know, Ranald, I--we do not regard you as a stranger."
Ranald winced and grew pale. "We--my family--have always felt toward you
as--well, in fact, as if you were one of us."

Mr. St. Clair had delivered his last and deadliest blow and it found
Ranald's heart, but with pain blanching his cheek Ranald stood up
determined to end the fight. It was by no means easy for him to
strike. Before him he saw not this man with his ingenious and specious
pleading--it would not have been a difficult matter to have brushed him
aside--but he was looking into the blue eyes of the woman he had for
seven years loved more than he loved his life, and he knew that when his
blow fell it would fall upon the face that, only a few hours ago, had
smiled upon him, and upon the lips that had whispered to him, "I will
remember, Ranald." Yet he was none the less resolved. With face set and
bloodless, and eyes of gleaming fire, he faced the man that represented
what was at once dearest in life and what was most loathsome in conduct.

"Give me a moment, Mr. St. Clair," he said, with a note of authority
in his tone. "You have made me an offer of a position such as I could
hardly hope to expect for years to come, but I value it chiefly because
it means you have absolute confidence in me; you believe in my ability
and in my integrity. I am determined that you will never have cause to
change your opinion of me. You are about to complete a deal involving a
very large sum of money. I have a report here," tapping his desk, "which
you have not yet seen."

"It really doesn't matter!" interjected Mr. St. Clair; "you see, my dear
fellow--"

"It matters to me. It is a report which not only you ought to have, but
which, in justice, the buyer of the Bass River Limits ought to see. That
report, Mr. St. Clair, ought to be given to Colonel Thorp."

"This is sheer folly," exclaimed Mr. St. Clair, impatiently.

"It is the only honorable course."

"Do you mean to insult me, sir?"

"There is only one other thing I would rather not do," said Ranald, in
a grave voice, "and that is refuse Colonel Thorp the information he is
entitled to from us."

"Sir!" exclaimed Mr. St. Clair, "this is outrageous, and I demand an
apology or your resignation!"

"Colonel Thorp," announced a clerk, opening the door.

"Tell Colonel Thorp I cannot--ah, Colonel Thorp, I am glad to see you.
Will you step this way?" opening the door leading to his own office.

The colonel, a tall, raw-bo