"I've got a sewing-machine," Eve went on, deliberately mimicking him,
"and--and some dollars. And I'm going to make a fresh start."

Her manner of detailing her stock-in-trade, and the smile that
accompanied her words were good to see. Jim's heart beat hard beneath
his buckskin shirt, and the light in his eyes was one of a hope such
as he rarely permitted himself.

"Where?" he demanded. But he knew before she said the words.

"Canada, Edmonton. It's--it's a longish piece off--but----"

Eve never finished her mimicry. In a moment she was in his arms, and
her lips were silenced with his kisses.

Some minutes later she protested.

"You haven't let me finish, Jim," she cried.

But he shook his head.

"No need. I'll tell you the rest. We'll start in together, up there,
and--we'll keep the sewing-machine for home use. You see my socks 'll
sure need darning."

"Silly. You don't do that with a sewing-machine."

* * * * *

Peter's spring wagon was standing outside his door. It was a quaint,
old-fashioned vehicle--just such a conveyance as one would expect him
to possess. It had lain idle during most of his time in Barnriff, and
had suffered much from the stress of bitter winters and the blistering
sun of summers. But it still possessed four clattering wheels, even
though the woodwork and the tires looked conspicuously like parting
company.

The last of his household goods, with the exception of his blankets,
had been loaded up. There was a confused pile of gold-prospecting
tools and domestic chattels. Books and "washing" pans, pictures and
steel drills, jostled with each other in a manner thoroughly
characteristic of his disregard for the comforts of life. These
material matters concerned him so little.

He was scraping out a large frying-pan, the one utensil which shared
with his "billy" the privilege of supplying him with a means of
cooking his food. The work he was engaged upon was something of a
strain. It seemed so unnecessary. Still, the process was his habit of
years, so he did not attempt to shirk it. But he looked up with relief
when he heard voices, and a glad smile of welcome greeted Jim and Eve
as they came up.

"Peter, I've----"

"Peter, we've----"

Jim and Eve both began to speak at the same time. And both broke off
to let the other go on.

Peter glanced swiftly from one to the other. His shrewd eyes took in
the situation at once.

"I'm glad," he