Alf," he added. "If you tell any soul in
Algonquin that Miss Murray was engaged to any one I'll--I'll murder
you. Do you hear?"

He ran up the steps and into the office. And the cruellest part of it
all to poor Afternoon Tea Willie, as the door slammed in his face
leaving him alone in the darkness, was that he could hear his false
friend whistling merrily.

Roderick felt like whistling in the days that followed. He had found
out something he had been longing to know for over a year. He did not
have to stay away from her now. And the very next evening he marched
straight up to Rosemount and asked to see Miss Murray. She was out,
much to his disappointment, but the next Sunday he met her as they were
leaving the church. And she expressed her regret so kindly that he was
once more filled with hope. He had stood watching for her while his
father paused for a word with Dr. Leslie, but as usual he had been
joined by Alexander Graham and his daughter. There was a subtle air of
triumph about the man, ever since Roderick had decided to go to
Montreal, an air almost of proprietorship especially noticeable when
Lawyer Ed was about.

"Good morning, Rod," he said genially. "All packed yet?"

"Not quite," said Roderick shortly. He winced, for the thought of the
actual parting with his father was a subject upon which he did not care
to speak.

"I don't believe you are a bit sorry you are going," said Leslie,
shaking the heavy plumes of her velvet hat at him, and pouting, for
never a regret had he expressed to her.

"I actually believe you're glad. And I don't blame you. I'd be just
jumping for joy if I were going. It's a dreadfully dull little place
here, in the winter especially."

He looked at her in surprise. It was so unlike her to express
discontent. She had always seemed so happy. "Why, I thought you
couldn't be ever induced to live any other place," he cried in surprise.

"The idea! I wish somebody'd try me!" she flashed out the answer, with
just the faintest emphasis on a significant word.

Roderick looked down at her again in wonder, to see her eyes droop, her
colour deepen. They passed down the church steps, side by side; her
father dropped behind with Dr. Blair, and they were left alone
together. Roderick, always shy in a young woman's presence, was
overcome with a vague feeling of dismay, which he did not at all
understand and which rendered him speechless.

He was relieved when Miss Anna