"doesn't count; the bigger the
loss, the better. You will stop the sale of drink until to-morrow, or
take the consequences."

Another woman, who looked careworn and haggard, and was shabbily
dressed, stood forward.

"We and the children have borne enough!" she broke out. "We have to
save the cord-wood in the bitter cold; we have to send the kiddies out
in old, thin clothes, while the money that would make home worth living
in goes into your register. Where are the boys--our husbands and
sons--who once held steady jobs and did good work?" She raised an
accusing hand, with despair in her pinched face. "Oh! I needn't tell
you--they're rebranding farmers' calves or hiding from the police!
Don't you know of one who walked to his death through the big trestle,
dazed with liquor? For these things the men who tempted them will have
to answer!"

"True, but not quite to the point," Mrs. Nelson interposed. "We have
found remonstrance useless; the time for words has passed. This fellow
has had his warning; we're waiting for him to comply with it."

There was an uproar outside from the crowd that was struggling to get
in and demanding to be told what was going on; but Beamish made a sign
of resignation.

"It looks as if I couldn't refuse you; and anyway it wouldn't be
polite." He turned to his customers.

"Boys, it's not my fault, but you'll get no more drinks to-day. For
all that, I must make a point of asking you to treat these ladies with
respect."

"Smart," Grant remarked to George. "He has handled the thing right.
This means trouble for Hardie."

Then Beamish once more addressed the intruders.

"Now that I've given in, has it struck you that there isn't much use in
closing my place if you leave the Queen's open?"

"We'll shut them both!" Mrs. Nelson declared.

"Then there's just another point--I've folks who have driven a long
way, staying the night with me, and there's quite a crowd coming in for
supper. How am I to treat them?"

"They can have all they want to eat," Mrs. Nelson told him graciously;
"but no liquor."

"I can't refuse to supply them without a reason. What am I to say?"

"Tell them that the Women's Reform League has compelled you to close
your bar."

"And I've been given the orders by their acknowledged secretary?"

"Yes. I'm proud of being their leader, and of the duty I've
discharged."

Beamish turned to his customers.

"You'll remember what she has told me, boys!"

Gra