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Updated: May 15, 2025
Somebody smote him on the shoulder, and he heard Alton's voice, "Get hold and hustle. We'll fetch Townshead's in an hour or so." It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
"You apparently did not find Vancouver enlivening," she said. Alton laughed a little. "I took one or two little worries along, and found another when I got there." Miss Deringham went on with her embroidery for a While, and then glanced at the man again. "I wonder if any of them were connected with the sale of Townshead's ranch?" she said. Alton smiled a little.
He also listened patiently to Townshead's views on ranching and the mining prospects of that region, though he was already looked up to as a master of the former industry, and contrived meanwhile that the girl made a good meal instead of attending to him.
Alton went out contented, having, so he fancied, somewhat skilfully obtained Townshead's address, and found Seaforth awaiting him. "They could, if I am an apt pupil, turn me out proficient for anything in three months," he said. Alton laughed. "They'll have to do it in less, and we'll find a use for all they've taught you by and by," he said.
"Is Harry Alton anywhere around, miss?" he said, and the girl noticed that his voice was uneven. "He may be here presently," she said. "I don't know where he is." "I've a long way to ride, and can't wait for him," said the man, swaying a little as he gathered up the bridle. "There seems to be nobody around the place, and when he comes you might tell him to go up to Townshead's as soon as he can.
It was half an hour before the former returned with a load of scented firewood upon his back, and, saying nothing, filled the box with it, packing each piece where it best fitted deliberately but swiftly; then he passed through the room into an adjoining one, and returned attired picturesquely in Jack Townshead's overalls, which were distinctly too small for him.
Alton seemed thoughtful. "I wonder if he would come down and do something for me," he said. "I could find a use for another man or two, you see." Again the little flush of crimson crept into Miss Townshead's cheeks. "I don't think so; he seems to fancy he can get into the C.P.R. service when he is better." "Well," said Alton, "I'm going to take a liberty.
"There is a difference between the two countries, and the scarcity of dollars in this one explains a good deal," she said. Alton glanced at both of them with a slightly bewildered expression. "Of course!" said he. "The thing's quite simple. That steer is worth so many dollars to Miss Townshead's father, and he couldn't afford to lose them."
Every trace of colour faded from Jack Townshead's face. "Good Lord! Damn you, Alton it can't be true." Alton rose up slowly and stretched his hand out, while the veins swelled out on his forehead. Then he dropped it again. "You'll be sorry for this by and by, Jack," he said. "Don't you know your sister better you fool? Now sit down there, and I'll tell you everything."
Townshead made some answer with a slight bend of his head, but Alton appeared a trifle dubious when the girl offered him hospitality. "I'm afraid the beasts are used up, or I wouldn't think of it," he said. Nellie Townshead's eyes twinkled as she glanced at him. "Could you not have put it in another way?" she said. Alton laughed, and brushed his fingers across the top of the stove.
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