ulted. Aline listened with a smile to my running comments, and then
remarked dryly:

"I think you have forgotten your usual caution for once, Ralph. You should
have gone with them, and seen the sale. I didn't like that man, and once
or twice I caught him looking at you in a way that struck me as
suspicious. I suppose you are sure the firm he represented is good?"

"It's as good as a bank," I answered, and then grew almost vexed with her,
for Aline had an irritating way of damping one's enthusiasm. "Now try to
say something pleasant, and I'll buy you a pair of the best fur mittens in
Winnipeg when we get the money."

"Then I hope you will get it," said Aline, "for I should like the gloves.
Here is another cattleman going south."

She placed more plates on the table, while, throwing down the pen, I
looked out of the window. Here and there the dry grasses were buried in
snow, and a glance at the aneroid suggested that we might have to
accommodate the visitor all night, for the appearance of the weather was
not promising. He came on at good pace, wrapped in a short fur coat, and I
noticed that he did not ride altogether like the prairie-born. When he
dismounted I led his horse into the stable before I ushered him into the
room. The meal was almost ready, and we expected him to join us as a
matter of course. He was a shrewd-looking young man with a pleasant face,
and bowed gracefully to Aline as he said in a straightforward way:

"I thank you for your kindness, madam, and must introduce myself--James
Heysham, of Ross & Grant, high-class cattle-salesmen. Best market prices,
immediate settlements guaranteed, reasonable commission, and all the rest
of it. Glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Lorimer; here's our card. I
rode over from the railroad on the way to Jasper's, to see if I could make
a deal with you. Now's the time to realize on your stock, and Ross & Grant
the best firm to entrust them to. Don't want to accept your hospitality
under false pretenses, and there are still a few prejudiced Englishmen who
look down on the drummer. Once waited on a man called Carrington--and he
wasn't even civil."

"Sit down," I said, laughing. "This is my sister, and at least we can
offer you a meal, but you are too late to sell our stock. I have just
returned from shipping Jasper's as well as my own under charge of a new
partner of Gardner's."

Heysham looked puzzled. "It's a reliable firm--almost as good as our own,"
he said. "You