ow the checker is gone," said Mr. St. Clair, "and that is
extremely awkward."

"I say," cried Harry, "what will you give me for a checker right now?"

Mr. St. Clair looked at him and then at the lieutenant.

"Pardon me, Mr. St. Clair," said that gentleman, holding up his hand. "I
used to check a little at Rugby, but--"

"Not you, by a long hand," interrupted Harry, disdainfully.

"This awfully charming brother of yours, so very frank, don't you know!"
said the lieutenant, softly, to Maimie, while they all laughed.

"But here is your man, governor," said Harry, laying his hand on Ranald.

"Ranald!" exclaimed Mr. St. Clair. "Why, the very man! You understand
timber, and you are honest."

"I will answer for both with my head," said Harry.

"What do you say, Ranald?" said Mr. St. Clair. "Will you take a day to
think it over?"

"No," said Ranald; "I will be your checker." And so Ranald became part
of the firm of Raymond & St. Clair.

"Come along, Ranald," said Harry. "We will take the girls home, and then
come back to the office."

"Yes, do come," said Kate, heartily. Maimie said nothing.

"No," said Ranald; "I will go back to the raft first, and then come to
the office. Shall I begin tonight?" he said to Mr. St. Clair.

"To-morrow morning will do, Ranald," said Mr. St. Clair. "Come up to the
hotel and see us tonight." But Ranald said nothing. Then Maimie went up
to him.

"Good by, just now," she said, smiling into his face. "You will come and
see us to-night, perhaps?"

Ranald looked at her, while the blood mounted slowly into his dark
cheek, and said: "Yes, I will come."

"What's the matter with you, Maimie?" said Harry, indignantly, when they
had got outside. "You would think Ranald was a stranger, the way you
treat him."

"And he is just splendid! I wish he had pulled ME out of the fire,"
cried Kate.

"You might try the river," said the lieutenant. "I fancy he would go in.
Looks that sort."

"Go in?" cried Harry, "he would go anywhere." The lieutenant made no
reply. He evidently considered that it was hardly worth the effort to
interest himself in the young lumberman, but before he was many hours
older he found reason to change his mind.

After taking the young ladies to their hotel there was still an hour
till the lieutenant's dinner, so, having resolved to cultivate the St.
Clair family, he proposed accompanying Harry back to the office.

As they approached the lower portion of the town they