ButmeantimeIshouldliketogototheshantieswithyouthiswinter。\"
Andso，whentheMacdonaldgangwenttothewoodsthatwinter，Ranald，takinghisfather\'sax，wentwiththem。AndsocleverdidtheboyprovehimselfthatbythetimetheybroughtdowntheirraftinthespringtherewasnotamaninallthegangthatMacdonaldBhainwouldsoonerhaveathisbackinatightplacethanhisnephewRanald。And，indeed，thosemonthsinthewoodsmadeamanoutofthelong，lankyboy，sothat，onthefirstSabbathaftertheshantymencamehome，notmanyinthechurchthatdaywouldhaverecognizedthedark-faced，stalwartyouthhaditnotbeenthathesatinthepewbesideMacdonaldBhain。Itwaswithnosmalldifficultythattheminister\'swifecouldkeepherlittleboyquietinthebackseat，sofullofprideandjoywasheattheappearanceofhishero；butaftertheservicewasover，Hughiecouldbenolongerrestrained。Pushinghiswayeagerlythroughthecrowd，heseizeduponRanaldanddraggedhimtohismother。
\"Hereheis，mother！\"heexclaimed，toRanald\'sgreatconfusion，andtotheamusementofallabouthim。\"Isn\'thesplendid？\"
AndasRanaldgreetedMrs。Murraywithquiet，gravecourtesy，shefeltthathiswinterinthewoodsandontheriverhadforeverputbehindhimhisboyhood，andthathenceforthhewouldtakehisplaceamongthemen。Andlookingathisstrong，composed，graveface，shefeltthatthatplaceoughtnottobeanunworthyone。
CHAPTERXVII
LENOIR\'SNEWMASTER
Theshantymencamebackhometofindtherevivalstillgoingon。
Notahomebuthadfeltitsmightypower，andnotaman，woman，orevenchildbuthadcomemoreorlessunderitsinfluence。Indeed，souniversalwasthatpowerthatYankeewasheardtosay，\"Theboyswouldn\'tgoinswimmin\'withouttheirNewTestaments\"——notbutthatYankeewasinveryfullestsympathywiththemovement。Hewasregularinhisattendanceuponthemeetingsallthroughspringandsummer，buthiswholeprevioushistorymadeitdifficultforhimtofullyappreciatetheintensityanddepthofthereligiousfeelingthatwaseverywherethrobbingthroughthecommunity。
\"Don\'tseewhattheexcitement\'sfor，\"hesaidtoMacdonaldBhainonenightaftermeeting。\"SeemstometheAlmightyjustwantsafellertodotherightthingbyhisneighborandnotbetooindependent，butgo\'longkindo\'humblelikeandkeepclean。
Somethin\'wrongwithme，perhaps，butIdon\'tseemtobeabletoworkupnoexcitementaboutit。I\'dliketo，butsomehowitain\'tinme。\"
WhenMacdonaldBhainreportedthisdifficultyofYankee\'stoMrs。
Murray，sheonlysaid：\"\'WhatdoththeLordrequireofthee，buttodojustly，andtolovemercy，andtowalkhumblywiththyGod？\'\"
AndwiththisMacdonaldBhainwascontent，andwhenhetoldYankee，thelattercameasneartoexcitementasheeverallowedhimself。
Hechewedvigorouslyforafewmoments，then，slappinghisthigh，heexclaimed：\"Byjings！That\'sgreat。She\'sallright，ain\'tshe？Weain\'tallbuiltthesameway，butI\'mblamedifIdon\'tlikehermodel。\"
Buttheshantymennoticedthattherevivalhadsweptintothechurch，duringthewintermonths，agreatcompanyoftheyoungpeopleofthecongregation；andofthese，abandofsometenortwelveyoungmen，withDonamongthem，wereattendingdailyaspecialclasscarriedoninthevestryofthechurchforthosewhodesiredtoentertrainingfortheministry。
Mrs。MurrayurgedRanaldtojointhisclass，for，eventhoughhehadnointentionofbecomingaminister，stillthestudywouldbegoodforhim，andwouldhelphiminhisaftercareer。SherememberedhowRanaldhadtoldherthathehadnointentionofbeingafarmerorlumberman。AndRanaldgladlylistenedtoher，andthrewhimselfintohisstudy，usinghissparehourstosuchgoodpurposethroughoutthesummerthatheeasilykeptpacewiththeclassinEnglish，anddistancedtheminhisfavoritesubject，mathematics。
ButallthesemonthsMrs。MurrayfeltthatRanaldwascarryingwithhimaloadofunrest，andshewaitedforthetimewhenhewouldcometoher。Hisuncle，MacdonaldBhain，too，sharedheranxietyinregardtoRanald。
\"Heisthefine，steadylad，\"hesaidonenight，walkinghomewithherfromthechurch；\"andagoodwinter\'sworkhasheputbehindhim。Heisthatqueeck，thereisnotamanlikehimonthedrive；
butheisnotthesameboythathewas。Hewillnotbetellingmeanything，butwhentheboyswillbesporting，heisnotwiththem。
Hewillbereadinghisbook，orhewillbesittingbyhimselfalone。Heislikehisfatherinthecourageofhim。Thereisnokindofwaterhewillnotface，andnomanontheriverwouldputfearonhim。Andthestrengthofhim！Hisarmsarelikesteel。
But，\"returningtohisanxiety，\"thereissomethingwrongwithhim。
Heisnotatpeacewithhimself，andIwishyoucouldgetspeechwithhim。\"
\"Iwouldlikeit，too，\"repliedMrs。Murray。\"Perhapshewillcometome。Atanyrate，Imustwaitforthat。\"
Atlast，whenthesummerwasover，andtheharvestallgatheredin，thedayswereoncemoreshorteningforthefall，RanalddroveLisetteonedaytothemanse，andwentstraighttotheminister\'swifeandopeneduphismindtoher。
\"Icannotkeepmypromisetomyfather，Mrs。Murray，\"hesaid，goingatoncetotheheartofhistrouble。\"Icannotkeeptheangeroutofmyheart。Icannotforgivethemanthatkilledmyfather。Iwillbewakingatnightwiththeveryjoyoffeelingmyfingersonhisthroat，andIfeelmyselflongingforthedaywhenI
willmeethimfacetofaceandnothingbetweenus。But，\"headded，\"Ipromisedmyfather，andImustkeepmyword，andthatiswhatI
cannotdo，forthefeelingofforgivenessisnothere，\"smitinghisbreast。\"Icankeepmyhandsoffhim，butthefeelingIcannothelp。\"
ForalongtimeMrs。Murraylethimgoonwithoutseekingtocheckthehotflowofhiswordsandwithoutawordofreproof。Then，whenhehadtalkedhimselftosilence，shetookherBibleandreadtohimoftheservantwho，thoughforgiven，tookhisfellow-servantbythethroat，refusingtoforgive。Andthensheturnedovertheleavesandreadoncemore：\"\'Godcommendethhislovetowardus，inthat，whilewewereyetsinners，Christdiedforus。\'\"
Sheclosedthebookandsatsilent，waitingforRanaldtospeak。
\"Iknow，\"hesaid，deliberately；\"Ihavereadthatoftenthroughthewinter，butitdoesnothelpthefeelingIhave。Ithinkitonlymakesitworse。Thereissomeoneholdingmyarm，andIwanttostrike。\"
\"Anddoyouforget，\"saidMrs。Murray，andhervoicewasalmoststern，\"anddoyouforgethow，foryou，GodgaveHisSontodie？\"
Ranaldshookhishead。\"Iamfarfromforgettingthat。\"
\"AndareyouforgettingthegreatmercyofGodtoyourfather？\"
\"No，no，\"saidRanald；\"Ioftenthinkofthat。ButwhenIthinkofthatman，somethingstirswithinmeandIcannotsee，forthedazebeforemyeyes，andIknowthatsomedayIwillbeathim。I
cannothelpmyfeeling。\"
\"Ranald，\"saidMrs。Murray，\"haveyoueverthoughthowhewillneedGod\'smercylikeyourself？AndhaveyouneverthoughtthatperhapshehasneverhadthewayofGod\'smercyputbeforehim？ToyoutheLordhasgivenmuch，tohimlittle。ItisaterriblethingtobeungratefulforthemercyofGod；anditisashamefulthing。Itisunworthyofanytrueman。HowcananyonetakethefullnessofGod\'smercyandhispatienceeveryday，andholdanungratefulheart？\"
Shedidnotsparehim，andasRanaldsatandlistened，hislifeandcharacterbegantoappeartohimsmallandmeanandunworthy。
\"TheLordmeansyoutobeanobleman，Ranald——amanwiththeheartandpurposetodosomegoodintheworld，tobeablessingtohisfellows；anditisapoorthingtobesofilledupwithselfishnessastohavenothoughtofthehonorofGodorofthegoodofmen。
LouisLeNoirhasdoneyouagreatwrong，butwhatisthatwrongcomparedwiththewrongyouhavedonetoHimwholovedyoutoHisowndeath？\"
Thenshegavehimherlastword：\"WhenyouseeLouisLeNoir，thinkofGod\'smercy，andrememberyouaretodohimgoodandnotevil。\"
Andwiththatwordinhisheart，Ranaldwentaway，ashamedandhumbled，butnotforgiving。Thetimeforthathadnotyetcome。
Butbeforeheleftfortheshanties，hesawMrs。Murrayagaintosaygoodby。Hemetherwithashamedface，fearingthatshemustfeelnothingbutcontemptforhim。
\"Youwillthinkillofme，\"hesaid，andinspiteofhisself-
controlhisvoiceshook。\"Icouldnotbearthat。\"
\"No，Icouldneverthinkillofyou，Ranald，butIwouldbegrievedtothinkthatyoushouldfailofbecominganobleman，strongandbrave；strongenoughtoforgiveandbraveenoughtoserve。\"
OncemoreRanaldwenttothewoods，withearnestthoughtsinhismind，hopingheshouldnotmeetLeNoir，andfightingouthisbattletovictory；andbythetimethedrivehadreachedthebigwaternextspring，thatbattlewasalmostover。Thedaysinthesilentwoodsandthenightsspentwithhisuncleinthecamp，andafterwardinhiscabinontheraft，didtheirworkwithRanald。
ThetimbercutthatyearwasthelargestthathadeverbeenknownontheUpperOttawa。Therewasgreatcrowdingofraftsonthedrive，andforweeksthechuteswerefull，andwhentheraftswereallbroughttogetheratQuebec，notonlyweretheshoreslinedandTimberCovepacked，butthebroadriverwasfullfromQuebectoLevis，exceptforthesteamboatwaywhichmustbekeptopen。
ForthefirmofRaymond&St。Clairthismeantenormousincreaseofbusiness，anditwasnosmallannoyancethatatthiscrisistheyshouldhavedetectedtheirQuebecagentinfraud，andshouldhavebeenforcedtodismisshim。ThesituationwassocriticalthatMr。
St。Clairhimself，withHarryashisclerk，founditnecessarytospendamonthinQuebec。HetookwithhimMaimieandhergreatfriendKateRaymond，thedaughterofhispartner，andestablishedhimselfintheHotelChevalBlanc。
Onthewhole，MaimiewasnotsorrytovisittheancientcapitalofCanada，thoughshewouldhavechosenanothertime。ItwasratherdisappointingtoleaveherowncityintheWest，justatthebeginningofthespringgayeties。Itwasherfirstseason，andthewinterhadbeendistinguishedbyaseriesofsocialtriumphs。Shewasthetoastofalltheclubsandthebelleofalltheballs。Shehaddevelopedarareandfascinatingbeauty，andhadacquiredanairsodistinguethatevenheraunt，MissSt。Clair，wascompletelysatisfied。Itwasalittlehardforhertoleavethesceneofhertriumphsandtoabandontheapproachinggayeties。
ButQuebechaditscompensations，andthenthereweretheDeLacys，oneoftheoldestEnglishfamiliesofQuebec。TheSt。Clairshadknownthemformanyyears。Theirbloodwasunquestionablyblue，theywerewealthy，andbesides，theonlysonandrepresentativeofthefamilywasnowlieutenant，attachedtothegarrisonattheCitadel。LieutenantDeLacysuggestedpossibilitiestoMaimie。
Quebecmightbeendurableforamonth。
\"Whatalovelyview，andhowpicturesque！\"
Maimiewasstandingatthewindowlookingdownupontheriverwithitsfleetofrafts。BesideherstoodKate，andatanotherwindowHarry。
\"Whatalotoftimber！\"saidHarry。\"Andthetownisjustfulloflumbermen。Afellowsaidtheremustbesixthousandofthem，sotherewillbelotsoffun。\"
\"Fun！\"exclaimedKate。
\"Fun！rather。Thesefellowshavebeenupinthewoodsforsomefiveorsixmonths，andwhentheygettotownwherethereiswhiskyand——and——thatsortofthing，theyjustgetwild。Theysayitisawful。\"
\"Justhorrible！\"saidMaimie，inadisgustedtone。
\"Butsplendid，\"saidKate；\"thatis，iftheydon\'thurtanyone。\"
\"Hurtanybody！\"exclaimedHarry。\"Oh，notatall；theyarealwaysextremelycarefulnottohurtanyone。Theyareasgentleaslambs。Isay，letusgodowntotheriverandlookattherafts。
DeLacywascomingup，butitistoolatenowforhim。Besides，wemightrunacrossMaimie\'smanfromGlengarry。\"
\"Maimie\'smanfromGlengarry！\"exclaimedKate。\"Hassheamanthere，too？\"
\"Nonsense，Kate！\"saidMaimie，blushing。\"HeistalkingaboutRanald，youknow。OneofAuntMurray\'syoungmen，upinGlengarry。
Youhaveheardmespeakofhimoften。\"
\"Oh，theboythatpulledyououtofthefire，\"saidKate。
\"Yes，\"criedHarry，strikinganattitude，\"andtheboythatforloveofherenteredthelists，andinafistictournamentupheldherfairname，and——\"
\"Oh，Harry，dohavesomesense！\"saidMaimie，impatiently。\"Hush，herecomessomeone；LieutenantDeLacy，Isuppose。\"
Itwasthelieutenant，handsome，tall，wellmade，withahigh-bredifsomewhatdissipatedface，anairofblaseindifferencealittleoverdone，andanaccentwhichhehadbroughtbackwithhimfromOxford，andwhichhewasanxiousnottolose。Indeed，thebarethoughtofthepossibilityofhisdroppingintotheflat，semi-
nasalofhisnativelandfilledthelieutenantwithunspeakablehorror。
\"Wewerejustgoingdowntotheriver，\"saidMaimie，aftertheintroductionswereover，\"butIsupposeitisalloldtoyou，andyouwouldnotcaretogo？\"
\"Aw，charmed，I\'msure。\"Thelieutenantpronouncedit\"shuah。\"
\"Butitisrathaw，don\'tyouknow，notexactlyclean。\"
\"Heisthinkingofhisboots，\"saidHarry，scornfully，lookingdownatthelieutenant\'sshiningpatentleathers。
\"Really，\"saidthelieutenant，mildly，\"awfullydirtystreet，though。\"
\"Butwewanttoseetheshantymen，\"saidKate，frankly。
\"Oh，themen！Veryproper，butnotsoverydiscriminating，youknow。\"
\"Ilovetheshantymen，\"exclaimedKate，enthusiastically。\"Maimietoldmeallaboutthem。\"
\"ByJove！I\'lljointo-morrow，\"exclaimedthelieutenantwithgentleexcitement。
\"Theywouldnothaveyou，\"answeredKate。\"Besides，youwouldhavetoeatporkandonionsandthings。\"
Thelieutenantshuddered，gazingreproachfullyatKate。
\"Onions！\"hegasped；\"andyoulovethem？\"
\"Letusgoalong，then，\"saidHarry。\"Wewillhavealookatthem，anyway。\"
\"Fromthewindwardside，Ihope，\"saidthelieutenant，gently。
\"Iamgoingrightontheraft，\"declaredKate，stoutly，\"ifwecanonlyfindRanald。\"
\"Meaningwho，exactly？\"questionedDeLacy。
\"AlumbermanwhomMaimieadores。\"
\"Howhappy！\"saidDeLacy。
\"Nonsense，LieutenantDeLacy，\"saidMaimie，impatientlyandalittlehaughtily；\"heisafriendofmyaunt\'supinthecountyofGlengarry。\"
\"Nononsenseaboutit，\"saidHarry，indignantthathissistershouldseemindifferenttoRanald。\"Heisagreatfriendofusall；andyouwillsee——shewillflyintohisarms。\"
\"Heavenforbid！\"ejaculatedthelieutenant，muchshocked。
\"Harry，howcanyoubeso——？\"saidMaimie，muchannoyed。\"Whatwillthelieutenantthinkofme？\"
\"Ah，ifIonlymighttell！\"saidthelieutenant，lookingatherwithlanguishingeyes。ButalreadyKatewasdownstairsandonherwaytothestreet。
Astheynearedthelowertown，thenarrowstreetsbecamemoreandmorecrowdedwithmenintheshantymen\'spicturesquedress，andtheyhadsomedifficultyinmakingtheirwaythroughthejolly，jostlingcrowds。Astheywerenearingtheriver，theysawcomingalongthenarrowsidewalkaburlyFrench-Canadian，dressedinthegayestholidaygarboftheshantymen——redshirtandsash，corduroystuckedintoredtop-boots，alittleroundsofthatsetuponthebackofhisblackcurls，agorgeoussilkhandkerchiefaroundhisneck，andabiggoldwatch-chainwithsealsathisbelt。Hehadabold，handsomeface，andswaggeredalongthesidewalk，claimingitallwithanassurancefortifiedbywhiskyenoughtomakehimutterlyregardlessofanybuthisownrights。
\"Hello！\"heshouted，asheswaggeredalong。\"Makeway，I\'mdebossbullyondereeverHottawa。\"Itwashisdayofglory，anditevidentlypleasedhimmuchthatthepeoplestoodasidetolethimpass。Thenhebrokeintosong：——
\"Enroulantmabouleroulant，Enroulantmeboule。\"
\"This，Isuppose，isoneofyourbelovedshantymen，\"saidthelieutenant，turningtoKate，whowaswalkingwithHarrybehind。
\"Isn\'thelovely！\"exclaimedKate。
\"Oh，\"criedMaimie，interror，\"letusgetintoashop！\"
\"Quiteunnecessary，Iassureyou，\"saidthelieutenant，indifferently；\"Ihavenottheleastideathathewillmolestyou。\"
Thelumbermanbythistimehadswaggereduptotheparty，expectingthemtomakeway，butinstead，DeLacystiffenedhisshoulder，caughttheFrenchmaninthechest，androlledhimoffintothestreet。Surprisedandenraged，theFrenchmanturnedtodemolishthemanwhohaddaredtoinsultthe\"bossbullyondereeverHottawa。\"
\"Vousn\'avezpasremarquelademoiselle，\"saidthelieutenant，inatoneofpoliteness。
Thelumberman，whohadswaggeredupreadytostrike，glancedatMaimie，tookoffhishat，andmadeaceremoniousbow。
\"Ehbien！Non！Pardon，Mams\'elle。\"
\"Bonjour，\"saidLieutenantDeLacy，withamilitarysalute，andmovedon，leavingthelumbermanstaringafterthemasifhehadseenavision。
\"BeautyandtheBeast，\"murmuredthelieutenant。\"ThoughtIwasinforit，sure。Reallywonderful，don\'tyouknow！\"
\"Doyouthinkwehadbettergoon？\"saidMaimie，turningtoKateandHarry。
\"Whynot？Why，certainly！\"theyexclaimed。
\"Thesehorridmen，\"repliedMaimie。
\"Dearcreatures！\"saidthelieutenant，glancingatKatewithamildlypatheticlook。\"Sweet，butnotalwaysfragrant。\"
\"Oh，theywon\'thurtus。Letusgoon。\"
\"Certainly，goon，\"echoedHarry，impatiently。
\"Safeenough，MissSt。Clair，but，\"pullingouthisperfumedhandkerchief，\"rathertrying。\"
\"Oh，geton，DeLacy，\"criedHarry，andsotheymovedon。
TheofficeofRaymond&St。Clairstoodnearthewharves。Harrypausedatthedoor，notquitesurewhethertogoinornot。Itwaseasytodiscoverworkinthatoffice。
\"YoumightaskifRanaldhascome，\"saidKate。\"Maimieistooshy。\"
Harryreturnedinafewmoments，quiteexcited。
\"TheMacdonaldgangarein，andtheBigMacdonaldwasherenothalfanhourago，andRanaldisdownattheraftbeyondthelastwharf。
Iknowtheplace。\"
\"Oh，doletusgoon！\"criedKate，towhomHarryhadbeenextollingRanaldonthewaydown。\"Youreallyoughttoinspectyourtimber，Harry，shouldn\'tyou？\"
\"Mostcertainly，andrightaway。Nosayingwhatmighthappen。\"
\"Awfulslush，\"saidthelieutenant，glancingatMaimie\'sface。\"Doyouthinkthetimberwouldn\'tkeepforaweek？\"
\"Oh，rubbish！Aweek！\"criedHarry。\"Heisthinkingofhisbootsagain。\"
Tobequitefairtothelieutenant，itwasMaimie\'sdoubtfulface，ratherthanhisshinyboots，thatmadehimhesitate。Shewasevidentlynervousandembarrassed。Thegay，easymannerwhichwasherhabitwasgone。
\"Ithinkperhapswehadbettergo，sincewearehere，\"shesaid，doubtfully。
\"Exactly；itiswhatImostdesired，\"saidthelieutenant，gallantly。
Scoresofraftslaymooredalongthewharvesandshore，andhundredoflumbermenweretobeseeneverywhere，notonlyonthetimberandwharves，butcrowdingthestreetsandthedoorsofthelittlesaloons。
Forhalfanhourtheywalkedalong，watchingthemenatworkwiththetimberontheriver。Somewereloadingthevesselslyingatanchor，somewereshiftingtheloosetimberabout。Whentheyreachedtheendofthelastwharf，theysawastrappingyounglumberman，inashantycostumethatshowedsignsofthewoods，runningsomeloosesticksoftimberroundtheendoftheraft。
Withgreatskillhewashandlinghispike，walkingthebigsticksandrunninglightlyoverthetimbertoosmalltocarryhim，balancinghimselfonasinglestickwhilehemovedthetimbertothebitofopenwaterbehindtheraft，andallwithagraceanddexteritythatexcitedKate\'sadmirationtothehighestdegree。
\"Ratherclever，that，\"saidthelieutenant，lazily。\"Hello！closecall，that；ha！bravo！\"Itwasnotoftenthelieutenantallowedhimselftheluxuryofexcitement，butthelumbermanrunninghistimberslippedhispikepoleandfoundhimselfbalancingontheedgeofopenwater。Withamightyspringheclearedtheopenspace，touchedapieceofsmalltimberthatsankunderhim，andatthenextspringlandedsafeontheraft。Maimie\'sscreamsoundedwiththelieutenant\'s\"bravo。\"Atthecrytheyoungfellowlookedup。ItwasRanald。
\"Hello，there！\"criedHarry；andwithanansweringshout，Ranald，usinghispikeasajumping-pole，clearedtheopenspace，ranlightlyoverthefloatingsticks，andwithanotherspringreachedtheshore。Withoutamoment\'shesitationhedroppedhispoleandcamealmostrunningtowardthem，hisfaceradiantwithdelight。
\"Maimie！\"heexclaimed，holdingouthishand，wetandnonetooclean。
\"Howdoyoudo？\"saidMaimie。Shehadnoticedthelookofsurpriseandmilddisgustonthelieutenant\'sface，andshewasembarrassed。
Ranaldwascertainlynotlovelytolookat。Hisshirtwasopenattheneck，torn，anddirty。Histrousersandbootsweremuchtheworseoftheirstrugglewiththebush。
\"ThisisMr。Macdonald，LieutenantDeLacy，\"Maimiehurriedtosay。
Thelieutenantofferedalimphand。
\"Chawmed，I\'msuah，\"hemurmured。
\"What？\"saidRanald。
\"Lovelyweather，\"murmuredthelieutenantagain，lookingathisfingersthatRanaldhadjustletgo。
\"Well，oldchap，\"saidHarry，graspingRanald\'shandandthrowinghisarmabouthisshoulder，\"Iamawfullygladtofindyou。Wehavebeenhuntingyouforhalfanhour。Butholdup，hereyouare。
LetmeintroduceyoutoMissKateRaymond，thebestgirlanywhere。\"
Katecameforwardwithafranksmile。\"Iamverygladtomeetyou，\"shesaid。\"Ihaveheardsomuchaboutyou，andIamgoingtocallyouRanald，astheyalldo。\"
\"Howlovely！\"sighedDeLacy。
HergreetingwarmedRanald\'sheartthatsomehowhadbeenchilledinthemeeting。Somethingwaswrong。Wasitthisfopofasoldier，orhadMaimiechanged？Ranaldglancedatherface。No，shewasthesame，onlymorebeautifulthanhehaddreamed。
Butwhileshewasshakinghandswithhim，thereflashedacrosshismindthememoryofthefirsttimehehadseenher，andthelookofamusementuponherfacethen，thathadgivenhimsuchdeadlyoffense。Therewasnoamusementnow，buttherewasembarrassmentandsomethingelse。Ranaldcouldnotdefineit，butitchilledhisheart，andatoncehebegantofeelhowbadlydressedhewas。Thetornshirt，theraggedtrousers，andtheold，unshapelybootsthathehadnevergivenathoughttobefore，nowseemedtoburnintohisflesh。Unconsciouslyhebackedawayandturnedtogo。
\"Whereareyouoffto？\"criedHarry；\"doyouthinkwearegoingtoletyougonow？Wehadhardenoughworkfindingyou。Comeuptotheofficeandseethegovernor。Hewantstoseeyoubadly。\"
Ranaldglancedatthelieutenant，immaculateexceptwheretheslushhadspeckledhisshinyboots，andthenathisownraggedattire。
\"IthinkIwillnotgoupnow，\"hesaid。
\"Well，comeupsoon，\"saidMaimie，evidentlyrelieved。
\"No！\"saidKate，impetuously，\"comerightalongnow。\"Asshespokesherangedherselfbesidehim。
ForamomentortwoRanaldhesitated，shotasearchingglanceatMaimie\'sface，andthen，witharecklesslaugh，said，\"Iwillgonow，\"andsetoffforthwith，Kateproudlymarchingatoneside，andHarryontheother，leavingMaimieandthelieutenanttofollowafter。
AndagoodthingitwasforRanaldthathedidgothatdaywithHarrytohis\"governor\'s\"office。Theyfoundtheofficeina\"swither，\"asHarrysaid，overtherevelationsoffraudthatwerecomingtolighteveryday——book-keeper，clerk，andtimber-checkerhavingallbeeninconspiracytodefraudthecompany。
\"Wherehaveyoubeen，Harry？\"saidhisfatherinanannoyedtoneashissonenteredtheoffice。\"Youdon\'tseemtorealizehowmuchthereistodojustnow。\"
\"LookingupRanald，father，\"saidHarry，cheerfully。
\"Ah，theyoungmanfromGlengarry？\"saidMr。St。Clair，rising。\"I
amgladtoknowyou，andtothankyouinpersonforyourpromptcourageinsavingmydaughter。\"
\"Luckydog！\"groanedthelieutenant，inanundertonetoMaimie。
Mr。St。ClairspoketoRanaldofhisfatherandhisuncleinwordsofhighestappreciation，andasRanaldlistened，therecklessandhardlookwhichhadbeengatheringeversincehismeetingwithMaimiepassedaway，andhisfacebecameearnestandtouchedwithatenderpride。
\"Ihearaboutyoufrequentlyfrommysister，Mr。Macdonald——orshallIsayRanald？\"saidMr。St。Clair，kindly。\"Sheapparentlythinkssomethingofyou\"
\"Iamproudtothinkso，\"repliedRanald，hisfacelightingupashespoke；\"buteveryonelovesher。Sheisawonderfulwoman，andgood。\"
\"Yes，\"saidMr。St。Clair，\"that\'sit；wonderfulandgood。\"
ThenMaimiedrewnearer。\"Howisauntie？\"shesaid。\"Whatashamenottohaveaskedbefore！\"
\"Shewasverywelllastfall，\"saidRanald，lookingkeenlyintoMaimie\'sface；\"butsheisworkingtoohardatthemeetings。\"
\"Meetings！\"exclaimedHarry。
\"Aye，forayearandmoreshehasbeenatthemeverynighttilllate。\"
\"Atmeetingsforayear！Whatmeetings？\"criedHarry，astonished。
\"Oh，Harry，youknowaboutthegreatrevivalgoingonquitewell，\"
saidMaimie。
\"Oh，yes。Iforgot。Whatashame！Whatistheuseofherkillingherselfthatway？\"
\"Thereismuchuse，\"saidRanald，gravely。\"Theyaremakingbadmengood，andthewholecountrysideisnew，andsheistheheartofitall。\"
\"Ihavenodoubtaboutthat，\"saidMr。St。Clair。\"Shewillbetheheadandheartandhandsandfeet。\"
\"You\'rejustright，governor，\"saidHarry，warmly。\"ThereisnowomanlivinglikeAuntMurray。\"
Therewassilenceforafewmoments。ThenMr。St。Clairsaidsuddenly：\"Weareinanawfulfixhere。Notamantobefoundthatwecandependuponforbook-keeper，clerk，orchecker。\"
Harrycoughedslightly。
\"Oh，ofcourse，Harryisanexcellentbook-keeper，\"Harrybowedlow；\"whileheisatit，\"addedMr。St。Clair。
\"Veryneatone，\"murmuredthelieutenant。
\"Now，father，donotspoilafinecomplimentinthatway，\"criedHarry。
\"Butnowthecheckerisgone，\"saidMr。St。Clair，\"andthatisextremelyawkward。\"
\"Isay，\"criedHarry，\"whatwillyougivemeforacheckerrightnow？\"
Mr。St。Clairlookedathimandthenatthelieutenant。
\"Pardonme，Mr。St。Clair，\"saidthatgentleman，holdinguphishand。\"IusedtocheckalittleatRugby，but——\"
\"Notyou，byalonghand，\"interruptedHarry，disdainfully。
\"Thisawfullycharmingbrotherofyours，soveryfrank，don\'tyouknow！\"saidthelieutenant，softly，toMaimie，whiletheyalllaughed。
\"Buthereisyourman，governor，\"saidHarry，layinghishandonRanald。
\"Ranald！\"exclaimedMr。St。Clair。\"Why，theveryman！Youunderstandtimber，andyouarehonest。\"
\"Iwillanswerforbothwithmyhead，\"saidHarry。
\"Whatdoyousay，Ranald？\"saidMr。St。Clair。\"Willyoutakeadaytothinkitover？\"
\"No，\"saidRanald；\"Iwillbeyourchecker。\"AndsoRanaldbecamepartofthefirmofRaymond&St。Clair。
\"Comealong，Ranald，\"saidHarry。\"Wewilltakethegirlshome，andthencomebacktotheoffice。\"
\"Yes，docome，\"saidKate，heartily。Maimiesaidnothing。
\"No，\"saidRanald；\"Iwillgobacktotheraftfirst，andthencometotheoffice。ShallIbegintonight？\"hesaidtoMr。St。Clair。
\"To-morrowmorningwilldo，Ranald，\"saidMr。St。Clair。\"Comeuptothehotelandseeustonight。\"ButRanaldsaidnothing。ThenMaimiewentuptohim。
\"Goodby，justnow，\"shesaid，smilingintohisface。\"Youwillcomeandseeusto-night，perhaps？\"
Ranaldlookedather，whilethebloodmountedslowlyintohisdarkcheek，andsaid：\"Yes，Iwillcome。\"
\"What\'sthematterwithyou，Maimie？\"saidHarry，indignantly，whentheyhadgotoutside。\"YouwouldthinkRanaldwasastranger，thewayyoutreathim。\"
\"Andheisjustsplendid！IwishhehadpulledMEoutofthefire，\"criedKate。
\"Youmighttrytheriver，\"saidthelieutenant。\"Ifancyhewouldgoin。Looksthatsort。\"
\"Goin？\"criedHarry，\"hewouldgoanywhere。\"Thelieutenantmadenoreply。Heevidentlyconsideredthatitwashardlyworththeefforttointeresthimselfintheyounglumberman，butbeforehewasmanyhoursolderhefoundreasontochangehismind。
Aftertakingtheyoungladiestotheirhoteltherewasstillanhourtillthelieutenant\'sdinner，so，havingresolvedtocultivatetheSt。Clairfamily，heproposedaccompanyingHarrybacktotheoffice。
Astheyapproachedthelowerportionofthetowntheyheardwildshouts，andsaunteringdownasidestreet，theycameupontheirFrench-Canadianfriendoftheafternoon。Hewasstandingwithhisbackagainstawalltryingtobeatoffthreeorfourmen，whoweresavagelystrikingandkickingathim，andcryingthewhile：
\"Gatineau！Gatineau！\"
ItwastheGatineauagainsttheOttawa。
\"Ourfriendseemstohavefoundtheobjectofhissearch，\"saidthelieutenant，ashestoodacrossthestreetlookingatthemelee。
\"Isay，he\'sagoodone，isn\'the？\"criedHarry，admiringtheOttawa\'sdauntlesscourageandhisfightingskill。
\"Hiseagernessforwarwillprobablybegratifiedinafewminutes，bythelookofthings，\"repliedthelieutenant。
TheGatineauswerecrowdingaround，andhadevidentlymadeuptheirmindstobringtheOttawachampiontothedust。Thattheywerenumberstoonematterednotatall。Therewaslittlechivalryinashantymen\'sfight。
\"Ha！Ratheragoodone，that，\"exclaimedthelieutenant，mildlyinterested。\"Heputthatchapoutsomewhatneatly。\"Helitacigarandstoodcoollywatchingthefight。
\"WherearetheOttawas——thefellow\'sfriends？\"saidHarry，muchexcited。
\"Iratherthinktheycamponanotherstreetfurtherdown。\"
TheOttawachampionwasbeingsorelypressed，anditlookedasifinamomentortwomorehewouldbedown。
\"Whatashame！\"criedHarry。
\"Well，\"saidthelieutenant，languidly，\"it\'sbeastlydirty，butthechap\'sdoneratherwell，soheregoes。\"
Smokinghiscigar，andfollowedbyHarry，hepushedacrossthestreettothecrowd，andgotrightuptothefighters。
\"Here，youfellows，\"hecalledout，inahigh，clearvoice，\"whatthedeucedoyoumean，kickingupsucharow？Comenow，stop，andgetoutofhere。\"
Theastonishedcrowdstoppedfightingandfellbackalittle。Thecalm，clearvoiceofcommandandhermajesty\'suniformawedthem。
\"Moncamarade！\"saidthelieutenant，removinghiscigarandsaluting，\"ratherwarm，eh？\"
\"Youbet！Ver\'warmtam，\"wasthereply。
\"Bettergetaway，monami。Theoddsareratheragainstyou，\"saidthelieutenant。\"Yourfriendsaresomedistancedownthenextstreet。Youbettergoalong。\"Sosaying，hesteppedouttowardthecrowdofGatineauswhowereconsultingandyelling。
\"Excuseme，gentlemen，\"hesaid，politely，wavinghislittlecane。
Thoseimmediatelyinfrontgaveback，allowedthelieutenant，followedbytheOttawamanandHarry，topass，andimmediatelyclosedinbehind。TheymighthaveescapedhaditnotbeenthattheOttawamanfounditimpossibletorefrainfromhurlingtauntsatthemandinvitingthemtobattle。Theyhadgonenotmorethantwoblockswhentherewasarushfrombehind，andbeforetheycoulddefendthemselvestheywereeachinthemidstofacrowd，fightingfortheirlives。Theprincipalattackwas，ofcourse，madeupontheOttawaman，butthecrowdwasquitedeterminedtopreventthelieutenantandHarryfromgettingnearhim。InvaintheystruggledtobreakthroughtheyellingmassofGatineaus，whonowhadbecomenumerousenoughtofillthestreetfromwalltowall，andamongwhomcouldbeseensomefewoftheOttawamentryingtoforcetheirwaytowardtheirchampion。BydegreesbothHarryandDeLacyfoughttheirwaytothewall，andtowardeachother。
\"LooksasifourmanhadmethisWaterloo，\"saidthelieutenant，waitingforhisparticularmantocomeagain。
\"Whatalotofbeaststheyare！\"saidHarry，disgustedly，beatingoffhisenemy。
\"Hello！Heretheycomeagain。Weshallhavetotryanothershot，Isuppose，\"saidthelieutenant，asthecrowd，whichhadforafewmomentssurgeddownthestreet，nowcamecrushingback，withtheOttawaleader，andsomehalf-dozenofhisfollowersinthecenter。
\"Well，heregoes，\"saidDeLacy，leavingthewallandplungingintothecrowd，followedbyHarry。Astheyreachedthecenteravoicecalledout：\"AbaslesAnglais！\"
Andimmediatelythecry，afamiliarenoughoneinthosedays，wastakenuponallsides。Thecrowdstiffened，andtheattackuponthecenterbecamemoredeterminedthanever。Thelittlecompanyformedacircle，andstandingbacktoback，heldtheirgroundforatime。
\"Makeforthewall。Keeptogether，\"criedDeLacy，pushingouttowardtheside，andfollowedbyhiscompany。But，onebyone，theOttawaswerebeingdraggeddownandtrampledbeneaththe\"corked\"
bootsoftheirfoes，tillonlytwoofthem，withtheirleader，besideHarryandDeLacy，wereleft。
Atlengththewallwasgained。Theretheyfacedaboutandforatimeheldtheirlivessafe。Buteverymomentfreshmenrushedinuponthem，yellingtheircries，\"Gatineau！Gatineau！AbaslesAnglais！\"
TheOttawaleaderwaspantinghard，andhecouldnotmuchlongerholdhisown。Histwocompanionswereequallybadlyoff。Harrywaspaleandbleeding，butstillingoodheart。Thelieutenantwasunmarkedasyet，andcoollysmokinghiscigar，butheknewwellthatunlesshelparrivedtheircasewashopeless。
\"Wecan\'trun，\"heremarked，calmly，\"butadignifiedandspeedyretreatisinorderifitcanbeexecuted。Thereisashopalittledistancedownhere。Letusmakeforit。\"
ButassoonastheymovedtwomoreoftheOttawasweredraggeddownandtrampledon。
\"Itbeginstolookinteresting，\"saidthelieutenanttoHarry。
\"Sorryyouareintothis，oldchap。Itwasrathermyfault。Itissobeastlydirty，don\'tyouknow。\"
\"Oh，faultbehanged！\"criedHarry。\"It\'snobody\'sfault，butitlooksratherserious。Getback，youbrute！\"Sosaying，hecaughtaburlyFrenchmanunderthechinwithastraightleft-handerandhurledhimbackuponthecrowd。
\"Ah，ratherpretty，\"saidthelieutenant，mildly。\"Itisnotoftenyoucanjustcatchthemthatway。\"Theywerestillafewyardsfromtheshopdoor，buteverystepoftheiradvancehadtobefought。
\"Iverymuchfearwecan\'tmakeit，\"saidthelieutenant，quietlytoHarry。\"Wehadbetterbackupagainstthewallhereandfightitout。\"
Butashespoketheyheardasoundofshoutingdownthestreetalittleway，whichtheOttawaleaderatoncerecognized，andraisinghisvoicehecried：\"Hottawa！Hottawa！Hottawaamoi！\"
Swiftly，fiercely，camethebandofmen，sometwentyofthem，cleavingtheirwaythroughthecrowdlikeawedge。Attheirhead，andtallerthantheothers，foughttwomen，whosearmsworkedwiththesystematicprecisionofpiston-rods，andbeforewhommenfelloneitherhandasifstruckwithsledge-hammers。
\"Hottawaamoi！\"criedtheOttawachampionagain，andtherelievingpartyfacedinhisdirection。
\"Isay，\"saidthelieutenant，\"thatfirstmanisuncommonlylikeyourGlengarryfriend。\"
\"What，Ranald？\"criedHarry。\"Thenweareallright。Iswearitis，\"hesaid，afterafewmoments，andthen，rememberingthestoryofthegreatfightontheNation，whichhehadheardfromHughieandMaimie，heraisedtheMacdonaldwar-cry：\"Glengarry！
Glengarry！\"
Ranaldpausedandlookedabouthim。
\"Here，Ranald！\"yelledHarry，wavinghiswhitehandkerchief。ThenRanaldcaughtsightofhim。
\"Glengarry！\"hecried，andsprangfarintothecrowdinHarry\'sdirection。
\"Glengarry！Glengarryforever！\"echoedYankee——forheitwas——
plungingafterhisleader。
Swiftandsharplikethethrustofalance，theGlengarrymenpiercedthecrowd，whichgavebackoneitherside，andsoonreachedthegroupatthewall。
\"HowintheworlddidYOUgethere？\"criedRanaldtoHarry；then，lookingabouthim，cried：\"WhereisLeNware？IheardhewasbeingkilledbytheGatineaus，andIgotafewofourmenandcamealong。\"
\"LeNware？ThatisourCanadianfriend，Isuppose，\"saidthelieutenant。\"Hewashereawhileago。ByJove！Thereheis。\"
SurroundedbyacrowdoftheGatineaus，LeNoir，forhewastheleaderoftheOttawas，wasbeingbatteredaboutandliketobekilled。
\"Glengarry！\"criedRanald，andlikealionheleapeduponthem，followedbyYankeeandtheothers。Rightandlefthehurledthecrowdaside，andseizingLeNoir，broughthimouttohisownmen。
\"Whoareyou？\"gaspedLeNoir。\"Why，no，iteesnotpossible。Yes，itisYankeeforsure！AnddeMacdonaldgang，but——\"turningtoRanald——\"whoareYOU？\"hesaidagain。
\"Nevermind，\"saidRanald，shortly，\"letusgetawaynow，quick！
Goon，Yankee。\"
Atonce，withYankeeleading，theGlengarrymenmarchedoffthefieldofbattlebearingwiththemtherescuedparty。Therewasnotimetolose。Theenemyfaroutnumberedthem，andwouldsoonreturntotheattack。
\"Buthowdidyouknowwewereintrouble，Ranald？\"saidHarryashemarchedalong。
\"Ididn\'tknowanythingaboutyou，\"saidRanald。\"SomeonecameandsaidthatthebullyoftheOttawawasbeingkilled，soIcamealong。\"
\"Andjustintime，byJove！\"saidthelieutenant，arousedfromhislanguorforonce。\"Itwasadeucedlyluckything，andwelldone，too，\'ponmysoul。\"
Thatnight，asRanaldandhisunclewereintheircabinontherafttalkingovertheincidentsoftheday，andRanald\'splansforthesummer，amanstoodsuddenlyinthedoorway。
\"IamLouisLeNoir，\"hesaid，\"andIhavesomewordtosaytodeyoungMacdonald。Iamsorehere，\"hesaid，strikinghisbreast。
\"Icannotspikyourlanguige。Icannottell。\"Hestoppedshort，andthetearscamestreamingdownhisface。\"Icannottell，\"herepeated，hisbreastheavingwithmightysobs。\"Iwouldbegladtodie——tomak\'over——tonotmak\'——Icannotsaydeword——whatIdotoyourfadder。Iwouldgivemylife，\"hesaid，throwingoutbothhishands。\"Iwouldgivemylife。Icannotsaymore。\"
Ranaldstoodlookingathimforafewmomentsinsilencewhenhefinished；thenhesaidslowlyanddistinctly，\"Myfathertoldmetosaythatheforgaveyoueverything，andthatheprayedthemercyofGodforyou，and，\"addedRanald，moreslowly，\"I——forgive——you——
too。\"
TheFrenchmanlistenedinwonder，greatlymoved，buthecouldonlyreiteratehiswords：\"IcannotspikwhatIfeelhere。\"
\"Sitdown，Mr。LeNoir，\"saidMacdonaldBhain，gravely，pointingtoabench，\"andIwillbetellingyousomething。\"
LeNoirsatdownandwaited。
\"Doyouseethatyoungmanthere？\"saidMacdonaldBhain，pointingtoRanald。Heisthestrongestmaninmygang，andindeed，Iwillnotbeputtinghimbelowmyself。\"HereRanaldprotested。\"AndhehaslearnedtousehishandsasIcannot。AndofallthemenI
haveeverseensinceIwenttothewoods，thereisnotoneIcouldputagainsthim。Hecouldkillyou，Mr。LeNoir。\"
TheFrenchmannoddedhisheadandsaid：\"Dasso。Dasprettysure。\"
\"Yes，thatisverysure，\"saidMacdonaldBhain。\"Andhemadeavowtokillyou，\"wentonMacdonaldBhain，\"andto-nighthesavedyourlife。Doyouknowwhy？\"
\"No，notme。\"
\"ThenIwillbetellingyou。ItisthegraceofGod。\"
LeNoirstaredathim，andthenMacdonaldBhainwentontotellhimhowhisbrotherhadsufferedandstruggledlong，andhowtheminister\'swifehadcometohimwiththemessageoftheforgivenessofthegreatGod。AndthenhereadfromRanald\'sEnglishBiblethestoryoftheunforgivingdebtor，explainingitingraveandsimplespeech。
\"Thatwaswhy，\"heconcluded。\"Itwasbecausehewasforgiven，andonhisdyingbedhesentyouthewordofforgiveness。Andthat，too，istheveryreason，Ibelieve，whytheladherewenttoyourhelpthisday。\"
\"Ipromisedtheminister\'swifeIwoulddoyougoodandnotill，whenitcametome，\"saidRanald。\"ButIwasnotfeelingatalllikeforgivingyou。Iwasafraidtomeetyou。\"
\"Afraid？\"saidLeNoir，wonderingthatanyofthatgangshouldconfesstofear。
\"Yes，afraidofwhatIwoulddo。Butnow，tonight，itisgone，\"
saidRanald，simply，\"Ican\'ttellyouhow。\"
\"Dasmos\'surprise！\"exclaimedLeNoir。\"Necomprennepas。Ineverseelakdat，me！\"
\"Yes，itiswonderful，\"saidMacdonaldBhain。\"Itisverywonderful。
ItisthegraceofGod，\"hesaidagain。
\"Youmak\'degoodfrien\'witme？\"askedLeNoir，risingandputtinghishandouttoMacdonaldBhain。MacdonaldBhainrosefromhisplaceandsteppedtowardtheFrenchman，andtookhishand。
\"Yes，Iwillbefriendswithyou，\"hesaid，gravely，\"andIwillseekGod\'smercyforyou。\"
ThenLeNoirturnedtoRanald，andsaid；\"Willyoubefrien\'ofme？
Isittoomoche？\"
\"Yes，\"saidRanald，slowly，\"Iwillbeyourfriend，too。Itisalittlething，\"headded，unconsciouslyquotinghisfather\'swords。
ThenLeNoirturnedaroundtoMacdonaldBhain，andstrikinganattitude，exclaimed：\"See！Youbemyboss，Ibeyourman——whatyoucall——slave。Iworkfornoting，me。Dassure。\"
MacdonaldBhainshookhishead。
\"Youcouldnotbelongtous，\"hesaid，andexplainedtohimthetermsuponwhichtheMacdonaldmenwereengaged。LeNoirhadneverheardofsuchterms。
\"Younotdrinkwhisky？\"
\"Nottoomuch，\"saidMacdonaldBhain。
\"Howmanyglass？One，two，tree？\"
\"Idonotknow，\"saidMacdonaldBhain。\"Itdependsupontheman。
Hemustnottakemorethanisgoodforhim。\"
\"Bon！\"saidLeNoir，\"dasgood。Oneglasshemak\'mefeelgood。
Twodasnicehemak\'mefeelverfonny。Threeglassyesdasmak\'
medefrien\'ofheverybodie。Fourdasmak\'mefeelbig；Iwalkdebigwalk；Iamdebes\'manalldeplace。Dasgoodplaceforstop，eh？\"
\"No，\"saidMacdonaldBhain，gravely，\"youneedtostopbeforethat。\"
\"Ver\'good。Ver\'goodmestophimme。Youtak\'meonforyourman？\"
MacdonaldBhainhesitated。LeNoircamenearerhimandloweringhisvoicesaid：\"I\'mver\'badmanme。Ilaktoknowhowyoudodat——
whatyousay——forgive。Youshowmehow。\"
\"Cometomenextspring，\"saidMacdonaldBhain。
\"Bon！\"saidLeNoir。\"IbedereondeNationcamp。\"
Andsohewas。AndwhenMrs。MurrayheardofitfromMacdonaldBhainthatsummer，sheknewthatRanaldhadkepthiswordandhaddoneLeNoirgoodandnotevil。
CHAPTERXVIII
HEISNOTOFMYKIND
ThestoryoftheriotinwhichRanaldplayedsoimportantapartfilledthetownandstirredsocietytoitsinnermostcircles——thosecircles，namely，inwhichtheDeLacyslivedandmoved。ThewholetownbegantalkingoftheGlengarrymen，andespeciallyoftheiryoungleaderwhohad，withsuchsingularabilityandpluck，rescuedtheOttawaswithHarryandLieutenantDeLacy，fromtheirperilousposition。
ThegirlshadthestoryfromHarry\'slips，andinhistellingofit，Ranald\'scourageandskillcertainlylostnothing；buttoMaimie，whileitwaspleasantenoughforhertohearofRanald\'sprowess，andwhilesheenjoyedthereflectedglorythatcametoherashisfriend，thewholeincidentbecamealtogetherhatefulanddistressing。
Shefoundherselfsuddenlyfamousinhersocialworld；everyonewastalkingofher，buttoherhorror，wasconnectingRanald\'snamewithher\'sinamostsignificantway。Itwastooawful，andifherAuntFrancesshouldhearofit，theconsequenceswouldbequitetooterribleforhertoimagine。Shemuststopthetalkatonce。OfcourseshemeanttobekindtoRanald；hehaddonehergreatservice，andhewasherAuntMurray\'sfriend，andbesides，shelikedhim；howmuchshehardlycaredtosaytoherself。ShehadlikedhiminGlengarry。Therewasnodoubtofthat，butthatwastwoyearsago，andinGlengarryeverythingwasdifferent！Thereeveryonewasjustasgoodasanother，andthesepeoplewereallherAuntMurray\'sfriends。Heretherelationswerechanged。Shecouldnothelpfeelingthathowevernicehemightbe，andhowevermuchshemightlikehim，Ranaldwasnotofherworld。
\"Well，tellhimso；lethimseethat，\"saidKate，withwhomMaimiewasdiscussingherdifficulty。
\"Yes，andthenhewouldflyoffandI——wewouldneverseehimagain，\"saidMaimie。\"He\'sasproudas——anyone！\"
\"Strange，too，\"saidKate，\"whenhehasnomoneytospeakof！\"
\"YouknowIdon\'tmeanthat，andIdon\'tthinkit\'sveryniceofyou。Youhavenosympathywithme！\"
\"Inwhatway？\"
\"Well，inthisveryunpleasantaffair；everyoneistalkingaboutRanaldandme，asifI——asifwehadsomeunderstanding。\"
\"Andhaveyounot？Ithought——\"KatehesitatedtoremindMaimieofcertainconfidencesshehadreceivedtwoyearsagoafterherfriendhadreturnedfromGlengarry。
\"Oh，absurd——justagirlandboyaffair，\"saidMaimie，impatiently。
\"Thenthere\'snothingatall，\"saidKate，withasuspicionofeagernessinhervoice。
\"No，ofcoursenot——thatis，nothingreallyserious。\"
\"Serious？Youmeanyoudon\'tcareforhimatall？\"Katelookedstraightatherfriend。
\"Oh，youaresoawfullydirect。Idon\'tknow。Idocare；he\'sniceinmanyways，andhe\'s——Iknowhelikesmeand——Iwouldhatetowoundhim，butthenyouknowhe\'snotjustoneofus。YouknowwhatImean！\"
\"Notexactly，\"saidKate，quietly。\"Doyoumeanheisnoteducated？\"
\"Oh，no，Idon\'tmeaneducationaltogether。Howverytiresomeyouare！Hehasnoculture，andmanners，andthatsortofthing。\"
\"Ithinkhehasveryfinemanners。Heisalittlequaint，butyoucan\'tcallhimrude。\"
\"Oh，no，he\'sneverrude；ratherabrupt，butoh，dear，don\'tyouknow？WhatwouldAuntFranksaytohim？\"
Kate\'slipcurledalittle。\"I\'mverysureIcan\'tsay，butIcanimaginehowshewouldlook。\"
\"Well，that\'sit——\"
\"But，\"wentonKate，\"Icanimagine，too，howRanaldwouldlookbackatherifhecaughthermeaning。\"
\"Well，perhaps，\"saidMaimie，withalittlelaugh，\"andthat\'sjustit。Oh，Iwishhewere——\"
\"Alieutenant？\"suggestedKate。
\"Well，yes，Ido，\"saidMaimie，desperately。
\"Andifhewere，youwouldmarryhim，\"saidKate，ashadeofcontemptinhertonethatMaimiefailedtonotice。
\"Yes，Iwould。\"
Kateremainedsilent。
\"Therenow，youthinkIamhorrid，Iknow，\"saidMaimie。\"Isupposeyouwouldmarryhimifhewereamerenobody！\"
\"IfIlovedhim，\"saidKate，withslowdeliberation，andaslighttremorinhervoice，\"I\'dmarryhimifhewere——ashantyman！\"
\"Ibelieveyouwould，\"saidMaimie，withatouchofregretinhervoice；\"butthen，you\'venoAuntFrank！\"
\"ThankProvidence，\"repliedKate，underherbreath。
\"AndI\'msureIdon\'twanttooffendher。Justlistentothis。\"
Maimiepulledoutaletter，andturningoverthepages，foundtheplaceandbegantoread：\"\'IamsogladtohearthatyouareenjoyingyourstayinQuebec\'——um-um-um——\'fineoldcity\'——um-um-um——
\'gatesandstreets，\'\'olddays\'——um-um-um——\'noblecitadel，\'
\'gloriousview\'——um-um-um-um——\'finestintheworld\'——No，thatisn\'tit——Oh，yes，hereitis：\'TheDeLacysareaveryhighlyconnectedEnglishfamilyandveryoldfriendsofmyfriends，theLordArchers，withwhomIvisitedinEngland，youknow。Themotherisadearoldlady——sostatelyandsoveryparticular——withold-fashionedideasofbreedingandmanners，andofcourse，verywealthy。HerhouseinQuebecissaidtobethefinestintheProvince，andtherearesomeEnglishestates，Ibelieve，intheirline。LieutenantDeLacyisheronlyson，andfromwhatyousay，heseemstobeaverycharmingyoungman。Hewilloccupyaveryhighplacesomeday。IsupposeKatewill\'——um-um-um——\'Ohyes，andifMrs。DeLacywishesyoutovisitheryoumightaccept\'——um-um-um——\'andtellKatethatIshouldbedelightedifshecouldaccompanymeonalittlejauntthroughtheEasternStates。Ihaveaskedpermissionofherfather，butshewroteyouherselfaboutthat，didn\'tshe？——um-um-um——Andthenlistentothis！\'HowveryoddyoushouldhavecomeacrosstheyoungmanfromGlengarryagain——MacLennon，isit？Mac-something-or-other！
YourAuntMurrayseemstoconsiderhimaverysteadyandworthyyoungman。Ihopehemaynotdegenerateinhispresentcircumstancesandcalling，assomanyofhisclassdo。Iamgladyourfatherwasabletodosomethingforhim。Thesepeopleoughttobeencouraged。\'
Nowyousee！\"Maimie\'stonewasquitetriumphant。
\"Yes，\"saidKate！\"Idosee！Thesepeopleshouldbeencouragedtomakeourtimberforusthatwemayliveineaseandluxury，andeventosaveusfromfireandfromblood-thirstymobs，asoccasionsmayoffer，butasforfriendshipsandthatsortofthing——\"
\"Oh，Kate，\"burstinMaimie，almostintears，\"youaresoveryunkind。YouknowquitewellwhatImean。\"
\"Yes，Iknowquitewell；youwouldnotinviteRanald，forinstance，todineatyourhouse，tomeetyourAuntFrankandtheEvansesandtheLangfordsandtheMaitlands，\"saidKate，spacingherwordswithdeliberateindignation。
\"Well，Iwouldnot，ifyouputitinthatway，\"saidMaimie，petulantly，\"andyouwouldn\'teither！\"
\"IwouldaskhimtomeeteveryMaitlandofthemifIcould，\"saidKate，\"anditwouldn\'thurtthemeither。\"
\"Oh，youaresopeculiar，\"saidMaimie，withasighofpity。
\"AmI，\"saidKate；\"askHarry，\"shecontinued，asthatyoungmancameintotheroom。
\"No，youneedn\'tmind，\"saidMaimie；\"Iknowwellhewilljustsidewithyou。Healwaysdoes。\"
\"Howveryamiableofme，\"saidHarry；\"butwhat\'stheparticularissue？\"
\"Ranald，\"saidKate。
\"ThenIagreeatonce。Besides，heiscomingtosuppernextSundayevening！\"
\"Oh，Harry，\"exclaimedMaimie，indismay，\"onSundayevening？\"
\"Hecan\'tgetoffanyothernight；worksallnight，Ibelieve，andwouldworkallSunday，too，ifhisprinciplesdidn\'tmercifullyinterfere。Hewillbebossoftheconcernbeforesummerisover。\"
\"Oh，Harry，\"saidMaimie，indistress，\"andIaskedLieutenantDeLacyandhisfriend，Mr。Sims，forSundayevening——\"
\"Sims，\"criedHarry；\"littlecad！\"
\"I\'msurehe\'sverynice，\"saidMaimie，\"andhisfamily——\"
\"Oh，holdup；don\'tgetontoyourancestorworship，\"criedHarry，impatiently。\"Anyway，Ranald\'scomingupSundayevening。\"
\"Well，itwillbeveryawkward，\"saidMaimie。
\"Idon\'tseewhy，\"saidKate。
\"Oh，\"criedHarry，scornfully，\"hewillhaveonhisredflannelshirtandasilkhandkerchief，andhistrouserswillbeinhisboots；that\'swhatMaimieisthinkingof！\"
\"Youareveryrude，Harry，\"saidMaimie。\"YouknowquitewellthatRanaldwillnotenjoyhimselfwiththeothers。Hehasnothingincommonwiththem。\"
\"Oh，Iwouldn\'tworryaboutthatMaimie，\"saidKate；\"IwilltalktoRanald。\"ButMaimiewasnotquitesurehowsheshouldlikethat。
\"YouarejustyourAuntFrankoveragain，\"saidHarry，inadisgustedtone；\"clothesandpeople！\"
Maimiewasalmostintears。
\"Ithinkyouarebothveryunkind。YouknowRanaldwon\'tenjoyit。
Hewillbequitemiserable，and——they\'lljustlaughathim！\"
\"Well，they\'dbetterlaughathimwhenheisn\'tobserving，\"saidHarry。
\"DoyouthinkRanaldwouldreallymind？\"interposedKate，addressingHarry。\"Doyouthinkhewillfeelshyandawkward？Perhapswe\'dbetterhavehimanotherevening。\"
\"No，\"saidHarry，decidedly；\"heiscoming，andhe\'scomingonSundayevening。Hecan\'tgetoffanyothernight，andbesides，I\'dhavetolietohim，andhehasanunpleasantwayoffindingyououtwhenyouaredoingit，andoncehedoesfindoutwhyheisnotaskedforSundayevening，thenyoumaysaygoodbytohimforgoodandall。\"
\"Oh，nofearofthat，\"saidMaimie，confidently；\"Ranaldhasgoodsense，andIknowhewillcomeagain。\"
\"Well，\"criedHarry，\"ifyouarenotgoingtotreathimasyouwouldtreatDeLacyandthatidioticSims，Iwon\'tbringhim！\"Andwiththatheflungoutoftheroom。
ButHarrychangedhismind，fornextSundayeveningastheyoungladieswithDeLacyandhisfriendwereabouttositdowntosupperintheirprivateparlor，HarrywalkedinwithRanald，andannouncedintriumph：\"ThemanfromGlengarry！\"Maimielookedathimindismay，andindeedshewellmight，forRanaldwasdressedinhismostgorgeousshantyarray，withredflannelshirtandsilkhandkerchief，andtrouserstuckedintohisboots。Simsgazedathimasifhewereanapparition。ItwasKatewhofirstbrokethesilence。
\"Wearedelightedtoseeyou，\"shecried，goingforwardtoRanaldwithhandsoutstretched；\"youarebecomequiteaherointhistown。\"
\"Quite，Iassureyou，\"saidthelieutenant，inalanguidvoice，butshakingRanaldheartilybythehand。
ThenMaimiecameforwardandgreetedhimwithceremoniouspolitenessandintroducedhimtoMr。Sims，whocontinuedtogazeattheshantyman\'sattirewithamusedastonishment。
Thesupperwasnotasuccess；Ranaldsatsilentandsolemn，eatinglittleandsmilingnotatall，althoughMr。Simsexecutedhisverybestjokes。Maimiewasnervousandvisiblydistressed，andattheearliestpossiblemomentbrokeupthesupperpartyandengagedinconversationwiththelieutenantandhiswittyfriend，leavingHarryandKatetoentertainRanald。Butinspiteofalltheycoulddoasolemnsilencewouldnowandthenovertakethecompany，tillatlengthMaimiegrewdesperate，andturningtoRanald，said：
\"Whatareyouthinkingof？Youarelookingveryserious？\"
\"Heis\'thinkingofhomeandmother，\'\"quotedMr。Sims，inathin，pipingvoice，followinghisquotationwithasillygiggle。
Kateflushedindignantly。\"Iamquitesurehisthoughtswillbeartelling，\"shesaid。