthenflip！fliptoswingheroffafloatinglogoraroundanawkwardboatlumberingwithclumsyoars。Thatwastobealiveagain。Oh，thejoyofit！Ofallthingsthatmovetothewillofmanthereisnonelikethecanoe。Italonehasthesweet，smoothglide，theswift，silentdartansweringthepaddlesweep；thequickswerveinresponsetotheturnofthewrist。Ranaldfeltasifhecouldhavegladlypaddledonrightouttotheopensea；butsweepingaroundabendalong，clearcallhailedthem，andthere，fardownatthebottomofalittlebay，atthefootofthebig，scarred，andwrinkledrockthesmokeandglimmerofthecamp-firecouldbeseen。
Aflipofthesternpaddle，andthecanoepointedforthewavingfigure，andundertherhythmicsweepofthepaddles，spedlikeanarrowdownthewaters，slopingtotheshore。There，onagreatrock，stoodKate，directingtheircourse。
\"Here\'sagoodlanding，\"shecried。Rightattherockdashedthecanoeatfullspeed。Amomentmoreandherdaintynosewouldbebatteredoutofallshapeonthecruelrock，butastrongbackstroke，aturnofthewrist，flip，andshelayfloatingquietlybesidetherock。
\"Splendid！\"criedKate。
\"Welldone，byJove！\"exclaimedthelieutenant，whowashimselfanexpertwiththepaddle。
\"Isupposeyouhavenoideahowfineyoulook，\"criedKate。
\"AndIamquitesure，\"answeredHarry，\"youhavenosuspicionofwhatabeautifulpictureyouallmake。\"Andabeautifulpictureitwas：thegreatrockycliffinthebackground，trickedoutinitsnewspringgreenofmossandshrubandtree；thegrassyplotatitsfootwherealittlestreamgurgledoutfromtherock；theblazingcamp-firewiththelittlegroupaboutit；andinfrontthesunlitriver。Howhappytheyallwere！Andhowreadytopleaseandtobepleased。EvenlittleMr。Simshadhischarm。Andatthemakingofthetea，whichKatehadtakeninchargewithRanaldsuperintending，whatfuntherewaswithburningoffingersandupsettingofkettles！Andthen，thetalkandthelaughteratthelieutenant\'sbrilliantjokes，andthechaffingofthe\"lumbermen\"overtheirvoraciousappetites！Itwasanhourofnever-to-be-forgottenpleasure。Theywereallchildrenagain，andwithchildren\'sheartswerehappyinchildhood\'ssimplejoys。Andwhynot？Therearenojoyspurerthanthoseoftheopenair；ofgrassandtreesfloodedwiththewarmlightandsweetscentsofthesoftspringtime。Toosoonitallcametoanend，andthentheysetofftoconvoythestatelyoldladytohercarriageatthetopofthecliff。FarinfrontwentKate，disdainingtheassistanceofHarryandMr。Sims，whoescortedher。NearathandthelieutenantwasinattendanceuponMaimie，whoseemedtoneedhisconstantassistance；forthewaywasrough，andthereweresomanyjuttingpointsofrockforwonderfulviews，andoftentheveryprettiestplantswerejustoutofreach。LastofallcameMadameDeLacy，climbingthesteeppathwithdifficultyandholdingfasttoRanald\'sarm。Withcharminggraceshediscoursedofthebravedaysofoldinwhichherancestorshadplayedaworthypart。Aninterestingtaleitwas，butinspiteofallhercharmofspeech，andgraceofmanner，Ranaldcouldnotkeephismindfromfollowinghisheartandeyesthatnotedeverystepandmoveofthebeautifulgirl，flittinginandoutamongthetreesbeforethem。Andwellitwasthathiseyeswerefollowingsoclose；for，asshewasreachingforadaintysprayofgoldenbirch，holdingbythelieutenant\'shand，thetreacherousmossslippedfromunderMaimie\'sfeet，andwithapiercingshriekshewentrollingdowntheslopingmountain-side，draggingherescortwithher。LikeaflashoflightRanalddroppedmadame\'sarm，andseizingthetopofatallbirchthatgrewupfromthelowerledge，withatricklearnedasaboyintheGlengarrywoods，heswunghimselfclearovertheedge，anddroppinglightlyonthemossybankbelow，threwhimselfinfrontoftherollingbodies，andseizingthemheldfast。Inanothermomentleavingthelieutenanttoshiftforhimself，RanaldwasonhiskneesbesideMaimie，wholayuponthemoss，whiteandstill。\"Somewater，forGod\'ssake！\"hecried，hoarsely，toDeLacy，whostooddazedbesidehim，andthen，beforethelieutenantcouldmove，RanaldliftedMaimieinhisarms，asifshehadbeenaninfant，andboreherdowntotheriver\'sedge，andlaidheronthegrassybank。Then，takingupadoublehandfulofwater，hedasheditinherface。Withalittlesighsheopenedhereyes，andlettingthemrestuponhisface，said，gently，\"Oh，Ranald，Iamsogladyou——IamsosorryI
havebeensobadtoyou。\"Shecouldsaynomore，butfromherclosedeyestwogreattearsmadetheirwaydownherpalecheeks。
\"Oh，Maimie，Maimie，\"saidRanald，inabrokenvoice，\"tellmeyouarenothurt。\"
Againsheopenedhereyesandsaid，\"No，Iamnothurt，butyouwilltakemehome；youwillnotleaveme！\"Herfingerscloseduponhishand。
Withaquick，strongclasp，hereplied：\"Iwillnotleaveyou。\"
Inafewminutesshewasabletositup，andsoontheywereallabouther，exclaimingandlamenting。
\"WhatasillygirlIam，\"shesaid，withalittletremulouslaugh，\"andwhatafrightImusthavegivenyouall！\"
\"Don\'trise，mydear，\"saidMadameDeLacy，\"untilyoufeelquitestrong。\"
\"Oh，Iamquiteright，\"saidMaimie，confidently；\"IamsureIamnothurtintheleast。\"
\"Oh，Iamsothankful！\"criedKate。
\"ItistheLord\'smercy，\"saidRanald，inavoiceofdeepemotion。
\"Areyouquitesureyouarenothurt？\"saidHarry，anxiously。
\"Yes，IreallythinkIamallright，butwhatafrightImustlook！\"
\"ThankGod！\"saidHarryfervently；\"Iguessyou\'reimproving，\"atwhichtheyalllaughed。
\"NowIthinkwemustgethome，\"saidMadameDeLacy。\"Doyouthinkyoucanwalk，Maimie？\"
\"Oh，yes，\"criedMaimie，andtakingRanald\'shand，shetriedtostandup，butimmediatelysankbackwithagroan。
\"Oh，itismyfoot，\"shesaid，\"Iamafraiditishurt。\"
\"Letmesee！\"criedHarry。\"Idon\'tthinkitisbroken，\"hesaid，afterfeelingitcarefully，\"butIhavenodoubtitisaverybadsprain。Youcan\'twalkforcertain。\"
\"Thenweshallhavetocarryher，\"saidMadameDeLacy，andsheturnedtoherson。
\"IfearIcanoffernoassistance，\"saidthelieutenant，pointingtohisarmwhichwashanginglimpathisside。
\"Why，Albert，areyouhurt？Whatisthematter？Youarehurt！\"
criedhismother，anxiously。