The Holly chieftain., 1901-03-15

amount of stiffness. He had undoubt-
edIy sought his young wife and won
her for her wealth: but, apart from
that fact. he was determined to make
her loyal and devoted husband. Al
ready 1t hurt him that money and The
sacred name of wife should be roughly
bracketed together.
And did you know my wife, then,
as Miss Fairweather?" Gervis asked,
after silence. while the two stood and
surveyed the limitless expanse of
white waste around them. with its
boundaries of forest-covered, bear-in-
tested hills.
mo; never saw her until last night
IN the car. She Is very young, and
seems to be high-strung nature. Is
that so?" Paul waited for an an
swer. ..
Il think she is" Gervis slightly
hesitated. In truth, though he would
not have confessed it, Gladys nature
was as yet an unknown country to
him.
Very imaginative. and given to al
ternate fits Of depression and gaiety?"
Paul went on. Then he hastily added:
II ask your pardon. You see, 1t is part
OF my trade to anaylze human charac-
ter. l am always doing it-sometimes
unconsciously. dare say you think
me an ill-conditioned Goth, and hard
ly venture to request an introduction
to Mrs Templeton."
Paul Ansdel1 turned his face toward
Gervis. and there was new express
sion in 1t. The old sneer had died out,
or had been smoothed carefully away.
His dark, deep eyes looked straight
into the Englishman's face, and there
was certain wistfulness in them.
Il have made up my mind already
Sbout you-we all have" quickly said
honest Gervis, holding out his hand in
ell simplicity to the other. We owe
bur lives to you, and each one of US
you'd esteem 1t an honor to call you
riend."
There was a hearty British ring in
be words that spoke for their genu-
keness
"You are very good" quietly observ-
ed the scientist. But the sneer had
come into his eyes once more, and he
turned the conversation abruptly to
the situation in which the trainful Of
human beings found themselves.
"If you had not been in such hurry
TO get back to England could have
pown you some pretty sport yonder."
lie pointed to the rocky Businesses in
he distance. The falling snow had
btopped. and overhead was a brilliant
blue. A stin wind had got up, howl
ing and swirling the snow into deep
drifts.
Bears, suppose?' said Gervis.
Just what I should have liked If
well, under other circumstances. I dare
say you could tell one some yarns
about the grizzlies yonder?"
Paul Andsell nodded briefly, and the
two men turned to retrace their steps
to the little prairie station.
do you live in Montreal, then? 10
it your homer"
"I have no home," was the brief re-
joinder. I suppose am what you
call cosmopolitan-one who makes
nest in every one Of the worlds great
cities. But here we are back at the
prairie station. The weather's clear
ing. so l suppose our people will start
on their way"
In the station and round the cars
there was q stir Of excitement, and
paIple were getting aboard the train.
There is my wife! She is standing
It the window OF the carl"
Gervis caught sight of little figure
In pale green and gold brocade tea
gown, trimmed with yellow lace.
I II was GLADLY, and her small pink
nod white face, with Its pointed chin,
was now bent toward them as she gag
ed downward at the two men.
She was waving little white hand
In welcome to her husband; but when
she caught sight Of his companion her
face planched, and she shrank back
from the window. at which Paul Ans
dell frowned at once. Two minutes
later, however. he was bowling before
her " Gervis introduced him.
I'VE had q jolly good tramp. Glad
dy. Mr.. Ansdell and I. over the hard
snow. It has made me a. hungry as
possible. And, II it had not been for
your small ladyship. shouldn't have
come back. ia have gone after the
grizzlies in the mountain. yonder; but
warn you that next year shall come
back to pot 4 bear or two, and leave