y happy. He had no right to grieve about it.
And yet he did grieve. The whole sky over the landscape of his life had
suddenly become cold and gray. During these years Kate had grown to be
much to him. She had in many ways helped him in his work. The thought of
her and her approval had brought him inspiration and strength in many an
hour of weakness and loneliness. She had been so loyal and so true from
the very first, and it was a bitter thing to feel that another had come
between them. Over and over again he accused himself of sheer madness.
Why should she not love Harry? That need not make her any less his
friend. But in spite of his arguments, he found himself weary of the
East and eager to turn away from it. He must hurry on at once to Ottawa,
and with all speed get done his business there.

At Chicago he left the colonel with a promise to meet him in three weeks
at the headquarters of the British-American Coal and Lumber Company at
Bay City. He wired to Ottawa, asking an appointment with the government,
and after three days' hard travel found himself in the capital of the
Dominion. The premier, Sir John A. Macdonald, with the ready courtesy
characteristic of him, immediately arranged for a hearing of the
delegation from British Columbia. Ranald was surprised at the
indifference with which he approached this meeting. He seemed to have
lost capacity for keen feeling of any kind. Sir John A. MacDonald and
his cabinet received the delegation with great kindness, and in every
possible way strove to make them feel that the government was genuinely
interested in the western province, and were anxious to do all that
could be done in their interest. In the conference that ensued, the
delegate for Victoria took a more prominent part, being an older man,
and representing the larger and more important constituency. But when
Sir John began to ask questions, the Victoria delegate was soon beyond
his depth. The premier showed such an exactness of knowledge and
comprehensiveness of grasp that before long Ranald was appealed to for
information in regard to the resources of the country, and especially
the causes and extent of the present discontent.

"The causes of discontent are very easy to see," said Ranald; "all
British Columbians feel hurt at the failure of the Dominion government
to keep its solemn obligations."

"Is there nothing else now, Mr. Macdonald?"

"There may be," said Ranald, "some lingering impatience with the
g