st make one angry. Of course, she is too high for you; but
there was no reason you should look like a convicted felon when we took
the trouble to demonstrate your innocence. Confusion to Thomas Fletcher
and all his works, I say! Why should that invertebrate wastrel have turned
up to plague us so?"

Some time had elapsed before we got the horses harnessed, because they
objected strenuously, and several branching trails crossed the prairie, so
we spent a much longer time than I liked in driving through the bitter
cold before we found my late accuser sitting under a copse of willows, and
apparently awaiting his death. As the settlers say when it freezes on the
prairie, you can't fool with that kind of cold. Harry for some reason
swore profanely.

"Get in, and we'll take you straight to Willow Lake," he said, lifting the
unfortunate man, who already had almost lost the use of his limbs, and who
answered with his teeth chattering:

"You two are very good; I couldn't drag myself further; walked there from
Elktail to-day, and I felt main drowsy. What brought thee after me? From
one of thy sort I never expected it."

"I don't care what you expected," said Harry briefly, "so you needn't
trouble to tell me. Get into these furs here before you freeze to death;
another half-hour would have made an end of you."

The team already had traveled far that day, but they responded gallantly
to Harry's encouragement. The cold bit deep, however, and I could scarcely
move a limb when, toward midnight, with a hiss of runners and a jingle of
bells, we came into sight of Fletcher's shanty by Willow Lake. As luck
would have it a light still shone in the window, and he opened the door
when Harry and I made shift to draw some wrappings over the team. It
grieved me to leave the poor beasts waiting there, for I found it
difficult even to speak.

"It's Mr. Lorimer, Minnie," Fletcher shouted; and before I could intervene
a woman's shape filled the lighted door, while Harry said softly,
"Confound it! I hoped to have got out before the play commenced."

"We have brought you a visitor, Minnie," I said. "You must not be
surprised. There's nothing too strange to happen in a new country. Harry,
help me with him;" and between us we half carried Lee inside, for all the
strength had gone out of him. The hot room reeled about me, and there was
a drumming in my head, but with an effort, I said, "It's your father,
Minnie. You forgot the letter, and he came