Alton of Somasco | Page 9

Alton simply. "I don't know how you fix these things
in England, but this is a good Canadian custom. Stir around, Charley."
"But," said the girl, "you don't know where the things are."
"Well," said Alton, smiling, "I figure I can find them."
He laid the cups and dishes on the tray, gave it to Seaforth, and
disappeared down a passage carrying the kettle, but not before Miss
Townshead had noticed that while his comrade, who had apparently
been used to the smoother side of life in England, displayed some
awkwardness, everything the big rancher did seemed appropriate, and,
because removing plates is not a man's task, she wondered at it. They
came back presently, and by that time the girl, who had opened some of
the packages, held a roll of fabric upon her knee.
"If you can find a splash anywhere I'll forfeit a dollar. Charley's good at

mopping up," said Alton gravely. "I'm afraid that stuff's a little wet, but
it was the Cayuse's fault. He started in kicking and burst the rope, you
see."
"It would have been wetter if it had gone into the lake," said Seaforth.
"The lake?" said the girl.
Seaforth nodded. "Yes," he said. "It was on the Tyee trail the pony
commenced kicking."
The girl looked up sharply, and there was a subdued brightness in her
eyes, for she had more than once shivered when leading her horse along
that perilous trail. Alton felt for his comrade's leg under the table and
kicked it grievously.
"There wasn't any trouble, and the snow was soft," said he. "You're
going to make a dress of that stuff, Miss Nellie?"
"Yes," said the girl. "I could, however, wish the stuff was better."
Alton smiled gravely. "Of course!" he said. "Still, it don't count for
much. You would look like a picture in anything."
Nellie Townshead glanced at him sharply, and for a moment there was
a faint sparkle in her eyes, for she had a trace of temper.
"Whatever made you say that?" said she.
Alton laughed. "I really don't quite know. I just felt I had to," he said
with a naive simplicity. "I wouldn't have done it if I had thought it
would vex you."
After this he listened while his comrade talked--and Seaforth on
occasion could talk gracefully--until at last he said, "England's not so
very big, Miss Nellie. I wonder if you know a place called Carnaby."
"Yes," said the girl. "I once went to see rather a fine old hall there."

"Carnaby Grange?" said Alton quietly.
"Yes," said the girl with a trace of curiosity. "We spent some little time
in the grounds. They lie deep in the woods, and there is a famous rose
garden."
"Yes," said Alton. "All kinds of roses. And the old place? Tell me
about it!"
"Is very picturesque," said the girl. "It looked quiet and grey, and
almost stately under its ivy that autumn day, but I could scarcely
describe it you. You have nothing like it in Canada."
"No," said Alton gravely. "I have seen nothing like it in Canada. But
wasn't there a lake?"
The girl glanced at him curiously. "There was," she said. "I remember
it lay shining before us between the woods. It was very beautiful,
quieter and calmer than our lakes in Canada."
A slight flush crept through the bronze in Alton's face, which grew a
trifle grim, and a light into his eyes. "There is a lake at Somasco where
you can see the white peaks lie shining, and the big Wapiti come down
to drink," he said. "There are cedars and redwoods about it which
except for a few in California, haven't their equal in the world, but
there's nothing about that lake or valley that's quiet or calm. It's wild
and great and grand. No. They've nothing of that kind in the old
country. Are not Abana and Pharfar better than all the waters of
Israel?"
"Apposite!" said Townshead. "You apparently read the Scriptures?"
"Sometimes," said Alton simply. "They get hold of me. Those old
fellows went right down to the bed rock of human nature back there in
Palestine, and it strikes me there's no great difference in that between
now and then."
"When," said Townshead smiling, "I was a King in Babylon."

"No," said Alton reflectively. "You're a little late on time. The Christian
slave don't quite fit in."
Townshead glanced at him sharply, and said nothing, for the rancher
had once or twice already somewhat astonished him.
"Well," said Alton, "tell me, Miss Nellie, were the lilies where the
ashes hung over the lake? I want to know all about Carnaby."
The girl seemed somewhat thoughtful, and a trifle astonished, but she
made the best use of her memory, and Alton listened gravely. "Yes," he