Aline ran out to meet me when I dismounted, and my mood must have been infectious, for she smiled as she greeted me.

"I sent Harry to scour the prairie in search of you, for I feared you must have been dead tired and the horse had fallen in a ravine. But you must have slept among the fairies, Ralph, and risen transfigured. You look too radiant for my serious brother."

It was after hay-time, and the wheat was tall and green, when Grace and I were married in the little wooden church at Carrington, and every man in the settlement rode there in her train. Few princesses of royal blood ever had a finer escort than hers, and she came in state, as was due to her—for Grace was a prairie princess and the heiress of Carrington. Perhaps the memory of what had happened made her subjects doubly anxious to show their loyalty; while, remembering who I was, and how I landed in that country a poor emigrant, once more I found it hard to understand why of all men such a gift had been bestowed on me.

The riders of Carrington also filled one room at the Manor with glittering tokens of their good-will from Toronto and Montreal, besides such useful things as tools and harness, while among the presents lay a plain letter with a black border which Grace and I read together. It was from Martin Lorimer. "I wish you both many blessings," it ran, "and knowing your foolish way of thinking, I could not send the present I wanted to; but you'll take this, with an old man's very good wishes. It's a certificate of paid-up stock in the new Day Spring Mining Company, of which Calvert is manager. Sell or hold as pleases you. You'll find a market—for already Calvert's sending up good ore. I also send you something else—your cousin valued it."

Another paper fluttered out of the envelope, and my amusement died away as I recognized the letter I had given the bankers in Winnipeg when I drew upon the loan.

"Of all the gifts I value this from poor Alice most," I said a little huskily. "We should have gone under without it, and perhaps it alone helped me to win you. Grace, to both of us, this is the strangest of wedding presents; but what shall we do with these shares in the Day Spring mine? They represent the principal portion of the paid-up capital."

"You will keep them," Grace said. "I think I understand why he sent them. I had a very bitter feeling against your uncle, but I have conquered it. The past is never done with, and it may be that what my father toiled for and lost will come to his daughter in its own way. Ralph, there's a story of hope and struggle and sorrow written between every line on either paper."

We rode, in accordance with prairie custom, straight home from the church, for Grace was no longer princess of Carrington, but the wife of a struggling farmer, and she said that until the harvest was gathered there must be no honeymoon. Fairmead, as all the inhabitants of the prairie know, was only a small holding hampered by lack of capital when she married its owner and forthwith commenced to live in strict accordance with her adopted station. We hoped to improve that station, but this depended on the crops and the weather, and the heavens continued to favor us that year. Seldom had there been such grass for cattle or such a yield of wheat. No acre returned less than its twenty bushels, and many nearer forty; while Grace, who drove the first binder into the tall yellow stems and worked on through the rush and dust of harvest and thrashing, rejoiced as she said she had never done when all was safely gathered in.

Then Harry and Aline were married and settled in Hudson's dwelling; and one evening toward the close of the Indian summer, when our work was done at last we drove slowly down the long incline away from Fairmead. A maple flamed red on the bluff, the birch leaves were golden; but the prairie was lone and empty, save for a breadth of tall stubble, and there was neither a sack in the granary nor a beast in a stall. Harry had taken the working cattle, while the stock were traveling eastward across the ocean and the wheat lay piled in the elevators or had been ground already into finest flour. But the result of our labors was bearing interest, and would do so until spring, in the shape of a balance at the Bank of Montreal. Each venture had succeeded, and evidence was not wanting that at last we were being carried smoothly forward on the flood-tide of prosperity; and so with thankful hearts we prepared to enjoy a well-earned holiday in the older cities of eastern Canada.

The garish light died out as we passed the last of the stubble, which grew dusky behind us, the stars that shone forth one by one glimmered frostily, and silence closed down on the prairie, while the jingle of harness and the groaning of wheels recalled the day I had first driven across it. Grace, too, seemed lost in reverie, for presently she said:

"Another year's work ended, and the bounteous harvest in. Ralph, why is it that happiness brings with it a tinge of melancholy, and that out of our present brightness we look back to the shadows of other days? I have been thinking all day of curious things and people we knew—our first dance at Lone Hollow, of Geoffrey Ormond and your cousin. They all played their part in giving us what we now enjoy."

I cracked the whip, stirring the horses into a quicker pace, and, slipping one arm around her, I said: "It is not those who work or suffer most who are always rewarded as they would hope to be; and, as Johnston once said, the fallen have done great things. But we will look forward. You made true forecasts that night at Lone Hollow, and no fairer witch ever came out of Lancashire. So look again deep into the future, and tell me what you see."

Grace laughed, and nestled closer to me under the furs, for the nights were chilly, before she answered: "There are compensations, and one cannot have everything, so I lost the gift of prophecy when a better one came to me—and, Ralph, it came that very night at the Hollow, I think. Instead, I will tell you what I hope to see. First, you faithful to your task, as faithful to me, laying together acre on acre and adding crop to crop until the possessions of Fairmead are greater than Carrington. But even before this comes—and come, I think, it will—we will try to remember that we are but stewards, and that possession brings its duties. My father was a keen sportsman, and I, too, love a horse and gun, but we thought too much of pleasure at Carrington. We will fling our doors wide open to the English poor—there are no poor in the Dominion like the English poor—and share with the needy the harvests that are granted us. I have been thinking often of your helper, Lee, and as a beginning he could send you two families in the spring—we have room for them. And so, Ralph, if you will humor me in this I shall never be sorry to preside over Fairmead instead of Carrington."

"I will," I answered simply; but she seemed content with the answer, and asked for no further assurance as we drove on through the night. No one could laugh more joyously than Grace, or cast about her flashes of brighter humor; but we had just completed an arduous task whose reward was greater almost than we dared hope, and our gladness was too great to find expression in merriment.

On reaching the Elktail station I was handed a telegram from Calvert which had lain there some time awaiting an opportunity for delivery. It was brief, but reassuring.

"Great news. Bottomed on rich ore at last. Day Spring stock cent. per cent. premium. Don't sell. Looking for surprising dividends."

"This is the beginning," said Grace. "Some day all the rest will come."

And then, with a blast of the whistle and the lighted cars clashing as they lurched up out of the prairie, the Atlantic express rolled in and bore us east to enjoy our belated honeymoon.

Grace's prediction was fulfilled, for although we had reverses we prospered from that day, and there are now few farms anywhere on the wide grass-lands between Winnipeg and Regina, to compare, either in area or fertility, with Fairmead, while the flour made from our wheat is spread across the breadth of Europe. And better than lands and stock is the content and peace that came to me through Grace's companionship.

THE END



POPULAR COPYRIGHT BOOKS AT MODERATE PRICES

Any of the following titles can be bought of your bookseller at the price you paid for this volume

Circle, The. By Katherine Cecil Thurston (author of "The Masquerader," "The Gambler"). Colonial Free Lance, A. By Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. Conquest of Canaan, The. By Booth Tarkington. Courier of Fortune, A. By Arthur W. Marchmont. Darrow Enigma, The. By Melvin Severy. Deliverance, The. By Ellen Glasgow. Divine Fire, The. By May Sinclair. Empire Builders. By Francis Lynde. Exploits of Brigadier Gerard. By A. Conan Doyle. Fighting Chance, The. By Robert W. Chambers. For a Maiden Brave. By Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. Fugitive Blacksmith, The. By Chas. D. Stewart God's Good Man. By Marie Corelli. Heart's Highway, The. By Mary E. Wilkins. Holladay Case, The. By Burton Egbert Stevenson. Hurricane Island. By H. B. Marriott Watson. In Defiance of the King. By Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. Indifference of Juliet, The. By Grace S. Richmond. Infelice. By Augusta Evans Wilson. Lady Betty Across the Water. By C. N. and A. M. Williamson. Lady of the Mount, The. By Frederic S. Isham. Lane That Had No Turning, The. By Gilbert Parker. Langford of the Three Bars. By Kate and Virgil D. Boyles. Last Trail, The. By Zane Grey. Leavenworth Case, The. By Anna Katharine Green. Lilac Sunbonnet, The. By S. R. Crockett. Lin McLean. By Owen Wister. Long Night, The. By Stanley J. Weyman. Maid at Arms, The. By Robert W. Chambers.



POPULAR COPYRIGHT BOOKS AT MODERATE PRICES

Any of the following titles can be bought of your bookseller at the price you paid for this volume

Man from Red Keg, The. By Eugene Thwing. Marthon Mystery, The. By Burton Egbert Stevenson. Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. By A. Conan Doyle. Millionaire Baby, The. By Anna Katharine Green. Missourian, The. By Eugene P. Lyle, Jr. Mr. Barnes, American. By A. C. Gunter. Mr. Pratt. By Joseph C. Lincoln. My Friend the Chauffeur. By C. N. and A. M. Williamson. My Lady of the North. By Randall Parrish. Mystery of June 13th. By Melvin L. Severy. Mystery Tales. By Edgar Allan Poe. Nancy Stair. By Elinor Macartney Lane. Order No. 11. By Caroline Abbot Stanley. Pam. By Bettina von Hutten. Pam Decides. By Bettina von Hutten. Partners of the Tide. By Joseph C. Lincoln. Phra the Phoenician. By Edwin Lester Arnold. President, The. By Alfred Henry Lewis. Princess Passes, The. By C. N. and A. M. Williamson. Princess Virginia, The. By C. N. and A. M. Williamson. Prisoners. By Mary Cholmondeley. Private War, The. By Louis Joseph Vance. Prodigal Son, The. By Hall Caine. Quickening, The. By Francis Lynde. Richard the Brazen. By Cyrus T. Brady and Edw. Peple. Rose of the World. By Agnes and Egerton Castle. Running Water. By A. E. W. Mason. Sarita the Carlist. By Arthur W. Marchmont. Seats of the Mighty, The. By Gilbert Parker. Sir Nigel. By A. Conan Doyle. Sir Richard Calmady. By Lucas Malet. Speckled Bird, A. By Augusta Evans Wilson.



POPULAR COPYRIGHT BOOKS AT MODERATE PRICES

Any of the following titles can be bought of your bookseller at the price you paid for this volume

Spirit of the Border, The. By Zane Grey. Spoilers, The. By Rex Beach. Squire Phin. By Holman F. Day. Stooping Lady, The. By Maurice Hewlett. Subjection of Isabel Carnaby. By Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler. Sunset Trail, The. By Alfred Henry Lewis. Sword of the Old Frontier, A. By Randall Parrish. Tales of Sherlock Holmes. By A. Conan Doyle. That Printer of Udell's. By Harold Bell Wright. Throwback, The. By Alfred Henry Lewis. Trail of the Sword, The. By Gilbert Parker. Treasure of Heaven, The. By Marie Corelli. Two Vanrevels, The. By Booth Tarkington. Up From Slavery. By Booker T. Washington. Vashti. By Augusta Evans Wilson. Viper of Milan, The (original edition). By Marjorie Bowen. Voice of the People, The. By Ellen Glasgow. Wheel of Life, The. By Ellen Glasgow. When Wilderness Was King. By Randall Parrish. Where the Trail Divides. By Will Lillibridge. Woman in Grey, A. By Mrs. C. N. Williamson. Woman in the Alcove, The. By Anna Katharine Green. Younger Set, The. By Robert W. Chambers. The Weavers. By Gilbert Parker. The Little Brown Jug at Kildare. By Meredith Nicholson. The Prisoners of Chance. By Randall Parrish. My Lady of Cleve. By Percy J. Hartley. Loaded Dice. By Ellery H. Clark. Get Rich Quick Wallingford. By George Randolph Chester. The Orphan. By Clarence Mulford. A Gentleman of France. By Stanley J. Weyman.



POPULAR COPYRIGHT BOOKS AT MODERATE PRICES

Any of the following titles can be bought of your bookseller at the price you paid for this volume

The Shepherd of the Hills. By Harold Bell Wright. Jane Cable. By George Barr McCutcheon. Abner Daniel. By Will N. Harben. The Far Horizon. By Lucas Malet. The Halo. By Bettina von Hutten. Jerry Junior. By Jean Webster. The Powers and Maxine. By C. N. and A. M. Williamson. The Balance of Power. By Arthur Goodrich. Adventures of Captain Kettle. By Cutcliffe Hyne. Adventures of Gerard. By A. Conan Doyle. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. By A. Conan Doyle. Arms and the Woman. By Harold MacGrath. Artemus Ward's Works (extra illustrated). At the Mercy of Tiberius. By Augusta Evans Wilson. Awakening of Helena Richie. By Margaret Deland. Battle Ground, The. By Ellen Glasgow. Belle of Bowling Green, The. By Amelia E. Barr. Ben Blair. By Will Lillibridge. Best Man, The. By Harold MacGrath. Beth Norvell. By Randall Parrish. Bob Hampton of Placer. By Randall Parrish. Bob, Son of Battle. By Alfred Ollivant. Brass Bowl, The. By Louis Joseph Vance. Brethren, The. By H. Rider Haggard. Broken Lance, The. By Herbert Quick. By Wit of Women. By Arthur W. Marchmont. Call of the Blood, The. By Robert Hitchens. Cap'n Eri. By Joseph C. Lincoln. Cardigan. By Robert W. Chambers. Car of Destiny, The. By C. N. and A. N. Williamson. Casting Away of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine. By Frank R. Stockton. Cecilia's Lovers. By Amelia E. Barr.



POPULAR COPYRIGHT BOOKS AT MODERATE PRICES

Any of the following titles can be bought of your bookseller at the price you paid for this volume

Purple Parasol, The. By George Barr McCutcheon. Princess Dehra, The. By John Reed Scott. Making of Bobby Burnit, The. By George Randolph Chester. Last Voyage of the Donna Isabel, The. By Randall Parrish. Bronze Bell, The. By Louis Joseph Vance. Pole Baker. By Will N. Harben. Four Million, The. By O. Henry. Idols. By William J. Locke. Wayfarers, The. By Mary Stewart Cutting. Held for Orders. By Frank H. Spearman. Story of the Outlaw, The. By Emerson Hough. Mistress of Brae Farm, The. By Rosa N. Carey. Explorer, The. By William Somerset Maugham. Abbess of Vlaye, The. By Stanley Weyman. Alton of Somasco. By Harold Bindloss. Ancient Law, The. By Ellen Glasgow. Barrier, The. By Rex Beach. Bar 20. By Clarence E. Mulford. Beloved Vagabond, The. By William J. Locke. Beulah. (Illustrated Edition.) By Augusta J. Evans. Chaperon, The. By C. N. and A. M. Williamson. Colonel Greatheart. By H. C. Bailey. Dissolving Circle, The. By Will Lillibridge. Elusive Isabel. By Jacques Futrelle. Fair Moon of Bath, The. By Elizabeth Ellis. 54-40 or Fight. By Emerson Hough.



POPULAR COPYRIGHT BOOKS AT MODERATE PRICES

Any of the following titles can be bought of your bookseller at the price you paid for this volume

Anna the Adventuress. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. Ann Boyd. By Will N. Harben. At The Moorings. By Rosa N. Carey. By Right of Purchase. By Harold Bindloss. Carlton Case, The. By Ellery H. Clark. Chase of the Golden Plate. By Jacques Futrelle. Cash Intrigue, The. By George Randolph Chester. Delafield Affair, The. By Florence Finch Kelly. Dominant Dollar, The. By Will Lillibridge. Elusive Pimpernel, The. By Baroness Orczy. Ganton & Co. By Arthur J. Eddy. Gilbert Neal. By Will N. Harben. Girl and the Bill, The. By Bannister Merwin. Girl from His Town, The. By Marie Van Vorst. Glass House, The. By Florence Morse Kingsley. Highway of Fate, The. By Rosa N. Carey. Homesteaders, The. By Kate and Virgil D. Boyles. Husbands of Edith, The. George Barr McCutcheon. Inez. (Illustrated Ed.) By Augusta J. Evans. Into the Primitive. By Robert Ames Bennet. Jack Spurlock, Prodigal. By Horace Lorimer. Jude the Obscure. By Thomas Hardy. King Spruce. By Holman Day. Kingsmead. By Bettina Von Hutten. Ladder of Swords, A. By Gilbert Parker. Lorimer of the Northwest. By Harold Bindloss. Lorraine. By Robert W. Chambers. Loves of Miss Anne, The. By S. R. Crockett.



POPULAR COPYRIGHT BOOKS AT MODERATE PRICES

Any of the following titles can be bought of your bookseller at the price you paid for this volume

Marcaria. By Augusta J. Evans. Mam' Linda. By Will N. Harben. Maids of Paradise, The. By Robert W. Chambers. Man in the Corner, The. By Baroness Orczy. Marriage A La Mode. By Mrs. Humphrey Ward. Master Mummer, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. Much Ado About Peter. By Jean Webster. Old, Old Story, The. By Rosa N. Carey. Pardners. By Rex Beach. Patience of John Moreland, The. By Mary Dillon. Paul Anthony, Christian. By Hiram W. Hays. Prince of Sinners, A. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. Prodigious Hickey, The. By Owen Johnson. Red Mouse, The. By William Hamilton Osborne. Refugees, The. By A. Conan Doyle. Round the Corner in Gay Street. Grace S. Richmond. Rue: With a Difference. By Rosa N. Carey. Set in Silver. By C. N. and A. M. Williamson. St. Elmo. By Augusta J. Evans. Silver Blade, The. By Charles E. Walk. Spirit in Prison, A. By Robert Hichens. Strawberry Handkerchief, The. By Amelia E. Barr. Tess of the D'Urbervilles. By Thomas Hardy. Uncle William. By Jennette Lee. Way of a Man, The. By Emerson Hough. Whirl, The. By Foxcroft Davis. With Juliet in England. By Grace S. Richmond. Yellow Circle, The. By Charles E. Walk.

THE END