w him well," he said.
"It is quite in keeping with traditions that he should be perfectly
willing to ruin himself for a woman, and I am at least thankful that
the woman proves worthy. In this case, however, I venture to hope the
end may be the achievement of prosperity. I generally speak my mind
and hope I have not offended you."

CHAPTER XXIII

THE ULTIMATUM

Winter creeping down from the high peaks held the whole valley fast in
its icy grip when Mrs. Thomas Savine, who was seldom daunted by the
elements, went up from Vancouver to persuade her niece to seek
sheltered quarters on the sunny coast until spring. Her visit was,
however, in this respect a failure, for Julius Savine insisted upon
remaining within touch of the reclamation works. Though seldom able to
reach them, he looked eagerly forward to Geoffrey's brief visits, which
alone seemed to arouse him from his lethargy.

Mrs. Savine and Helen sat in the general living-room at the ranch one
day when her brother-in-law came in leaning heavily upon his partner's
arm. Geoffrey had set his carpenters to build a sleigh, and from one
hill shoulder bare of timber it was possible, with good glasses, to see
what went on in the canyon. Savine was listening with evident
satisfaction to the tall, frost-bronzed man who led him towards the
room that he delighted to call his office, and Mrs. Savine, noticing
it, smiled gratefully upon Geoffrey. Worn by anxious watching, Helen
was possibly a little out of humor that afternoon, and the sight awoke
within her a certain jealousy. She had done her best, and had done it
very patiently, but she had failed to arouse her father to the
animation he showed in Geoffrey's presence.

"I haven't felt so well since I saw you last," observed Savine,
oblivious for the moment of his daughter. "You won't fail to come back
as soon as ever you can--say the day after to-morrow?"

Geoffrey glanced towards Helen, who made no sign, and Mrs. Savine
noticed that for a moment his face clouded. Then, as he turned towards
his partner, he seemed to make an effort, and his expression was
confident again.

"I am afraid I cannot leave the works quite so often. Yes--we are
progressing at least as well as anyone could expect," he said. "I will
come and consult you whenever I can. In fact, there are several points
I want your advice upon."

"Come soon," urged Savine, with a sigh. "It does me good to talk to
you--after the life I've live