The Gold Trail Read Free Page B

that season. Then I went on to a track that they were strengthening and straightening in this province. It ran between the rock and the river, and the snow hadn't gone. We worked waist-deep in it part of the time, and thawed out every stick of giant-powder at the fire. The construction boss was a hustler, and he drove us mercilessly. We toiled raw-handed, worn-out and savage, and he drove us all the harder when one of the boys tried to brain him."
    "And you never longed to be back in the office at the flour-mill?"
    Weston laughed.
    "Didn't you find those sleigh-rides, skating-rinks, and even the trips west in your father's private car, grow exceedingly tame?"
    "Ah," said Ida, "you must remember that I have never known anything else."
    "Then you have only to wait a little. It's quite certain that you won't be able to say that some day."
    It seemed to Ida inadvisable to pursue the subject further, though she was not sure that he wished to do so.
    "How did you expend your energy after you left the track?" she asked.
    "I don't quite remember. Drove horses, went about with a thrashing outfit, hewed logs for bridges-but haven't I talked too long about myself? You have told me nothing of-Montreal."
    Ida risked a chance shot.
    "Don't you know that kind of life? It must be very much the same as the one your people lead in England. It doesn't count that their amusements are slightly different."
    Weston foiled her again.
    "Well," he said, with an air of reflection, "I don't quite think it is; but perhaps I'm prejudiced. I wheeled scrap-iron at the rolling-mills when I was in Montreal."
    He leaned farther back against the tree, with a little whimsical smile. It was pleasant to appear as a modern Ulysses in the eyes of a very pretty girl, but he had, as she was quick to recognize, taken up the role unconsciously.
    "Where are you going next?" she asked.
    "I shall probably go off prospecting if I can raise the money. That is partly why I hope that Major Kinnaird will keep me as long as he camps out in the bush."
    Ida laughed.
    "I think you may count on that. He is rather pleased with you. In fact, I heard him say that if he'd had you in India he would have made a capable sergeant of you."
    She saw a shadow creep into his face, and wondered what had brought it there, for she did not know that in his younger days he had thought of Sandhurst. Then, seeing that he did not answer, she rose.
    "Well," she said, "Arabella is probably wanting me."
    He watched her move away among the great fir trunks, and then took out his pipe with a little sigh. Still he had, or so he fancied, sense enough to refrain from allowing his thoughts to wander in her direction too frequently, and, soothed by the murmur of the river, he presently went to sleep. When he awakened it was time to see that the Indians got supper ready.
    During the evening, Stirling reached the camp; and when the Siwash who had poled his canoe up the river had drawn it out, they sat down somewhat limply on the shingle, for he had as usual traveled with feverish haste. He stayed until the next day, which was rather longer than any of them expected; and it was not by accident that he came upon Weston alone before he went away. The latter was then engaged in lighting a fire, and his employer sat down on a fir branch and quietly looked him over.
    "Foot getting better?" he asked.
    "I think it is," said Weston.
    Stirling nodded.
    "I understand that you have been of some service to these people; and they're my daughter's friends," he said. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
    "No," replied Weston, "I don't think there is."
    The contractor looked at him steadily for a moment or two.
    "Well," he said, "if anything strikes you, there's no reason why you shouldn't let me know. Feeling anxious to get back to the track?"
    Weston's eyes twinkled.
    "I don't think I am."
    "Then you may stay right where you are, and take care of my daughter. If she wants to climb mountains or shoot rapids, it's to be done; but