ress is welcome to shelter here. You were
going to Mr. Thurston's camp?"

Even Mrs. Savine had started at Millicent's first statement, and now
she read contemptuous indignation in Helen's eyes. It was certain her
niece's voice, though even, was curiously strained.

"Yes!" answered Millicent, rapidly. "I was going to Geoffrey
Thurston's camp. It is only failing strength that hinders me from
completing the journey. Somebody must warn him at once that he is on
no account to leave for Vancouver as he promised me that he would.
There is a plot to ruin him during his absence--a traitor among his
workmen, I think. At any moment the warning may be too late. He was
starting west to-day to call on me."

Millicent was half-dazed and perhaps did not reflect that it was
possible to draw a damaging inference from her words. Nevertheless,
there was that in Helen's expression which awoke a desire for
retaliation.

Helen asked but one question, "You risked your life to tell him this?"
and when Millicent bent her head the guide interposed, "You can bet she
did, and nearly lost it."

"Then," said the girl, "the warning must not be thrown away.
Unfortunately, we have nobody I could send just now. Auntie, you must
see to Mrs. Leslie; I will go myself."

"I'm very sorry, miss. If you like I'll do my best, but can hardly
promise that I won't fall over on the way," apologized the guide; but
Helen hastened out of the room, and now that the strain was over,
Millicent lay helpless in her chair. Still, she was conscious of a
keen disappointment. After all she had dared and suffered, it was
Helen who would deliver the warning.

Thurston was standing knee-deep in ground-up stone and mire, inside a
coffer dam about which the river frothed and roared, when a man brought
him word that Miss Savine waited for him. He hurried to meet her, and
presently halted beside her horse--a burly figure in shapeless slouch
hat, with a muddy oilskin hanging from his shoulders above the stained
overalls and long boots.

Helen sat still in the saddle, a strange contrast to him, for she was
neat and dainty down to the little foot in Indian dressed deerskin
against the horse's flank. She showed no sign of pleasure as she
returned his greeting, but watched him keenly as she said:

"Mrs. Leslie arrived this morning almost frozen at the ranch. She left
the railroad last night to reach your camp, but her guide lost the
trail."

The man was certain