shing his arms.

Eva closed the door very softly and gave the children bread and
molasses to keep them quiet. Meanwhile the storm continued to rage.

"The young fool! To run off without a word! I'd have let him go
gladly if he'd said anything--and given him a good man! But to go
alone! He'll break an arm and die in the bush! And to leave me like
this with the year's outfit due next week!

"I'll not see him again until cold weather--if I ever see him! Fifty
pounds of flour--with his appetite! He'll starve to death if he
doesn't drown himself first! He'll never get to Enterprise! Oh, the
consummate young ass! Damn Poly Goussard and his romantic stories!"

CHAPTER III.

COLINA.

John Gaviller and Colina were at breakfast in the big clap-boarded
villa at Fort Enterprise.

They were a good-looking pair, and at heart not dissimilar, though it
must be taken into account that the same qualities manifest themselves
differently in a man of affairs and a romantic, irresponsible young
woman.

They were secretly proud of each other--and quarreled continually.
Colina, by virtue of her reckless honesty, frequently got the better of
her canny father.

"Well," he said, now with a gesture of surrender, "if you're determined
to stay here, all right--but you must live differently."

At the word "must" an ominous gleam shot from under Colina's lashes.

"What's the matter with my way of living?" she asked with deceitful
mildness.

"This tearing around the country on horseback," he said. "Going off
all day hunting with this man and that--and spending the night in
native cabins. As long as I considered you were here on a visit I said
nothing--"

"Oh, didn't you!" murmured Colina sarcastically.

"--But if you are going to make this country your home, you must
consider your reputation in the community just the same as anywhere
else--more, indeed; we live in a tiny little world here, where our
smallest actions are scrutinized and discussed."

He took a swallow of coffee. Colina played with her food sulkily.

Her silence encouraged him to proceed: "Another thing," he said with a
deprecating smile, "comparatively speaking, I occupy an exalted
position now. I am the head of all things, such as they are. Great or
small this entails certain obligations on a man. I have to study all
my words and acts.

"If you are going to stay here with me I shall expect you to assume
your share; to consider my interests,