ts may
suddenly come about in such a country. A railroad may be run through,
wheat-land opened up, minerals found, and wooden cities spring up from
the empty plain. Life's rapid and strenuous; one is swept along with
the stream."

"But you were in the wilds."

Blake laughed. "We were, but not far behind us the tide of population
pours across the plain, and if we had stayed a year or two in the
timber, it would have caught us up. That flood won't stop until it
reaches the Polar Sea."

"But can people live in a rugged land covered with snow that only melts
for a month or two?"

"It depends upon what they find there. So long as the country has
natural resources, the climate doesn't count. One hears of precious
metals and some are being mined." He paused and added in a tone of
humorous confidence: "My partner believes in oil."

They were now close to Hazlehurst and Millicent could ask no more
questions because as they reached the high-road Mrs. Keith joined them.

"You might go in and write the letter I told you about," she said to
Millicent, and then turned to Blake. "As I want a quiet walk, Dick, I
daresay you will keep me company."

Blake said he would be delighted, and when Millicent had left them
remarked: "I didn't know you were given to this form of exercise."

"I may as well tell you that I came out because I couldn't take part in
the meaningless chatter that was going on. As a matter of fact, I was
too disturbed to stay in."

"May one ask what disturbed you?"

"Mrs. Foster's announcement that Mrs. Chudleigh is coming down again.
She only heard this morning."

"You think this means a fresh attack upon my persecuted relative?"

"Judge for yourself. Mrs. Chudleigh had no pressing invitation to come
back and has not been away long; after all, she and Lucy Foster are not
great friends. Now she has only a flimsy excuse for the visit--I've
seen her letter. Why should the woman force herself into Hazlehurst,
unless it's to be within striking distance of your uncle?"

"I don't know. I suppose she couldn't have come down independently and
called on him, because it would have excited remark; but that's not the
question. The Colonel mustn't see her."

"How would you prevent his doing so if she goes to the house?"

"I think," said Blake, "the matter could be most effectively dealt with
by letting her see me."

"An excellent plan, but if your uncle's to be kept in ignorance, it
will need some a