ok his head. "It's a long rest you want, Harry," he said.

He went in, and Alton, proceeding down the street, presently entered
the Bank of Montreal, where he left the manager divided between
astonishment and admiration. He, however, came out with just as many
dollars as he carried into the building, and lighting a cigar, watched
the passers-by gravely as he waited for his comrade. They were of many
and widely different types; men with keen, sallow faces from eastern
cities hastening as though every moment lost was an opportunity wasted;
others moving with the tranquillity which proclaimed them Englishmen;
bronzed prospectors, and solemn axemen from the shadowy bush, with the
stillness of the forest in their eyes; sailors, Japs, and Siwash
sealermen. All of them appeared well fed and prosperous, and Alton was
wondering whether there was any one hungry in that city, when a girl
came down the stairway of the building Seaforth had entered.

Alton did not at first see her face, but he noticed that her dress was
threadbare, and she was walking wearily, while the man who read
dejection in her attitude was sorry for her. She stopped in the
passage, glancing at the card in her hand, then drew herself up a
little and with a quick, nervous movement lifted her head. Alton saw
her face at last, and though it had grown a trifle hollow and pale, he
recognized Miss Townshead. Then she saw him, and he moved forward
hastily.

"This is a pleasure I was not expecting," he said.

He fancied for a moment that the girl would have retreated. She,
however, looked at him quietly, though something in her manner checked
Alton's outstretched hand.

"Are you staying here?" she said.

"No," said Alton. "I'm going away to-morrow, but I want quite a long
talk with you."

"I do not wish to hear anything about Somasco," said the girl.

"Well," said Alton, who understood her, smiling, "we'll let that go by.
Now, they begin on time in this city, and as your father doesn't like
his breakfast early, I'm figuring you haven't had any. We'll get some
together. I've been too busy to think of mine."

Nellie Townshead was afterwards both astonished and angry with herself.
She had lost her respect for this man who had, it seemed, betrayed her
confidence, and if he had given her a moment's time, would probably
have dispensed with his company. As it was, however, Alton drew her
out into the street with a swift forcefulness before she could fram