Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1902-05-17


Far up among the pines we could see
the smoke Of the engine at the works
and so still and so clear was the noun
tain air that we could hear the puff of
the steam and from far down the river
the murmur of the rapids. The males
tic silence, the tender beauty, the
peace the loneliness, too, came steal
ing in upon US as we three, leaving
Mrs. Mavor behind us, marched arm
in arm down the street. We had not
gone far on our way when Graeme,
turning round, stood q moment looking
back, then waved his hand in farewell.
Mrs. MavOr was at her window, smil-
ing and waving in return. They had
grown to be great friends, these two.
and seemed to have arrived at some
understanding. Certainly Graeme's
manner to her was not that he bore to
other women. His half Quizzical, some
what superior, air of hooking devotion
gave place to simple, earnest, almost
tender, respect, very new to him, but
very winning.
AS he stood there waving his fare
we'll I glanced at his face and saw for
a moment what I had not seen for
years, 4 faint flush Oh Graeme's cheek
and light of simple, earnest faith in
his eyes. It reminded me of my first
look of him when he had come up for
his matriculation to the varsity. He
stood on the campus looking up at the
noble old pile, and there was the same
bright, trustfuI, earnest look on his
boyiSh face.
I know not what spirit possessed me
it may have been the pain Of the
memory working in me-but I said
c0arsely enough:
IT'S no use, Graeme, my boy. l
would fall in love with her myself, but
there would be no chance even for
me-"
The flush slowly darkened as he
turned and said deliberately:
''It's not like you, Conner, to be an
ass Of that peculiar kind. Love! Not
exactly! She won't fall in love IN
less And he stopped abruptly, with
his eyes upon Craig.
But Craig met him with unshrinking
gaze, quietly remarking, "Her heart is
under the pines" And we moved on,
each thinking his own thoughts and
guessing at the thoughts of the others.
We were on our way to Craig's
shack and as we passed the saloon
salutation. Graeme paused.
"Hello, Slavin! got rather the
worst Of it, didn't I?'
SiaVin came near and said earnestly:
"It was a dirty trick altogether.
You'll not think it was mine, Mr..
Graeme."
''No, no. Slavin. You stood up like a
man." said Graene cheerfuIly.
"And you beat me fair, and, bedad, it
was neat one that laid me out, and
there's no grudge in my heart till you"
GAIL right, Slavin. Well perhaps IN
derstand each other better after this"
"And that's true for you, sir, and I'll
see that your boys don't get any more
than they ask for" replied Slavin, |
backing away.
"And I hope that won't be much"
put in Mr.. Craig, but SIavin only grin |
ned.
When we came back to Craig's |
shack, Graeme was glad to rest in the |
big chair.
Craig made him cup of tea, while I |
smoked, admiring much the deft neat
ness Of the minister's housekeeping |
and the gentle, almost motherly, way
be had with Graeme.
In our talk we drifted into the future,
md Craig let us see what were his am
0itionS. The railway was soon to come.
The resources were as yet unexplored,
}ut enough was known to assure a
great future for British Columbia. AS
re talked his enthusiasm grew and car
led us away. With the eye of gen
eral he surveyed the country, fixed the
strategic points which the church must
seize upon. Eight good men would hold
he country from Fort Steele to the
coast AMI from Kootenai to Caribou.
''The church must be in with the rail-
way. She must have a hand in the
shaping of the country. If society crys-
,all1ZeS WITHOUT QeF luuueuCe, lue COulA-
Try is lost, and British Columbia will
Re another trapdoor to the bottomless
pit"
what do you propose?" asked.
"Organizing little congregation here
n Black Rock"
"How many will you get?"
"Don't know"
"Pretty hopeless business" said.
Hopeless! Hopeless" he cried.
There were only twelve Of US at first
TO follow him, and rather a poor lot
they were. But he braced them up, anG
hey conquered the world
"But surely things are different" said
3raeme.
Things? Yes, yes. but he is the
same"
His face had an exalted look, and his
Eyes were gazing into faraway places.
"a dozen men in Black Rock, with
some real grip Of him, would make
Kings go. Wen get them, too," he
went on in growing excitement. II be-
ieve in my soul Wen get them"
T1nk horo Craio IF Won 0roo nizn