nstead of
blustering--there's not an ounce of real grit in you. This is no time
for sentiment, and you have admitted that Mrs. Leslie was on good terms
with Thurston. If she has warned him, one of us at least will have to
make a record break out of this country. If he doesn't it won't be the
divorce court he'll figure in."

Leslie went without further protest, and Shackleby looked at him
significantly when the booking-clerk said, "If I remember right, Mrs.
Leslie bought a ticket for Thompson's. It's a flag station at the head
of the new road that's to be driven into the Orchard Valley."

"I guess that's enough," remarked Shackleby. "You and I are going
there by the first train too. Oh, yes, I'm coming with you whether you
like it or not, for it strikes me our one chance is to bluff Thurston
into a bargain for the cessation of hostilities. It's lucky he's
supposed to be uncommonly short of money."

Geoffrey Thurston, Mrs. Leslie, and Thomas Savine of course, could not
know of this conversation, but the woman was anxious as they rode
together into sight of the little flag station shortly before the
Atlantic express was due. When the others dismounted, Thomas Savine,
who had been summoned by telegram from Vancouver, remained discreetly
behind. It was very cold, darkness was closing down on the deep hollow
among the hills, and some little distance up the ascending line, a huge
freight locomotive was waiting with a string of cars behind it in a
side track. Thurston pointed to the fan-shaped blaze of the great head
lamp.

"We have timed it well. They're expecting your train now," he said.

"I am glad," was Millicent's answer. "I shall feel easier when I am
once upon the way, for all day I have been nervously afraid that Harry
might arrive or something unexpected might happen to detain me. There
will be only time to catch the Allan boat, you say, and once the train
leaves this station nobody could overtake me?"

"Of course not!" answered Geoffrey, reassuringly. "It is perhaps
natural that you should be apprehensive, but there is no reason for it.
Whether you are doing right or wrong I dare not presume to judge, and,
under the circumstances, I wish there had been somebody else to counsel
you; but if your husband has treated you cruelly and you are in fear of
him, I cannot venture to dissuade you. You will write to me when you
have settled your plans?"

"Yes," she promised. After a moment's pause, she wen