as
she had learned with interest, few English letters, so there was nobody
to whom he wrote regularly; and yet his disappointment when forced to
abandon his visit had obviously been keen. There was, Flora thought, a
mystery here.

"After all," she said, "the feeling you have indicated is pretty common
in the Canadian wheat-belt."

"Then why should you expect me to be an exception? As a matter of
fact, I'm at least as anxious as my neighbors to be successful. That's
partly why I've come over to-night." His voice grew deeper and softer
as he continued. "I want to thank you and your father for your
surprising generosity."

"Surprising?" responded Flora lightly, though she was stirred by the
signs of feeling he displayed. "Do you know you're not altogether
complimentary?"

He smiled.

"You'll forgive the slip; when one feels strongly, it's difficult to
choose one's words. Anyway, to get that seed, and so much of it, is an
immense relief. I'm deeply grateful; the more so because your action
was so spontaneous. I haven't a shadow of a claim on you."

Flora put down her sewing and looked at him directly.

"I don't think you ought to say that--do you wish to be considered a
stranger?"

"No," George declared impulsively. "It's the last thing I want.
Still, you see--"

She was pleased with his eagerness, but she checked him.

"Then, as you have a gift of making friends, you must take the
consequences."

"I didn't know I had the gift. My real friends aren't plentiful."

"If you begin to count, you may find them more numerous than you think."

"Those I have made in Canada head the list."

The girl felt a thrill of satisfaction. This was not a compliment; he
had spoken from his heart.

"After all, I don't see why you should insist on thanking me as well as
my father, who really sent you the seed." She paused. "You didn't do
so on the last occasion; I mean at the time when it was promised to
you."

This was correct, and George was conscious of some embarrassment.

"Well," he said firmly, "I think I'm justified."

Flora could not contradict him, and she was glad he felt as he did.
She liked his way of sticking to the point; indeed, she was sensible of
a strong liking for the man.

During the next minute or two her father came in. He cut short
George's thanks, and then took out his pipe.

"I was in at the Butte yesterday," he said. "The police have got the
men who knocked Farren out, and Fle