ettlement, by Gad, sir!' Cut down
the Green Mountain bluff, smoke out beast and bird, plant a workman's
colony down in Carrington! Turn the ideal Utopia into a common, ordinary
creamery!--and you will notice they mean to make it pay. The sun would
stand still sooner than the Colonel consent."

I was inclined to agree with Harry, but I also felt that if it were
impossible to lessen Colonel Carrington's opposition to myself there was
no use making further sacrifices hopelessly. Even his own people had shown
signs of revolt, and Grace's long patience appeared exhausted. There are
limits beyond which respectful obedience degenerates into weakness, and
the ruler of Carrington had reached them.

I met Grace at the time appointed, and her look of concern increased when
I mentioned the creamery.

"I am afraid it will lead to strife, and I am sorry that you are connected
with it," she said. "My father, though I do not altogether agree with him,
has a very strong objection to the project, while even his best friends
appear determined upon it. It may even mean the breaking up of the
Carrington colony. Since the last check at Vancouver he has been subject
to fits of suppressed excitement, and my aunt dare scarcely approach him.
Ralph, from every side disaster seems closing in upon us, and I almost
fear to think what the end will be. It is my one comfort to know that you
are near me and faithful."

Her eyes were hazy as she looked past me across the prairie. Starry
flowers spangled the sod, the grass was flushed with emerald, while the
tender green of a willow copse formed a background for her lissom figure
as she leaned forward to stroke the neck of the big gray horse, which
pawed at the elastic turf. There was bright sunshine above us, dimming
even the sweep of azure, and a glorious rush of breeze. All spoke of life
and courage, and I strove to cheer her, until a horseman swept into sight
across a rise, and my teeth closed together when I recognized the ruler of
Carrington. He rode at a gallop, and his course would lead him well clear
of where we stood, while by drawing back a few yards the willows would
have hidden us. But I was in no mood to avoid him, even had Grace been so
inclined, which was not the case; and so we waited until, turning, he came
on at a breakneck pace. The black horse was gray with dust and lather when
he reined him in, spattering the spume flakes upon me. After a stiff
salutation, I looked at the Colonel