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BnteNi Moordinff to ths Aot «f tiM ParKament of Canada in the (MBm of tiM lOnliiter «l Agrioulture bgr tbe National Fububhino Gompaiii; T«rMitok i> t^ 7**' *■« thoYisand eight hundred and . ^ ' Ye Clue ^^u... S^ovi^. The; Canadian ^eJnaTor. CHAPTER I. WESTWARD BOUND. A GROUP of four people sat on the foredeck of one of the steamships of the Canadian Pacific Lake Superior Line as she ploughed her way westward on a certain hoautiful evening in July. The group consisted of two ladies and two gentlemen. The elder of the ladies would have been termed a hand- some woman by two out of e\ ary three people who might observe her, albeit her air and appearance of imperious self-confidence would at first sight probably repel rather than attract the majority of persons. Nevertheless, she was a person whom few would pass by without observing. Her looks and manner commanded attention and seenned to demand deference, unless from those whom she was especially desirous of propitiating. Her prominent nose and chin in a face less full and well rounded, and were they separated by smaller and less perfect rows of teeth, would have suggested an early subsidence into a coun- tenance of that variety known as the " nutcracker." Firmly compressed lips intensified the appearance of con- scious power. Her figure w^as generous in outline, and her hair plentifully streaked with grey. Her complexion was dark. Her age, which she could be trusted to keep to THE CANADIAN SENATOR. herself, would probably be placed by an impartial judfje at about six-and-forty. A slender gold watch guard reaching from throat to waist, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses with which she toyed, with more t'^m one ring upon her plump fingers, evidenced a taste fo jewellery. The other lady was a girl just gi'own to wom. ihood Her face was oval in shape, her complexion light and clear ; her eyes large and of hazel tint : her hair, of which she had a pro- fusion, was dark brown. Her mouth denoted sweet tem- per and a loving disposition. Her figure, thongh at present enveloped in a shawl to protect her from the lake breeze, was evidently somewhat slender. The young man who sat by her side was obviously much engrossed by the contemplation of the younger lady. He helped her adjust the shawl more securely over her shoulder when it threat- ened to slip down, and endeavored in a dozen ways to minister to her comfort. He was a good-looking young fellow of twenty-five or thereabouts, blue-eyed and curly- ' aired, with an open and generous countenance and that ippearance of youthful activit37^ which gave promise of lasting into and even beyond middle age. The fourth member of the group was a short stout gentleman of sixty or thereabouts, who sat upon a camp stool, a newspaper spread across his knees, and a dark travelling cap set somewhat jauntily on his head,* in such a way, however, as to cover the balder portion and allow the grey locks, which remained in considerable profusion on the back and sides of his round head, to become the sport of the playful breeze. His beard was short and grizzled ; his features irregular, the nose small and slightly tilted upward ; mouth rather large, the under jaw protrud- ing somewhat beyond its fellow, though perhaps not sufficiently to entitle him to be termed " under hung." His grey eyes twinkled at the elder lady, who sat facing him, evidently bent upon making herself agreeable — the young folks meanwhile taking advantage of the preoccu- pation of the elders with one another, to hang their heads over the bulwarks and indulge in a few tender side glances and a few whispered words. The water was so calm — THE CANADIAN SENATOll. and the evening so beautiful, that tliis seemed quite satifl- fying enough for them, and they looked out to the west, where the great red aun was preparing to sink out of sight, with contentment upon their youthful faces — while their elders chatted on. apparently cac'i engrossed with the priceless thoughts which the other was uttering. If the old gentleman appeared a little less self -forgetful than his companion, possibly it wha due to his being less ac- complished in the art of self-forgetfulness, and less gifted with the power to express at will a deferential interest bv looks, than she. Perhaps the bump of approbation which shoved the travelling cap to an ominous height at the apex of his skull had something to do with it. At any rate, the deference of the hands(^mo lady was plainly not disagreeal>le to him, and he showed it by a readiness to be led off on almost any sort of intellectual excursion for which she might express a taste. " And you have really never visited the Northwest be- fore, Mr. Watkins," said the lady during a pause in the conversation, but not in a tone of disappointment ; rather, indeed, as if the thought that they should make their debut in the great world beyond Superior together were a new source of gratification to her, " and you a Senator, too," she added, as though the principal duty of persons of that exalted estate consisted in their perambulating the great lone land from the great lakes to the Pacific at all seasons. The Senator seized the opportunity to pay a compli- ment with great adroitness, as he replied, " Ah, Mrs. Fitz- grace, but see what I have gained in companionship by waiting until now !" Then perceiving that his playful compliment was not displeasing to the lady, he decided with the promptness of a diplomatist not to imperil the good impression he hpd created by a further sally just then, but resumed rather the senatorial dignity as he continued, " The fact is I have been over a great part of Europe. I have even touched Asia and Africa." He stretched forth his hand as if to repeat the touch. " I know almost every nook and cranny of our own maritime 8 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. provinces — my native lieath as it were. I Jcnow Quebec and Ontario, too, pretty well ; but as yet my knowledge of the Northwest and British Columbia is derived from the blue books, the evidence given in committees, speeches and the newspapers. But you are ripfht, my dear Mrs. Fitz- grace, in supposing that we Senators like to see things for ourselves, and last session I determined that, after a run home for a few weeks, I would take a holiday trip to the Northwest — not exactly a holiday trip either, though it has seemed more like one since your brother introduced us at Owen Sound, and put you in my charge," said the Senator, with a courtly inclination of the head, " but I am determined to thoroughly do the Northwest. We have heard so much about its boundless resources and fertility. Those fellows in the Commons are eternally prating about it. We even hear talk now of a vast Mackenzie River basin of exhaustless wealth, which I should like to test, too, by the light of actual experience." He held up his eye-glasses — for he, too, had a pair with even heavier golden rims, than those of Mrs Fitzgrace — and waved them slowly over an imaginary panorama of the Mackenzie River basin. " Then there's the deeply interesting Indian question. The * old man ' thinks he knows all about it, but I'm inclined to think he doesn't." By the " old man " he was understood to refer, in the slang of the day, to a certain exalted per- sonage then at the head of affairs in Canada. " I thought Sir John knew all about the Indians — that he had an Indian title himself — ' Old To-morrow,' isn't it ?" asked Mrs. Fitzgrace. " I believe some disgruntled warrior gave him that title not underservedly perhaps — and to tell the truth John A. is immensely tickled with it. I want |to investigate their grievances for myself madam — and I want to make an inspection of the C. P. R. There is a big law suit looming up between the company and the government, which threatens to swa^' )W up some millions, if not put a stop to in time. I should like just to see whether the line is what it is said to be, that is, the THE CANADIAN SENATOR. Pacific side. If I run over it I can toll," added the Senator, with confidence. " Ah, how I should like to go on to Victoria, Senator I" exclaimed Mrs. Fitzgrace with cnthusitism. " And why shouldn't you?" A glance at the young couple leaning over the bulwarks and a shako of tlu; head with a sigh expressive of resign- ation, was the only reply vouchsafed, " Mr. Watkins," the lady at length said, " it is becoming a little chilly and if you'll excuse me I think I'll get a shawl from my state-room," She arose as she spoke as did also the Senator, who offered gallantly to accompany her. They passed through the forward saloon where many late diners were still enjoying the excellent six o'cIock dinner being ser/ed, contrary to the usual custom of lake steamers, upon separate tables, by prompt attendants. Mrs. Fitzgrace's state-room, which she occupied jointly with her neice whom she had just left, was in the after part of the ship. Having reached the after saloon, she apparently changed her mind and seating herself on a sofa she looked at the Senator, as if to invite him to a seat beside her, of which he forthwith availed himself. " Mr. Watkins," she said, " I have a grave responsibility resting upon my shoulders." The Senator glanced at these ample shoulders admiringly. His thoughts were still on the problems of the North- West which he was alxjut to solve for the public benefit. But he intimated by his look that he could spare thought for the troubles of so interest- ing a person, and so good a listener, as the widowed sister of his friend Mr. Southcote, had proved herself to be. " You have no doubt guessed something of the relations of my neice and young Rashfellow," she continued. The Senator had observed certain unequivocal symptoms in both of a malady to which he himself had not been a stranger in his youth, and he nodded an assent, " a little spooney " he said. " They have known one another since childhood, and a sort of attachment was formed at a time when they both ought to have been thinking of their school books, or their THE CANADIAN SENATOR. I laythinfjs. Arthur never wus particularly pronnsing, but is father was a nei^^hbor aiul friend of my brother Wil- liam's, and so he let the intimacy continue, even after the death of the lad's father," — she spoke as if that event should have been the .sif^nal f(jr the termination of friendly relations between the two families — " and a sort of quasi engagement sprang up between these young people, though Arthur's father had little enough to leave to his widow and family. The young fellow had tried various things, law, business and other things ; and then, thinking to make his fortune at once, he went to Winnij)eg, and was caught in the * boom ' and sank most of what his father had left him. He managed to save a farm of some sort out of thb wreck, and says he has made a home there which, of course, he thinks Gertrude should share with him. Of course William would have weakly yielded if I had not brought him to some sense of his duty. I persuaded him to let me accompany my neice on a trip to the north-west to show her what sort of a life will be in store for her if she persists in her love-sick fancy. But for me this would probably have been their wedding trip. Yet I hope and trust I shall be able to bring her back cured of her fancy — a girl of her appearance and accomplishments would be just thrown away, on the prairies, milking cows and tending chickens — don't you think so ?" and before the Senator could reply, she went on — " I'm sure you'll agree with me, Mr. Watkins, and I feel that you will give me all the assistance in your power." Now, while the Indian problem, the railway question, and the Mackenzie river basin possessed great attractions for the Senator, he was by no means clear that this new mission, of assisting to sever two hearts which seemed to be beating in dangerous unison, was quite so well suited to his tastes. Yet, when Mr. Southcote, with whom he had been acquainted for many y^ars, as the head of a respec- table Toronto firm of lawyers, had introduced him to his sister on the wharf, and had put her partly in his charge, he had not given him the impression that she was a per- son who would require much looking after. On the con- THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 9 istion, etions I new ed to ;ed to 5 had ispec- o his large, per- con- trary, the brother addressed her in a manner which indi- cated that slie poHsesKcd and was worthy of his confidence. When tit J father parted with the daughter, too, the Sena- tor, wliile he observed a tear in his eye, had heard him enjoin liur to be " guided by her aunt in everything," and lastly, he noticed that his manner to 'he young man, while kindly, had been by no iiiuans eti'usive. Losides all this, it must be confessed that the Senator was beginning to admire the handsome widow, not only for her appearance, but as a person of judgment and discernment — evidenced by the way in which she had received the information on public matters which he had already seen fit to impart. As he had nmch more yet to impart, and as he began to feel that the companionship of an intelligent lady of such excellent judgment would be of great advantage to him in his investigations, — an advantage which he could no longer count upon, if lie should show sympathy with the cause of these misguided young people, — Mr. Watkins readily promised such assistance as he could render. Mrs. Fitzgrace had evidently counted upon this. She rewarded him with one of her sweetest smiles and a look of grati- tude, and then, remarking that it was getting a little late for her neice to remain on deck in the evening air, she went in quest of her — the Senator following once more. The young people had meantime been enjoying the beauties of the evening and each other's society on the foredeck. As they looked out over the blue waters at the great red disc sinking in the west, their hearts were full, though they said but little. Arthur tried to get hold of a small hand beneath the shawl, but the young lady was conscious of the other passengers now gathered on the deck and coyly withdrew it out of hi^ rcvich. Then he looked so reproachful that she had to smile at him, though there was something very like a tear in her eye. " Doesn't it seem as if the sun were going down for the last time — so red and angry, too ?" she presently asked. " Not a bit of it," replied the moj-e hopeful youth, " wait 10 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. till you see him rising on the prairie, Gertie ! That's a sight worth seeing !" ** And when shall I see prairie ?" " Oh, on Saturday when we reach Winnipeg, but you must leave Winnipeg behind before j^ou see the real thi*ig — the mile upon mile of growing crops bowing before the breeze. Wait till we reach the Portage, and I drive you out to my place and you see a sunrise and a sunset there, before you form an opinion of the prairie. — and I can show you as nice a piece of wheat as you'll see in the whole Northwest, I'll be bound. And right glad will Joggins and his wife and Sport, — my dog you know — be to see you, Gertie, I'll answer for that." The young man rattled on while the maiden looked at him and then out over the waters, wistfully. It was growing darker now, and the young man was once more searching for the truant hand, with some chance of success, when the voice of her aunt broke the pleasant spell. "Gertrude,'' she said, "it is growing too chilly, my dear, for you to sit longer on deck, I think. Wont you come in and play something for Mr. Watkins. I'm sure he would like to hear you." The Senator of course had to support this proposition with his best grace, and Miss Southcote dutifully arose and proceeded with her aunt to the saloon, while Arthur with a feeling of being left out in the cold, lit a cigar and lounged about the deck. It was not long however before he found himself on the after deck, looking in at the cabin windows, his eyes rivetted on the piano and the young lady who was playing, now a dreamy waltz, now a snatch of some song and again one of Chopin's exquisite waltzes, while Mrs. Fitzgrace looked on, smiling approval from an armchair, and the Senator sat marking time very badly on the arm of the sofa on which he lolled. The electric liglits were now burning and the passengers were gathering in the saloon, as passengers do upon such occasions, the elders seating themselves quietly to hear what was going for- ward, the novel readers settling themselves in the most 1 advantageous positions to take advantage of the light, ill 4^ THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 11 lile some of the younj^er people approached the piano imed over the music which lay upon it, and looked Imiringly at Miss Southcote as she played. One young ly ventured to ask Gertrude if siie sang, and on learning lat she sang " a little " became so importunate for a song lat the fair performer glanced at her aunt and receiving encouraging nod from Mrs. Fitzgrace, who seemed in [igli good humor this evening, she began a little ballad, rhich she knew that Arthur was fond of and which soon ^rought that young gentleman from his retreat. She had sweet and cultivated, though not a strong voice, which rent straight to the heart of the hearer, and one hearer ^t least it appealed to that night as he thought it never had )efore. The young lady who had asked for the song was lext emboldened to suggest a chorus, on finding a book of )art songs on the piano, and soon a choir was in process of formation, Arthur, who possessed a fine robust tenor, form- ing one of the group who were soon trolling forth " Way lown upon the Swanee river " and other familiar melodies, ^ith the general approval of the assembled passengers, 'he scene is however too familiar to all travellers by jteamboat to bear reproduction in print and we may there- Fore more profitably employ our time by afibrding the reader some further information regarding the particuuhxr ;roup of travellers, whose company ho or she may be [destined to keep, beyond the shores of the lakes. Mrs. Fitzgrace had truly said that the attachment l)e- Itween her neice and Arthur Raslii'ellow was one wliich had had its beginning in early youth. The two young people could not remember a time wiicn they had not known one another. They had played together, walked, boated, driven and ridden together, not only as children )ut in the most impressionable years of youth. Tho}'^ lad picniced on the banks of the Huniber, sailed across the bay, climbed the Rosedale ravines and the hei^'hts of Castle Frank, with many a merry party, but always managmg to pass a good share of the time to- gether. They had built snow giants, thej^ had skated ai!mforts, even the luxuries of life. She had all the |y perception of the modern young lady, of the advan- o£ wealth, civilization and home comforts. She re- Ill HI i -I I \y\\ M rut CANADIAN SENATOtt. garded these things as necessaries. Still she lovf young man well. Had he but these necessaries to off! she would be the happiest of mortals. She even til at times she could bear the want of them witheqiiai] Then thoughts of the house on the prairie — witl piano — so far away from home and frionds, ovcrca and she would weep herself to sleep without havin to any fixed resolution as to whether she could and I bear it for Arthur's sake. She put away the un\ve| thoughts of discomfort and loneliness a,nd mad* mind to wait and see with her own eyes what was inj for her before finally deciding. At one time she woull gone off blindly with Arthur, but her Aunt's interpo had prevented that. And now she felt her nsdi gradually weakening under her Aunt's influence, noJ much was said on either side, more was loft to be inf| than was actually uttered. That question about the] that [very morning, indeed, had made her feel ver comfortable and unhappy. She knew, of course, that liad no piano. But the thought had not troubled her. however, her attention had been called to it in that wn| could not help reflecting how much comfort she had rec^ at home from music, and how very, very lonely it be out on the prairie without a piano to wile awaj] houi-s while Arthur might be absent. Some of thoughts sprang to her mind now, when her lover's tcj seemed on the verge of breaking into dangerous t| again. Her Aunt fortunately at that moment came to| rescue. "Why Gertrude — Mr. Rashfellow, do you inten] remain behind ? We could not think where you couk gone. Don't you see our boat is just about to leav(| dock r The young people, with the house between them anj lock, had not in truth thought of the boat, which theyl barely time to go aboard of before she steamed out oi| lock. m THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 25 CHAPTER III. AN IMPERIAL FEDERATION 1ST. what do you expect will be the future of this great itry, Senator ?" 'he speaker was an active, bright-eyed merclumt, a |or partner in a Montreal commercial house. Vigor self-reliance were stamped upon his face, and showed iselves in his quick movements — he just now facing the [ator as they stood on the steamer's deck. They had langed a few words on the subject of their common [ntry, more especially regarding the north-west The jengers had now come to know and address one another, 5r the manner of passengers on board ship a day or out of port. The Senator was not one of the exclu- de sort, and rather courted than shunned intercourse kh his fellow citizens at all times. This young mer- mt was evidently one of those who are always prepared |exi)ress, and maintain by argument, if need be, their rn opinions, and to accord the same privilege to others. le Senator, as he met the younger man's bright glance, turned a somewhat evasive answer to his question. " I don't know that I am quite prepared to say," was lat he said, "though wherever we are going, J think }'re going a little too fast." A gentleman, who drew near at this moment, put in a [Hear, hear," to this remark. He had made known hih )litical proclivities early in the voyage by many velionunt munciations of the Government, and by announcing liiiii- }lf as a "clear Grit of the grittiest kind." He therefore [pplauded the Senator's remark as a reflection on the Gov- Irnment. "I'm not a politician. Senator, but I beg to differ with rou there," exclaimed the young merchant, with frank rood-humor, and with etirnestness as well, " if I did not torsee for Canada a great and glorious destinj'', I should, )erhaps, express myself in a somewhat similar way. When 26 THE CANADIAN SENATOlt. t ! I reflect who we are and what we are — the possessoi the larger, and I believe, the better half of this great tinent — when I think of its illimitable rcROurces and natural advantages — its climate, its soil, its imnn waterways such as this — when I think of the infai struggles of the past and the milestones left behind, ^\ we nave achieved and what we may yet achieve, mighty part of a mighty Empire, I confess I am not! favor of a parsimonious policy nor of an unprogressive See how favored we are as a nation, Senator ! The vas possession of this vast Empire, the future home of teeming millions, even now affording a main highway her commerce. Ere many years, I believe, we shall be backbone, her granary," the young man went on, indu ing in mixed metaphors, " her park and her paral ground if need be, though I think that once the defensi alliance between the various members of the Empire, whii I look for in the near future, is accomplished, we shi need but a small standing army, indeed, to enforce respei for this, as for every other portion of that greatest Empires, whose supremacy on every ocean and sea shal be acknowledged, who shall hold the blessings of pead freedom and Christian civilization within her might; grasp !" " An Imperial Federationist ?" queried the Senator, the young Montrealer paused in his enthusiastic addrei to watch the white gulls, following in the wake of the' ship, as they swooped down to the water to catch the bits of bread which Gertrude and some of the other ladiesi were casting upon the lake, over the stern of the vessel, for their benefit. "I am," he promptly replied, "and what I fail to understand is how a Canadian can be aught else. When I came of age, my father gave me the option of continuing in his firm or of setting up for mysel& I chose the former, I think wisely. An old school -fellow of mine about the same time was given the same option by his parent, but chafing a little under parental control, my young friend chose to leave the old house on St. Paul Street and open a busini straii to sav| ing tl that 1| own him positij occupj alteri Federl race SenatI Lan< THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 27 business for himself. His small business could not stand the strain of competition with his neighbors, to one of whom, to save himself from being crushed out, he sold out, enter- ing this rival to his father's firm in a position inferior to that his father two years before had otlered him in his own house. Do you think I would change places with him now ? No, indeed. When I think of the honored [position which Canada will, if she is wise, in a few years occupy, within the British Empire, and of the other alternative destinies within her reach, I am an Imperial JFederationist every time !'* " Why not go in for a federation of the Anglo-Saxon Irace ?" put in the gentleman who had applauded the [Senator's cautious remark a few minutes ago. "All right when the time comes," replied the young iFederationist, " but let us set our own house in order first. My young friend in Montreal had dreams, perhaps, when he entered his new firm, of getting back to the parental [house, from which he regretted ever having departed, by Ibringing about an amalgamation of the two, but, alas ! his Inew partners only use his name to help them undermine [the older structure, which has stood honorably by its cus- tomers and the public for half a century, and as my young [friend finds himself obliged to drum the towns and cities in competition with his father's travellers, I warrant [his hopes are growing fainter and fainter. Senator," [continued the young man, " Britain has been the [mother of nations, and has carried freedom and an open [Bible into every clime. I want to see the re-union of [the Anglo-Saxons take place under her glorious flag. Britain has been tried and not found wanting. I'm for full [partnership with the parent. I don't mean in local matters, [but in matters of mutual interest, and I don't care wlu ther [it's by means of a parliament or a council of one man — and Ihis wife, if you lilie — from each self-governing cohmy, providing the wife doesn't rule her husb.md," he added, as |his eyes wandered involuntaiily towards Mrs. Fitzgrace, 'ho sat a short distance from them with a book in her land, which she was ostensibly engaged in reading, while )-. ! ! i I il i 2a THE CANADIAN SENATOR. her alert eye was taking in all that was going forward] within her range of vision. The dissertation of his fellow traveller on Iraperiall Federation failed to draw out the Senator, who looked! upon the subject as of too visionary a character to engage! the serious attention of a practical statesman, and, conl trary to his usual habit, he said nothing, but withdrew to] the quarter of the deck where Mrs. Fitzgrace sat, leavino] his whilom supporter and the young Montrealer to finish j the subject. Meantime Arthur Rashfellow and a young man from! Brandon were discussing the respective merits and advan- tages of that young city and Portage la Prairie, the toAvnl to which more than any other, Arthur now claimed to] " belong." "We have the best farming land in the whole nor-i west," said Arthur proudly, " there is practically no reach- ing the bottom of our rich top-soil. With such a country, how can the town help prospering ? I've heard it's different I with some other places, where the farms are liable to be] blown away, unless they're held down by the mortgages." " Well, it's better to have them held down by mortgages I than by water," retorted the young Brandonian. " Your * slough * covers what should be the best land around your town — a veritable 'Slough of Despond,' convenient enough for the whole town to slip into some day — if it doesn't kill you all with fever and ague first." " Very fine talk for one coming from a town which may slide down its side-hill some rainy day," replied Arthur,] alluding to Brandon's picturesque site. From all which, it will be seen that the young nor'-j wester is nothing if not locally patriotic, yet quite pre- pared to stand up for the whole north-west, including all ' rival towns, if occasion demands a wider patriotism. Arthur did not care to have this young Brandon j man's playful strictures upon the Portage reach thei ears of Gertrude, or more especially her aunt, not that there was anything in them, but for fear a prejudice j against the place should be excited in the minds of the ,«H»» THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 20 \es, whom he desired should be rather impressed by its Tactions. Mrs. Fitzgrnce and tlie Senator, howevci-, heard the youn^ men's badinaijfe, (wliich in reality mt nothing but a little fun) and the former a moment ir said, I" Mr. Watkins, I'm sure that Portaije la Prairie must be '•eadful place. What in the name of conscience, is a ?' I declare I'm almost afraid to go there with poor ftrude; what if she or I, or both of us should be ;ken down with fever and ague ? I shudder at the ightr f' I had always understood that the Poi^tage was one oi' J healthiest, as well as most favorably situated of norfh- |t towns, yet that young man's words certainly rai.sc ;i )icion as to the salubrity of the locality." f'lf my brother were only with us," suggested Mis fegrace, "I shouldn't mind, you know." [' On the ground that men are not susceptible to fever ague — unless the fever of speculation, which is apt to \g on the ague afterwards. However let your mind easy, my dear madam. I myself will accompany you portage la Prairie and brave the dangers of this ' sloo,' jed b», rather than you should suffer the loss of your ^e of mind," said the Senator, bowing gallantly, as igh he had just offered to accompan}^ the ladies across Sahara, or to the top of the Pyrenees, instead of sixty ks out of Winnipeg, in the direction he himself was ['Thanks, Mr. Watkins," replied the widow, "but we )ose staying a day or two in Winnipeg before going on, [perhaps it would be hoping too much to expect you to lect your important public duties to attend on two rotected females." She quite ignored Mr. Kashfellow escort, it was plain. I' As to that, my dear madam, I must see Winnipeg of 3e — and as well going as coming, so let us consider matter settled " and again the Senator bowed. You are so kind, Mr. Watkins," and the lady shot a |co into the Senator's eyes, which caused him to resolve ;i m 80 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. forthwith that he would take up his abode at the PortagJ for three months if necessary for their complete protection] As for Gertrude, notwithstanding the presence of Arthur] notwithstanding that they were sometimes, though noj often alone to_cother, that they more frequantly sat m walked the deck or sang at the piano together undni the watchful eye ot* her aunt, and that the great lake wa^i calm — it cannot be said that she was altogetlier happy j The weight of her aunt's disapproval seemed to presi heavily upon her. The distance from home, from whiclj she had never wa'idered far, the vastness of this great| inland sea, when they lost sight of land altogether, coiij tributed to her feelini^of unrest. Had her father been here iii place of her aunt, or had she been alone with Arthur, the (lie| cast, travelling to her home in the west, she felt it would havtl been different, and she would have been contented. As it! was, Mrs. Fitzgrace's presence and supervision seemed toj pervade her as the spirit of discontent. She felt that her! aunt was disinterested in her motives, and meant well bv her, but this only added to the difficulty of her position! At night, as the fog, so common on Lake Superior, \\m upon them and she lay in her berth, the dismal blast ofl the fog whistle, repeated at short intervals all through tliel long night, made her shiver more and more with eaclil repetition of its dirge-like tone and filled her mind witli dark presentiments of evil, until she was ready almost tol cry out in despair. She began to wish she had never leftl home, and the feeling gained force. She was, in fact] thoroughly homesick and dispirited, and the knowlcdgel that her lover was near her was not sufficient to drivel away this feeling of despair. Would it ever leave her That was the question which again and again presentee itself to the poor girl's mind and refused to be satis-j factorily answered. When the morning came, and thej fog had not lifted, she felt as nervous and dispirited as! ever. Her aunt's manner was kind and solicitous. Arthurl looked rather cast down and unhappy. Gertrude made ai desperate effort to be gay and cheerful, and failed utterly. Then she asked to be excused and again sought her b«rtli. THE CANADIAN 8ENAT0K. II Some three hours later when, roused by her aunt, ^rtrude once more appeared on deck, she found the seen* changed as to turn away all thoughtc for the time from lerself. They were about entering the far-famed Thunder )ay, and as she gazed at the mighty towering Thunder fape, the fog now dispelled, the sun breaking through le clouds and bringing out soft colors on the face of this hant ; as, entering the vast and beauteous bay, her eyes fell [ponPie Island and the more distant McKay Mountain, swept ^er the nestling town of Port Arthur on the distant lore, then once again turned to contemplate that grand id awful cape, the girl felt lifted for the time being out her perplexities and completely forgot them in the randeur of the scene. Exclamations of wonder and admiration were heard on 11 bides. Even the Senator forgot for a time who he was, he gazed. Then for a half hour or more his glasses' jemed glued to his nose, while he endeavored to supplement leir power by a pair of binoculars belonging to the cap- lin, while he sought for the mouth of the Kaministiquia, )out whose shoals and bar he had heard so much in Par- [ainont. About noon they reached the wharf, and soon, Ike the rest of the ship's passengers, were inspecting the leasant and beautifully situated lakeport of the north- rest, much as they had done the Sault some twenty-four [ours before. They gazed at the displays of quartz and )ar, walked up the gently rising streets, took a land view the great bay, and returned to the hotel for dinner. n CHAPTER IV. AT WINNIPEG. LT noon on a fine July day there stepped from the last leeper of the Canadian Pacific Express, which had just rrived at Winnipeg from the east, an elderly gentleman, lort and stout, a handsome lady of middle age, a pretty 'II I' ! II 'I il i : r ill S2 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. young lady of slender figure, and a good-looking, curlvj haired young man. The discerning reader need hardly \i informed that the Hon. Ezra Watkins, Senator ; MiJ Fitzgrace, Miss Southcote, and Mr. Artliur Rashfelloi composed this somewhat distinguished party. They had left Port Arthur at 14:30 precisely, and come througlj without mishap. The Senator had enjoyed the trip amazi ingly, sitting by the side of Mrs. Fitzgrace -most of tii| previous afternoon and that forenoon. He had been up a;| daybreak this morning, note-book in hand, that he miglil judge of the roadbed which had been the subject of sJ much controversy, and might catch a glimpse of tht] beauties of Rat Portage and its vicinity. He had succeedoi; in arousin^f the interest of Mrs. Fitz^c^'ace to such an e.\J tent that that lady had actually appeared from the state j room occupied by herself and her neice, just before i\v\ train passed over Tunnel Island, and again took a seal beside Mr. Watkins, and as the train passed through tliJ tunnel, Mr. Rashfellow long afterwards made the assertiorJ to Gertrude that he saw or heard — but as Mr. Rashfellowl was at the time in his berth, and presumably fast asleep] and as, moreover, his testimony can scarcely be accepto' as unpr(3Judiced, it will be better to pass over his asscrj tion, and proceed with the narration of well authenticate! historical facts in connection with this most momentoul summer trip of Senator Watkins. The scenery on anj about Tunnel Island had certainly an exhilirating effecj upon the Senator. He talked in his best vein, that is t[ say, very much in the first person singular, with an occal sional first person plural, including his handsome fellowj passenger, whom it was evident he more and more reganlj ed as a person worthy of his best conversational effort and even of his confidence. Arthur did not neglect the opportunity aflforded by tli* confidences of the seniors to indulge in some little contij dences with the girl of his he? rt, though conscious that tM alert eye of the aunt was most of the time upon him aiil the object of his love, either directly or through thj mem him at the period alluded] and, through the influence of her aunt, had been persuivl that she ought not to reply to them and had been \\ wretched in consequence. The eyes of the aunt were U[J her now, and what could she do, or say, further thaiij feel and look guilty ? At the hotel, as soon as rooms were secured, the pan immediately lunched, as Arthur had arranged to go on| the Poi-tage by the first train, which wculd leave in aloj an hour's time, and look over his farm and set his house] order in anticipation of the advent of the ladies there, how anxiously he looked forward to that time. How wished that everything might look its best and that \li modest home might seem attractive in her eyes. He darJ not hope that it would find favor in the eyes of m Fitzgrace, but, if only Gertrude would feel it possible! stay with him there, he cared not whether her aunt mvA like it or not. *' Au revoir — not good-bye — Mr. Rashfellow," said Mil Fitzg' ace, gracefully enough, as he rose to leave. " We slia see you ou Tuesday." A pressure of Gertrude's hand, wiij a downcast look and a little smile — almost the first he h received that morning, for the headache had not departtj yet — an assurance from the Senator, that he, too, would at the Portage on Tuesday, and Arthur was off. The ladies betook themselves to their rooms for res| and the Senator shortly after strolled out to see morei the town. An hour later he was sitting in the smoking room the Manitoba Club, to which an acquaintance whom he ha met on the street had taken him. He was ensconced an arm chair, while a number of gentlemen sat around i| varied and comfortable attitudes. The Senator had beei introduced to all present, with the exception of Mr. Grahan the young merchant and imperial f ederationist of Montrea whose acquaintance he had formed on the boat, who ha just lunched at the Club. Mr. Watkins was in his glor THE CANADIAN SENATOR 85 r, as a cipfar between thumb and forefinger, and a gla88 of impagne beside his elbow, he recounted his impressions the journey so far, and of the road-bed of the C. P. 11., [far as he had been able to inspect it. Thence the con- ation naturally led to railway matters generally, a )ic just then uppermost in Winnipeg. Tho Provincial kernment was about to commence the construction of Red River Valley railway, its act of incorporation hav- been once disallowed by the Dominion Government. " And you want the veto power wiped out, eh ?" queried Senator. " Certainly," replied one of the Winnipeg gentlemen, rhy should tho old man say * we cannot check Manitoba,' " then disallow our act ?" "As I understand it," rejoined the Senator, " he meant Lt the central Government could not put an irritating ^ck rein upon your Legislature, but he did not say they lid go in any direction they pleased without any chance bheir act being vetoed. We may have no right to put a ie\ bearing rein upon a horse, but that does not imply it we must toss the reins across his back and give up all Itrol." " Too metaphysical, Senator, too metaphysical by half !" )rfed the champion of provincial rights. " What use iking off the check rein, and then pulling the horse on haunches with a curb- bit ?" Here Mr. Graham quietly interposed. " Both sides are, link, to a certain extent right. When the horse is well ^ken to harness he will have all the freedom he requires, jkilful driver keeps his horse well in hand until he )ws he will go steadily in harness, else he would soon [rturn the coach. Forgive me if I say that what you lent Manitobans forget is, that we are not in a one- rse conveyance. It is laudable of the young horse to ph to pull more than his share of the load ; but if he be reined jn a little, a catastrophe is inevitable. The man,* as driver, has to take care that the young Mani- kan nag does not run aw^ay and wreck the turnout. Ai in as he is sure of you, I predict you will have all the J6 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. ! I ' III 'I 1 \m\ In ti! : freedom you require, ))ut the C. P. R. is the wagf^on] tongue, and the nation's coinincrcc must follow it, and ouJ 1 Provincial horses should pull with and alongside it, ani i not try to kick it to pieces." "All very fine, Graham. Of course you want us t] always pull in the direction of Montreal. But you niayl make up your mind that the Manitoba horse is goin^ t' run away, if it doesn't ^et this boundary railway !" " Well, well," interposed the Senator, "you're going tl have another railway to the boundary, and one to Hudsoii<| Bay. What next — what next ?" " \Vhy, haven't you heard, Senator ? " replied a youiij :man, with a twinkling eye, who had not before flpokeiil ((the men were mostly young), " this year we expect th^l Red River Valley will be built. Next year the loconio tive whistle will be heard at Hudson's Bay. The Winni peg and Alaska Air Line is next. It is to run from heivi to the mouth of the Yukon in Alaska, to connect witlJ the Hudson's Bay road in the east, and with St. Petcrsj burg by a tiunsfer ferry across Bchring Straits on the! west. It is expected to take all the summer travel." " Shut up ; minion of the C. P. R. !" shouted the pro- vincial rights champion, while Aiurmurs of " Put him out tht; window ! " " Strangle him ! " and similar murderous throat came from all sides. The Senator k '^^ed from one i(\ another in amazement. To him a railway to Alaska seemed no more extravagant an idea than one to Hudson's Bay. "That's just like you fellows," exclaimed the young] offender. " I propose to pour the wealth of the Mackenzie River basin into your laps, metaphorically speaking, and you won't have ii, because the line would run north-west instead of somewhere where it would hurt your friends | and do you no good." " And when it was completed, the C. P. R. would swallow it and the MackcLzie River basin, too, at onei gulp," retorted one of the others. The friend who had brought the Senator to th» club I find put him up as a visiting member having, on th« grtund ■-.»■ THE CANADIAN SENATOR. tr a previous engagement, excised himself and gone away ne time before, Mr. Watkiiis and Mr. Gralmm, who were lyinrj at the same hotel, left the Winnipeggers to finish [eir discussion and departed. "Are they altogether snno, think you?" asked tlie ^nator, gravely, as they reached the street. " Oh, yes, for the most \mrt, perfectly level-headed and earnest. Though there is a good deal of private .sclitm- and corruption, the heart of Winnipeg is sound, and |e hulk of her men patriotic. They are mostly young m, as you have observed, but full of hope and ambition their country. Young Canada rules here ; they are jund to have this Red River V^alley road too, and, I (lieve, will have it. They went through an experience the time of the " boom," which will, let us hope, keep' mi out of wildcat ventuies for the future. They have: )wn wonderful powers of recuperation. You would I ircely credit it, were I to describe to you the saturnaiia.'. lich I witnessed in the winter of '82. Across tli«)reyV'' Ll Graham, pointing across the street, as they reached hotel, " stood one of the favourite auction rooms, and [other just around the corner, where crowds stood Iding day and night for little 25x100 foot lots they had o)dy never seen, but which might be under water half year round for aught they knew — bidding, too, for a mile out on the prairie, what could not be got for )d lots within Montreal or Toronto. I saw that corner there," he pointed to a cross street to the west, ^nocked down in the auction room across the way for renty thousand dollars to a man who was soon after- Lrds willing to pay thousands to be released from his rgain, and had to purchase immunity by a long and Jtly law suit. The worst feature was that the vendors be a church corporation — a church building stood on the )t when sold. The churches were not above enriching jmselves at the expense of the innocent, and souglit to )ke money by the cupidity of others. This hotel was a khing mass, day and night, of land speculators, while id offices were er.ected in the corner of all the public I I ( I / h il!l ;ii '^iiiiii i Ini \n ! piDi B8 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. roomd. It was the same everywhere, and the consumptioij of champagne was appalling ! But excuse me, if I chano the subject, Senator. I met young Rashfellow here iJ the thick of it, at that time, and have met him in mij periodical trips to the north-west several times since, he — is there anything between him and the pretty youn^ lady who is with you ?" " I believe there is some sort of foolish entanglemeiit| which her aunt, Mrs. Fitzgrace, is just now anxious unravel." "Ah, I see," remarked Mr. Graham, dryly as thj Senator, leaving him, ascended the staircase. " But talvj care," the young merchant added to himself, " that w] she is unravelling that web with your assistance, you ar not caught in the meshes yourself!" Mr. Graham's iD| terest in the young pair of lovers had become somewha aroused during the course of the trip up from Ontarid Arthur he had known, as he had said, for some years, buj had known little of his history. During the trip he hal noticed many things — for he was an observant, though noj impertinent or prying, man — which he thought strange the moment, and which he now began to- understand. Ej liked the young man, and was taken with the appearanc^ of the young lady. Meanwhile Gertrude had kept to her room, racked witi| nervous headache. The day of anti-pyrine had not yej come, and her malady had to run its course. She wa wretched, and had not strength even to wish herself bettej Towards evening her head throbbed less, and the Senatcl suggested to her aunt that they should all three go anl hear the " Pirates of Penzance " at the Opera House. Tl this Gertrude merely replied by a shake of the head whei it was mentioned to her, ana her aunt did not press her tl go, neither would she leave the hotel without her neici so it came to pass that she and the Senator spent thl greater part of the evening togethc : in the hotel drawing room. He found her as agreeal)le as ever, an attentivj listener (a rare and excellent qualification), while what slij said was always sensible and to the point. And then tlij THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 39 it could not be overlooked, especially by one who was Ending an evening alone in her company, that she was a very handsome, a remarkahli/ handsome woman, the lator began to think, now that his attention had, as it |re, been called to the point. Next morning being Sunday, the two ladies were )rted by Mr. Watkiiis to the beautiful church of the |ly Trinity, where good music and an excellent sermon a soothing effect upon Gertrude. Her elders had time )bserve the congregation as well, whom they were a lie surprised to find, if anything, better dressed and jtcr looking than the congregations they were accus- led to seeing in old Canada. In the afternoon Mrs. Fitzgrace and Gertrude went to some friends who knew nothing of their coming, but )se address they had obtained fj'om mutual friends at le, just before leaving. The Senator found the club Lin a very pleasant afternoon resort. CHAPTER V. AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE. >R Arthur Rashfellow, as his train whirled him towards Portage on that Saturday afternoon, could not help [ing a sinking of the heart. He hummed a tune at to keep up his courage, but it died away on his lips, jn he went into the smoking compartment and tried to jrt his mind with a cigar and conversation w'ith some laintances he met, but all to no purpose. Finally he U'ned to his first seat and remained looking out of the idow until the train reached Portage la Prairie. ^his should hav^e been the happiest of days for him, ho had he been bringing the girl of his heart as a bride us home. That happiness, he believed, he would now experiencing, were it not for the meddlesome Mrs. Sgrace, who stood in his way, as a marplot for all his il'j!' ,.!liin.i|j!i''' 'HMJil 40 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. plans. Had he not been constant enough to win the loj of any girl, and the confidence of any reasonable parent f guardian ? Had he not loved her dearly, even from chilj hood up, and would her affection for him, which she many and many times expressed, even in words, thou more often by glances and gentle pressures of the ha and all the other little signs, which, when spread ov many years, bring certainty of a real affection to the mij of the recipient ; would this affection now turn to inditfj ence ? Gertrude was rather a self-contained girl, so as words were concerned, but this only made her signs I preference the more significant, and then had she not loj ago plighted troth with him ? Was she going back, m that he had prepared a home for her ? To be sure it not much of a home, and unless her love was warm steadfast as he knew his was, her life would be lonely dreary — and then he was seized with an ague of doubt i despondency — what a home, after all, to bring such a tenJ flower to ! Could he expect her to accept the lot ? If J would but stay though ; if love and tender treatm| could make the prairie blossom the year round, and house a comfortable, or at least an endurable one, woj he not lavish these upon her without stint or selfishnej So in alternate hope and dread the time passed, until train pulled up at the Portage. Arthur had telegraphed his man to meet him. Wt he got off the train he looked around for his m in and | horses in vain. He walked around the station, looked ! and down the street, but could see nothing of the missil Joggins, At last he hailed the driver of the last which was leaving the station for the town, asking hinil he had seen Joggins or his horses-, anywhere. The driver, who was but a lad, broke into a broad grin, nud^^ a young companion who sat beside him, and pointing his whip in the direction of the town, lashed his hor into the semblance of a trot, Arthur having already clined a proffered " lift " down town in his conveyance. Arthur started for town on foot, in hope of meetij the man on the way. When he reached Saskatchev THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 41 was warm ivenue, the principal street of the place, he dropped into the h'st liotel and enquired wliether anything had been seen of Foyg-ins — Yes, the bar-keeper said, he liad been in an hour )r so ago, and had had a drink, and gone out again. He lad caught a glimpse of the horses too, standing outside, ^nioking as if with fast driving. Then Arthur walked )ward the old part of tlie town, to the cast. Passing the H'ick town hall building, he went on to Main street, and lown that principal business thorougl^fare of old Portage la ^rairie, making for a tavern at which he knew liis man sometimes put up when sent by him to town. Here as he kurned into the stable yard he received a sliglit shock — the |ight" democrat " which he usually drove, which was in fact lis only conveyance, excepting a light buckboard and a leavy wagon — the conveyance in which lie had hoped to bo drive his guests in a day or two out to his farm, with some comfort and a little "style" — stood in the yard among number of other wagons, carts and buckboards, with rery evident signs of reo.ent rough usuage. The dash- )oard was partly torn off, and two or three spokes of one )f the forewheels were badly smashed, the whole wheel )eing " sprung." " Yes, pretty badly sprung, ain't it ? " said the hostler, as Li'thur gave the wheel a shake *• but it ain't a patchin' to the way the man is ' sprung * " ne added, as he led the way |to the stable, and proceeded to stir a mass of limp humanity, stretched on some straw in one of the stalls, with the toe lof his boot. A snort was the only response from this Iniass, which presently in the dim light began to assume [the shape of a man lying face downwards, the garments [presenting a familiar appearance to the eyes of Arthur. " He's been havin' jest a dandy time, you bet," remarked [Jim, the hostler, " ever since y i III ■i ' ' i \\\i i Mlllll! Il w\ I' I i' li formerly taken a pride in driving, but which now showed unmistakable signs of pretty rough usage. One had a cut on his flank, while both were trembling and exhausted,] and still hot from recent exercise. Arthur heaved a sigh as he looked at the horses, and I then turned his attention to Joggins, who appeared to be in the condition recognized as a common form of " para- 1 lysis," the symptoms of which are usually utter helpless- ness, accompanied bv a very strong smell of Canadian whiskey — symptoms which were both present in this most deplorable case. Jim a^ain stirred his patient with the boot and shook his head solemnly, after the manner of a medical man with a hopeless case. He even played the role so far as to lead the way quietly out of the stable before he again spoke, though thei'e seemed no danger of the patient overhearing, or at any rate apprehending any- thing which might be said. " You see," said Jim, " whiskey fetches them Er jlisli fellows, most every tii.ie. No sooner'd you gone to On- tario afore he began comin' into town pretty reg'lar, most every day in fact, sometimes with his missus and some- times alone, an* always havin* a high ole time afore he left. And from the number o' times I seen that two-gallon jar o* his'n comin' in an' out, I guess he kep' it up pretty well to home, too. And," added Jim, in a stage whisper, "1 reckon his wife ain't much behind him. She ain't with him to-day, but I've seen her many a time pretty jolly, too !" This was painful news to Arthur, who had left this couple in charge of the farm, with full confidence that they were just the people whom he could safely trust to look after the place and keep everything in the best of order. He had known little or nothing about them when they came to him early in the spring, but they were good workers, had no children, seemed to know their place, and soon won their way to his favor, in so much that, as has been already said, he left the farm in their charge when he went east, after seeding time, with the fullest confi- dence that all would be well. He had never seen the man THE CANADIAN SENATOK. u the worse of liquor but once, and then ho had been so ishamed of himself afterwards when taxed with it, that [Arthur felt safe from a repetition of this lapse for the Ifuture, while the wife, though he had known her take a Iglass in time of supposed sickness, he by no means sus- Ipected of being addicted to intemperate habits. His worst fears were soon to be realized. After obtain- ing a hired conveyance from a neighboring livery, and having had his horses fed and rubbed down by Jim, with [the latter's assistance he managed to get Joggius, who had Iliad time to sleep himself half sober, to his feet and into the conveyance. He would have abandoned him on the spot, but for the sake of the man's wife, who he knew must be at home. Then taking up the reins, lie rewarded Jim with a half-dollar, and set out upon his seven mile drive in no pleasurable frame of mind. He had put Joggins in the back seat of the conversance that [lie might escape the fumes of stale whiskey with which ithe man was reeking, and, himself in the front seat, they started amidst the laughter of the stragglers about the liotel and stable yard; and those of his acquaintance wliom he encountered on the road only added fuel to the flame now raging within him, by broad smiles and in many cases jests which seemed to him exceedingly coarse and out of place : " Who's your passenger — a guest from Ontario ?" demanded one, while the next sliouted : " Drive easy, Rash — the gentleman's asleep ! " It was about half-past seven as lie approaclied his house. If his reflections on board tlio train had not been altogether comforting, they were much less so dming this drive homeward on this quiet July evening. Mingled feelings of wrath at his l)es' )tte(l companion and fears for the state of things which he might tind at home filled his mind for the time being, to the excdusion pretty much of all else, though occasionally his thoughts \voul(l wander off to Gertrude, until a snore from Joggins would arouse him from his reverie. The sun was setting as he first discerned his house across the prairie, and at the same moment his quick eye detected some dark objects movin;^ in the yeliu.v I'i ;44 I'HE CANADIAN SENATOR. il I < li III §mm i I Ml ! I ! ! I HI h ; I'll '! ! fitlJ zi favoriiie wheat he had mentioned to Gertrude oJ board the si .earner. What could they be ? He urgej forward the 1 orses, one ot* wliich sliowed signs of lanieiicsj and both of fatigue, as they moved along the trail. A fev minutes and his fears were confirmed. It was a herd oi cattle in his wheat ! He turned to the man behind, wlil was slowly regaining his senses and demanded an explanaJ tion. but none was forthcoming and he again urged fori ward his horses. A couple of miles had yet to be madj and quickly they sped along until at length he drew rein afc the edge of the broad wheat-field wherein half a dozeJ head of cattle — his own — were enjoying themselves, soma feeding, others lying down quietly, while their marks and trails were everywhere. He jumped out, and Joggins, wh(j had now regained his senses, followed him, glad of thJ opportunity to have attention diverted from himseli They rushed in and drove the cattle out and along thd trail, until they reached a large field enclosed by a wirJ fence into which they turned them. Arthur returned fee his horses and took them to thd stable and put them up himself, not trusting to Jogginsj who merely lent a hand in unharnessing. Then he pro-f ceeded to the house, Joggins following shortly after. Asl Arthur entered the door of his dwelling he called "Betsy,"! — the houseliold name of Mrs. Joggins — but received nol reply. He had entered by the kitchen door, expecting tol find her employed there, but the fire was out, and sol apparently was Betsy. He passed by into his sitting-roomj his favorite and chief living-room in the house, where liel ate, smoked, read, and in fact spent most of his indoor! hours when at home. It had many easy chairs, and al large and very comfortable sofa, or rather a broad. Hat lounge, and on this lay the woman slumbering, her hairl and clothes in disorder, while his best pair of decantersl empty, and a tumbler on the table beside her, told the tale of how her afternoon had been spent. The room was in I grea,c disorder. The presence of Joggins' working boots, hat and clothes in prominent positions about the room,! showed that it had been appropriated and used by th« tatt CAlJADtAN SENAtOll. 41 lervants as their living room also in his absence. What ittracted Arthijr's attention above everything, however, ras a medium sized box, which he recognized as belong- \ng to Mrs. Joggins and which stood open in the middle of tlie room and in wliich seemed to be stowed in some con- cision the most valuable articles he had in the house, Icutlery, silver spoons, some old vases and mantel orna- liiients, a quantity of linen, silver candlesticks, a pair of [revolvers, and many other small valuables. Arthur went out and brought Joggins into the room iHe ghuiced at his wife uneasily, and when his eye lightea I on the box, he gave a start. " Wake up that woman," said Arthur, who had scarcely I spoken a word since he had left the Pv^rtage. Joggins obeyed, and gave his wife a rough shaking. She sat up, [rubbed her eyes with her knuckles and took a look round. Her eyes usually leaden in hue, were bloodshot, her cheelNS flushed. She had been a good looking woman enough, but but there was a coarseness about the mouth always, and her recent debauch had brought out all her coarseness and given her a sodden and uncanny appearance, which to Arthur was very repulsive. " Mercy on me, but it's master," she exclaimed as she tlirew her feet on the ground and began to smooth her hair with the palms of her hands. " Who let the cattle into the wheat and what does this mean ? " demanded Arthur, pointing to the box. The woman answered the first part of the question first. This gave her time to prepare a reply to the latter part. Had Arthur been a lawyer, probably he would have put the last query and insisted on an answer to it first. " The cattle — in the wheat," she said slowly, as she went to the window and looked out in the direction of the wheat field, " well I declare to goodness ; they boys is so careless — Joe," referring to a small boy who sometimes acted as herdsman for Rashfellow, and lived with his parents some little distance away, " Joe brought 'em 'ome hours agone, '«« must a' left t' paddock gat© open," she said, ■' \i I Ml 46 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. ;l ! Iliii';! • iiiiiiiiiiili ''11 'till ! i II M and as her eye met Arthur's which now rested on the box, sb continued: " we was fri«^litoned by a trainp a few days agoni an' as Jolin vere agone to town, an' so of'en away,.d'yi see, I thoui^ht as 'ow I'd put them things away safely til{ wanted. We know'd nowt about your comin' to-day, sir This was true, as Arthur's telegram had not been sent oui to the farm, and when the telegraph agent saw Joggiii: in town, he at once concluded tliat he was not in a con dition to comprehend its meaning and so it liad lain in thi office. " And what brought you to towm, Joggins ?" Arthur de manded, turning fiercely to the man, who stood sullenl looking at his wife. The man made no answer, am Arthur, whose wratli had now been pent up for hours, turned upon botli as he said, " I don't believe a word ofl this ! You intended to rob mo, but your drunkenness hd over-reached you ! You can take yourselve; off as fast as you like. Stay a moment," he added, " I owe you a month's wages I believe, and though you don't deserve it, I'll pay] you up and then you can go, or if you prefer to wait till! the horses are fed I'll drive you to town myself." As he| spoke he handed the man the money. The man looked sullen, but the woman grew defiant, " Rob, did you say ! Have a care, Master Rashfell'. Ye've no call to treat us like this. We've bin faithful servants, and we'll have the law o' ye." " Shall I harness the horses or will you walk ?" was Arthur's only response to this, as he turned to the man. " Naw," replied John. " We came afoot an' we'll go the same way, if so be as you've turned us hout T " All right, pack your traps and I'll take them to town to-morrow or Monday, if that will do ?" "Monday '11 be time enough. We wouldn't know where to pi\t 'em to-morrow. Come along. Betsy, don't 'ce be danglin' here no longer. We'll go wher j we'll be treated like 'uman bein's. Not like dogs by an upstart master with which parting shot Joggins strode out of the door, shortly after followed by his wife with a small bundle, their boxes having meantime been hastily packed and I'll THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 47 lem to town 1^ ke(i by her, under Arthur's eye, after all his valuables d been removed from her chest. Arthur again went out and took a hasty survey of the nco. Everywhere signs of carelessness and inattention the part of his servants apj)eared. A garden full of eeds, a dirty stable, filth piled up even at the kitchen or, everything his eyes rested on told the same tale. He oiildhavc returnovl.<> ^nt |bosi(lo him in front, seemed to be enjoyinf^ the scene, while Ix'liind Mr^ Fitzgrace and the Senator were chattini^ and lau<,diing, apparently in hif^li good humor. One vahsc for i\\o ladies, and the Senators travelling hag were the only lu;^rir.ige encumbering them, as Arthur had some difhculty in persuading them to come out even for one niglit, the ciders exhibiting at the station a preference for the town anil the comforts of the best hotel, of which, doubtless, they had been informed at Winnipeg fully, so they brought only such necessaries as a very brief visit demanded, leav- ing their lieavier luggage at the station. " I can't see the house yet," said Gertrude. " My eyes are not as used to it as yours. How like an ocean it does seem, and how varied and beautiful the tints — yellow, (lark green, light green, — and see the effect of that little cloud as its shadow sails over the green and turns it almost to blue !" Arthur was too delighted at seeing her enjoy the scene to break the spell by his common-place speech. " But are there no orchards — no fruit ?" Arthur winced a little. " Orchards are something we have to do without as yet. It is thoufijht, however, that the hardier varieties of fruit — the Russian apples and other fruit will do well here," he added hopefully. " The prairie is very beautiful to-day," said the girl. " Oh, see those dear little flowers ! You must get me some — what are they ?" she exclaimed. " Just common prairie flowers, such iS you will walk on every time you take a tramp across country." He jumped out as he spoke, handing her the reins, and pluck- ing a handful of flowers, returned with them in a few minutes, casting them in her lap. He ran out again for more, and performed the same service for Mrs. Fitzgrace. " How sweet they look," said Gertrude, gathering the flowers together and fastening them at her waist. " Did I not hear you say you have had trouble with your servants, Mr. Ixashfellow ?" asked Mrs. Fitagrace, 1. 'ililil .1 llh: ililllliiilli ,|.,|„4, III m 50 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. whose quick ear luid takon in most of what was heinp^sald in front, even wliilo she listened smilingly to the Senaton| roundetl periods. •'I should rather think I liad," ho replied. "I packoill them oil for di-unkenness and attempted thieving;, as soonj as I reached home. They wen> a ha*! pair, so I have siiico hoard from many in tlu^ town. I was told to-day that th* man is suppose(| to hav(» h-i't ICngland under a cloud, tluul he is sus[)eeted of havin*,'" heen a criminal of some sort. I] took them without characters, and curtaiidy have'n't any to give them. I thought I saw them lurking in that coulf over tliere yesterday, and have hoard nothing of their having since heen seen in town. I took their traps in on Sunday and left thom at the tavern, which was their cliiot'l resort, as tliey desired, and the things are there yet. I'm afraid they're up to no good — or more likely are finishint,' their iiiiili. n !,i!i ii I : 'I! II M n TH2 CANADIAN SENATOtL afraid of his life up to this moment to look at her aa approached his home, but now he turned on her a moisten(j eye of gratitude and love, which would have touched much less tender heart than that of the young lady besiii him. The trail or road by which they approached tt house took a sweep to the right of the cottage and at tli first turn Arthur drew up, preferring that his guests shoui| alight there rather than that they should be dropp d at tli end of the verandah or the kitchen door behind, tli| ordinary modes of entrance to the house, according to tli station of the visitor. He preferred that on this occasic they should approach his house from the front in prope state. As he jumped to the ground with the reins in haiif) he turned to assist Gertrude to alight, forgetting the auE for a moment in the agitation at receiving his lady-love his own home. The Senator was out in a trice, howeveil and made up for the younger man's delinquency by assist! ing Mrs. Fitzgrace to the ground with safety and a digniti which said as much for his muscle as for his gallantry — fol the carriage was a high one. "I must make some steps here," said Arthur, as he handeij the reins to Tom, who had now appeared, and led the guest across his lawn to the house, where he placed tht! ladies in charge of Jemima, who conducted them to one oil the two apartments into which the house was divideil upstairs by a small hall way. This latter was lit only by thel door- ways on eitiier side when open by day and by a| bracket lamp by night. He himself took the Senator tol the other apartment opposite that of the ladies'. The latter! was a cheerful a.nd well aired, though plainly furnishedl room, containing, however, two beds, and th.at most necesi sary article to a lady, a good glass. A few flowers, a| colored rug or two, an embroidered table cover, a few! bright panels and placques on the walls, showed that Arthur's care had not been altogether confined to outside ornamentation. Jemima explained that the ladies were welcome to occupy Mr. Rashfellow's room, which was below stairs and smaller, if they preferred it. Both ladies de- eided promptly in favor of the room they were in- -th« I THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 53 mt net desiring to disturb existing arrangements, as she ^shed to make their stay as brief as possible — Gertrude, jcause the room showed signs, she thought, of having ien prepared for her — and both having the fear of sleep- (g downstairs in a house where all the men are aloft — a jling common to most ladies under similar circumstances, \ongh in some instances an unfortunate preference, aa ibsequent events showed. As Gertrude stood looking out of the solitary window their apartment toward the setting sun, a feeling of re seemed to steal over her. The sublimity, and at the Lrae time the dreariness of the prospect, filled her with pflicting emotions. The sparse poplar trees about the )use in no way obscured the view from this window. [er eyes swept at a glance the boundless plain. A single )luff " or bit of bush and a couple of distant farm houses [ere the only objects to break the monotony or to suggest Was this a vision of her future life should she remain re ? All was bright, 'twas true, but oh, so lonely ! It as one thing to drive over the plain through waving fields, side a gay companion, and another to look alone through upper window at the prospect. The loyed companion ould, she remembered, be always with her — always ? e spirit of the vast plain seemed to answer her thought ith mocking, and then the great red sun began to sink 'om view. She turned from the window with a sigh. er aunt had been quietly brushing her hair before the ass and endeavoring to read turough the mirror her niece's oughts. She deemed it best to keep silence until rtrude should first speak. She had real affection for r niece. Throughout this trip she had, though ever tchful, been kind and considerate in her manner to ir. She had forborne from crossing her in small matters d from setting her will in opposition to the girl's. The ter knew her opinion and that was enough. She tched and waited the course of events, ever ready ough to take advantage of any circumstance, should it ur, which would enable her to further her niece's wel- That reicuinj; her from her present position with n '.i I 4. l 54 IBE CANADIAN SENATOR M 1 „„„ „ mw II ' ii I its impending dangers would be promoting her welfan best, she never for an instant doubted. But how that! rescue was to be brought about she could not at present! foresee. She must watch and wait, as heretofore, for thJ present. She kissed the girl, in whose eye a tear glistened] but said not a word, and together a few minutes after they went down stairs. The evening was not a specially bright nor a particu- larly unhappy one. The Senator was the only one of the party who was in a perfectly contented frame of mind, He seemed to have taken a fresh lease of life, in some way, at Winnipeg, and since leaving there his spirits had con- tinued to rise, until now he seemed the life and soul of the party at the combination of dinner and tea — Jemima termed it supper — to which they sat down. He recounted to his young host his Winnipeg experiences — most of them at least — including what he had heard and seen at the club. He commented on the fine physique of the men, ascribing it in part to the climate and in part to the fresh hope ancVvigor which a new life in a new country inspired, He even criticized the ladies. The younger ones exhibited the same freshness and vigor as the men, but those in middle life, he thought, lacked the charm, the softu^ess of manner, if he might so term it, of their sisters in the older provinces. The Senator became just a trifle confused here, but Mrs. Fitzgrace helped him out with a smile, and he continued to sail along without further mishap during the meal and during the balance of the evening which was spent by the party on the verandah. Arthur was too obviously nervous and fidgety for sustained conversation — even were his conversational powers equal at any time to the task. Mrs. Fitzgrace was outwardly serene but inwardly anxious. Gertrude was quiet and subdued. Arthur made an ineffectual attempt ) detach the party into pairs. He had, however, made tiie strategical blunder of taking the whole party directly tliey rose from the table out to his garden, so that he could not make that resort an excuse for another excursion thither with Gertrude alont. He could not offer to take her to the stable. > ill! l^tS CANADIAN SENATOR. 55 i;'; \ralk down the road which they had so recently driven ip seemed superfluous, but as his other resources were jxhausted, he ventured to mildly snggest it. Mrs. Fitz- rrace said she thought Gertrude must be very tired. jertrude did not deny it and remained seated. Arthui-, in his new role of host, could not rise and exhibit alacrity to leave his elder guests by themselves, though to be sure blie Senator made no signs of protest. Every avenue seemed closed. Arthur was not an inventive genius or it Diight have occurred to him to offer to show the young (ady something deeply interesting indoors, but it did not strike him that there was anything deeply interesting for liin to show, or if there was, perhaps, he thought Mrs. ^itzgrace would desire to see it, too. So he decided to Intike the bast of matters and wait the course of events mtil the morrow if need be. At length, as darkness closed (n Mrs. Fitzgrace asked her neice if she was tired enough for bed. " Yes, aunt," was the quiet response, and the (iidies rose to retire. Refreshments were proffered and leclined with thanks, and a moment later the ladies were jone, and Arthur remained harassed by doubts as to the finpression his surroundings — his home environment — had iiade upon the girl he loved. The Senator and he passed a [lalf hour over their cigars, and then the former expressing lIso a desire for rest, Arthur escorted him upstairs to his jhamber. As he descended the young host felt that, but |[or the snores which were proceeding in alternate cadences, -like antiphonal chanting — from two pairs of lungs in the sliamber over the kitchen, where Tom and Jemima were sleeping, the house would be as noiseless and lonely as on the last night he spent alone there, after the dismissal of Toggins and his wife. He went to bed, but sleep mocked Anxiety as to his impending fate seemed to drive iim. ut all thought of rest. But he had had a lohg day com- iiencing at daylight with preparations for his guests' ar- ival, and a troubled sleep at length fell upon him. He reamed of Gertrude, of her aunt, and of the Senator. He hought the latter was driving the girl off over the prairie, eaving him alone with the aunt, whose brow darkened .v.u.t ' 'I M tHE CANADIAN SENATOH. and face became distorted into frightful shapes. Then ihj too sailed off over the plain. Next Tom and Jemima aJ peared with Joggins and his wife in hot pursuit, andU alone was left. At length he fell into a deep sleep. CHAPTER VII. A NIGHT ON THE PRAIRIE. > :i Arthur must have slept for some two hours or moi] when a growl from Sport, lying under the bed, caused hiij to partially open hia eyes. The day seemed to be dawnii as it appeared light without. He closed his eyes agaii when a peculiar crackling sound attracted his attention aLJ a loud bark from the dog brought him out of bed and the window. The house was on fire ! ! He saw the flamij leaping around the corner of the house near which th kitchen joined it, while a great lurid light told him thai the kitchen itself must be in flames. Cries from the uppJ portion of this wing told the same tale. His own room m fast filling with smoko. In an instant he had donned suq garments as he could snatch and rushed from his room in oii of the front corners of the house to the hall, to which, tohj horror, he saw that the flames had gained access from the re| and already encircled the stairs. Back to his room he darte — not daring to open the front door for fear of causing fresh draught. Slamming his own door behind him he m out of the window in an instant, intent only on one objectH to gain access to the ladies' sleeping-room above, from whicl the flames had now cut off access from within. He knej just where his only ladder stood against the stable whej he had seen Tom place it that morning. Oh, so far thefej yards seemed, as he sped over the ground and grasped tl[ ladder, swinging it from its resting-place and carrying almost upright towards the house. As he passed til kitchen he saw the figure of Tom half out of the up{ window, his screaming wife behind him. He had only tii THS CANADIAN SENATOR. ^7 cry : " Drop from the window for your lives I It's only few feet !" for the kitchen was lower than the main buila- " Gertrude !" he cried wildly, as he stumbled along fth the weight of the ladder before him. He dropped it linst the house, under th^ upper window, which it failed reach by some feet. He clambered up. Mrs. Fitz^-ace il already raised the window to its full height. " She is jed by the smoke and fainting," she said, pointing into |e room with one hand, while she held the sash with the ler. " Quick — descend," he cried. He leaped into the room d Mrs. Fitzgrace made her exit as best she might and d upon the ladder ready to carry her neice to the und. " No, no," cried Arthur, " leave her to me !" Seizing [e sash with a wrench he pulled it from its place and it 1 crashing on the floor. He seized the now prostrate rm of the fainting girl and almost choked with |e smoke, bore her to the window through which he itiously made his way, just as her aunt reached |e ground. The fragile form seemed limp and life- is in his arms. Merciful heavens, what if she be id ! He almost fell with his burden at the thought, len steadying himself with a great effort descended cauti- isly and laid the girl on the grass at her aunt's feet. The tier and Jemima, who had dropped unhurt from her [ndow, now knelt beside her, while Tom assisted Arthur transfer the ladder to the other side of the house, to ich the Senator's window. Fortunately for him, Mr. fatkins' side of the house was the last which the flames backed, and as Arthur and Tom came round the corner fth the ladder the Senator was seated on his window Ige apparently measuring the distance to the ground Ith his eye, before venturing on a fall. ITis travelling and some garments were already tossed upon the grass. " Mrs. Fitzgrace !" he shouted. " Safe with all the others." As they placed the ladder for him the flames leapt ind and up the side of the bouse and over the )£. )i 58 THE CANADIAI^ SENATOR. mrrr M till 1 ii Hi " Oh 1 my notebook !" sighed the Senator as he reacli the ground, remembering that he had left in on the tall above. The flames now leapt and played with the boards rafters of the house as though they were but pasteboa A stiff breeze was blowing, whirling sparks and cinders! all directions, but chiefly towards the stable. In its A many holes were already being burnt. Quickly the \i der was transferred to the stable. Arthur armed hims with a pail of water and climbed the ladder, while T() went in and loosing the afl'righted horses with some litj difficulty got them out. It was too late to save the staH however. It was not a large building, and barns thj were none. From his elevation on the ladder, Arthur sal that a greater danger was impending. Here and the! burning pieces of wood were settling on the ground, ready the flames about the house had driven the wom!| to the garden where, Gertrude now revived, they stood j the safety its surface, free from grass and other material, afforded. But the flames were now licking the short grass about the house, eating their way in the d] ection the wind blew. The flying cinders were carrying daj ger everywhere in that direction. The weather had been and the grass everywhere inflammable. Many of the cio were fast ripening and could not probably withstand tl flames. Unless checked at once a flood of fire would I let loose upon the country, whose extent no man could tel Arthur rushed into the burning stable, seized some empj bags, and arming himself and the other men with the he sent Tom forward to beat out incipient fire wherever 1 could find it, while the Senator and he attacked the advan ing flames in the grass about the house. It was a stubboj fight. Arthur rushed along the line of fire beatingl vigorously at every step. The Senator too showed wondeif activity for a man of his years, as he plied his sack in it face of the advancing foe. The fire continued to gaj slowly at first but gathering force as it advanced. A bro piece of uncultivated prairie land covered with tall gra parched by drought, stood not far off in rear of the hoii THE CANADIAN SENATOR, 59 the flames got into this Arthur knew but too well that (thing could withstand them. The garden formed an stacle to their advance on the one hand and a small field J turnips at some distance oft on the other. Between these |o oases the two men worked with a will. But, as has jn said, the fire was gaining on then. Had the season jn more advanced it would possibly ere this have been ling over the plain. Just as Arthur was beginning tode- lir of stemming the tide, Providence came to tlieir aid. The riit was dark and a stiff breeze, as has been said, had m blowing. This had suddenly died away and a cloud inky blacb jss stood over them. A vivid flash and [almost simultaneous crash was immediately followed by lownpour of drenching rain which drowned the greedy knes as effectually as though a tidal wave had struck ^m. Only some smouldering embers of the burned build- remained alive and these had not long to live. The men de their way to the garden, Arthur guiding by shouts others through the drenching storm, and here he soon jnd the three women gathered in a root-house or cellar, [ere the vegetables were kept. Soon all were within welcome shelter, though no one could see another. rtrude's voice guided Arthur to her and placing his arm bt her he pressed her to his bosom and kissed her lipS; . she returned the kiss. He quickly released her however le was drenched with wet and felt her shiver. Neither ^hei)i spoke — they were too full of emotion at present for that. [As the Senator stumbled into the root-house he asked \he darkness, " Caroline, are you safe ?" and the darkness wcred, " Yes, Ezra, perfectly safe." The two christian les uttered apparently in the voices of the Senator and Fitzofrace attracted the attention even of the amtated ing couple standing near. Sudden dangers shared in niion often create sudden intimacies, but " Caroline " Ezra " on the lips of the Senator and Mrs. Fitzgnace ^oked passing wonder even in the bewildered mind of trude. f I'm drenched through," exclaimed Mr. Watkin*. 60 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. ' ifilllliliiliillllil An exclamation of " Oh, you Jrowned rat !" from Jemima,! seemed naturally directed at the Senator, until ccrtiiiDl osculatory sounds and the voice of Tom i-emarkin^, ' It i\ wet, you bet !" told of the reunion of the only married couplj of the party, and that her exclamation had been called fortlif by the pressure of his dripping arms. " There are some boxes here," said Arthur, " on whiclJ the ladies can sit," and he felt about until he had securcdi one each for Mrs. Fitzii^race and Gertrude — while 'J'oiiJ found one also for his wife. " Have you any idea how this dreadful fire ..tarted, Mr] Rashfellow," asked Mrs. Fitzgvace in her clear voice. " Was there fire in the kitchen when you went to hoaj Jemima ?" Arthur asked in turn. *' A littler fire in the stove, but I closed the dampers and it seemed all safe," the woman answered. " Then I fear the house must have been set on fire- thought I don't know who would be capable of such diabolical act. That fellow Joggins is the only person can think of, and I can't think what object he could have] unless revenge, and if that were it, to set the stable on firl would have been sufficient, one would think — unless hj were maddened by drink. If there were anyone about should have expected my dog to have spoken sooner." " Might he not have recognized by some of the sens-] so keen in a setter those familiar to the place and so lateh] belonging to it, even at night." " Possibly — I think the fire must have started near tliJ junction of the house and kitchen. A table stands inside] near there. Was there a lamp in the kitchen, Tom ?" " We left a lamp on the table, but it was put out." Further discussion as to the cause of the fire ceased Arthur seated himself on the edge of the box besidj Gertrude and drew her hand within his and silence reigned for some inoments. Mrs. Fitzgrace's voice again pierce^ the darkness. " Had you any insurance ?" she asked. " Not a dollar/' Arthur answered in a woe-begonj voicd, %r- THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 61 you're nearest the door, open it ["Very improvident — very," remarked the Senator. A le sympathetic pressure from Gertrude's hand was the \r fellow's only comfort now. There was a long pause^ ^he end of which Mrs. Fitz<,aace said, " How close and Bfy this place is becoming." *' Tom," said Arthur, " you'n Icment'" 'hey knew not whether the rain had ceased or not. ly had shut the door and sealed themselves as securely sardines in a box. A huge mound of earth covered Ir cavern on top and sides. Tom felt about for the door, ]ed it open, and let in the light of day ! [t was rather a motley group which emerged from that house into the light. Gertrude and her aunt fortun- had wraps, which they had thrown about them at [first alarm. Jemima had a shawl and petticoat over Iniirht dress. Tom and Arthur were in their shirt The former had no boots, while Arthur had only ir of wigwam slippers into which he had thrust his IS he was quitting his room. The Senator presented very dignified appearance as he emerged. He had time to don a waistcoat, one flap buttoned two holes its fellow, and put on boots, and had thrown his tnd bag out of the window, but had omitted fastening [uspenders in his haste, and these now dangled at his His jaunty travelling cap rather added to the latorial aspect of his costume. It was difficult for [a Senator of the Dominion to emerge from a root into the broad daylight, in this guise, with becoming [considerable number of farmers, attracted and alarmed sight of the fire, which must have been plainly for many miles around, had gathered about the The whole party was quickly taken charge of by a English friend of Arthur's and driven to his farm, a ules distant, as fast as a fleet pair of horses could them. The Senator had meantime recovered his )aking wet, and travelling bag, which lay on the it portion of the grass below the window. These i'^, ■1 i es THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 'I il'l ! iiiiHi! ! and Sport, with tho horsea, were all, save themseli which had escaped from the burning buildings, now ^ in smoking ruins. CHAPTER \III. THE RETURN. I":!!|i|!f!i!!i!i|ij| 'n!| ill „„,„ f •iiii"""" "Yes, G.rtie, the fates are against me. T have nothinj hope for, nothing to look forward to, apart from i dearest. And now if you cast me oft', everything wc living for will be blotted out ! Think of the years I toiied and waitod-r- cf the cup of joy to bo snatched {J my lips, thif^ time you would say forever ! Oil Cert| have been imprudei)t, mad — whatever you care to me — but I love you so dearly !" and the young man liii]| face in his hands. She stifled an inclination to bursL into tears andlj her head up bravely. "I do not reproach you, Aitj dear, how could I ? You have been all in all to me, Artf as you say I — have been to you — " " I did not say, * have been,* Gertie. 1 say you ar\ in all to me !" cried the young man passionately. " Listen, Arthur dear, you say the Fates are agiil you. Say rather that an all-wise Providence ordains! you and I should live — apart. It is neither your dJ nor mine, that this should be so. But is it not inevitf that so it must be ?" " No ! a thousand times no, my darling Gertie ll young man almost shouted. Then checking himself he[ plaintively "give me but another trial. Do not cut from hope forever. I know I have been foolish, rashj prudent — everything tliat you can charge in that way] was worse than folly in me to neglect the ordinary caution of prudent people, to insure my property, never thought " " Hush, Arthur — dear Arthur — I will hear no nio| that. If sudden prosperity be your portion in tbe fii ^#-- THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 63 [Would not have you think my love depends on that — I ive loved you — I shall always love you, dearest Arthur," \e with difficulty repressed a sob. Then added with jecision, " but I am unwilling that you shall in future be irdeiied by one so unfitted by training and in every [hur way to be a fanner's wife as myself, and I do not mt to see you give uj) the life which suits you and in lich you have been successful. Some other than I would a liL'lp and comfort to you in more ways than I with town training could ever pretend to bo. I — I — shall |ver — marry. I can promise you that," she said smiling lly. " The time is coming when my father will need mo jhome more than now. My mother is not strong and I ^r may not live many years. Aunt Caroline cannot be isiilcred a fixture there," — she had reasons which she not mention for thinking this. Arthur thought the ber she ceased to be a fixture the better — " and what lid poor papa do without me ? " " You are determined to throw me over, Gertie ! Would leaven I could persuade you to stay here. I know that lid be unreasonable^ to expect. If I continue my farm- I must be near my farm, and I could not ask you to as I may have to live for some months. When I am Imy feet once more and have a home to offer you it [lit be otherwise. But if farming life is distasteful to I'll sell my farm and try my hand at something else. TO anywhere, do anything, if only you'll go with me or nise to, after a time — I'd go back to Toronto if I thought ^e was the slightest opening for me there." [* You have made a success of farming, Arthur. Do not it up. Believe me, what I say I'm sure is for the What is success to me if you do not share it ? I shall Imy farm and go further West and try my luck. If I le a great strike, perhaps you wont object to my com- hack to try my luck with you again. If I don't do |hing much, it won't mati ', I can perhaps get into a jtry where there is plenty of hunting and fishing — I as well die among the Indiat s as elsewhere." 64 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. ** Arthur, you are cruel me to me now." " No more so than you to me ; since you are goin^ oq this afternoon, abandoning me without hope for the futurJ I have mbnitted I cannot well press you to stay now. Buf for that disastrous fire, I hope you would have .stayed, brought you up here into danger, and gave you a friglij which I believe is turning your heart against me. Thanll Oud I managed to rescue you from a fearful death. Had! not, I think I should have thrown myself in the flames i well." " How can I ever forget your noble conduct, Arthi dear. You know I never shall. It is to save you froij having such an incubus as I was that night perpetuallj weighing you down, that I say what I do. I believe I aj right. I shall never cease to — to think of you, and slia pray for your welfare always." | " I see you are bound to give me up, so I had better ( at once !" and the young man seized his hat and made fj the door. There he turned and came back for a moment' " Gertie," he said, quietly, " I shall not see you alone. I shall go away too. If I am successful I shall cod for you again. If I die in the desert you may never kncj it. Good b3'e," he took her in his arms and press(d!l lips to her?-. She made no resistance. And so they partt She stood for some time looking out of the windd down the broad and then straggling street i* Portagel Prairie known as Saskatchewan Avenue. They had driven into the Portage the day before, leaving the frienij shelter afforded by Arthur's friends and neighbors, Brown and his wife, a hospitable young English couj who made their stay as pleasant as circumstances wo] allow, during the few hours they remained w^th them af the fire. The Browns had pressed them to stay lonj but thej^ were now in need of the trunks they had Icf] the station, and besides that, Mrs. Fitzgrace was anxiouj get Gertrude oiit of the neighborhood and on her way M as soon as possible. The girl had received f shock from events of the fire which had given her a horror of the! of the late lamented prairie cottage, and her aunt thougl THE CANADIAN SENATOR. «l ;11 to take advantage of lier present feeling to carry het )nie ttffain. On that cvciiiiif,' (Jertrude informed her aunt her intentions with re;,':ii(l to Arthur, and, having in- ilcrt'd in some further confidt-nces, Mr.s. Fitzgrace went to »ep witli a feelinr (h^parltMl a oo\i|)l(< of liours h\.U\v on li| way across tho contituMit. On lliiscontinuMtiou nl' iiin tr| k will not lu> MtHM^ssary to ncconipMiiy liini, Tor it in uiidiri stoini that ho is writiiijjf a viM'y lull ncconnt of it hiiiiscl nuioh TuIKm' and uu>rtM-(>a(lal»l(» no (haiht than il coiildl iHa«l(» Ihm'o. ^vhi('h will ho jjfi\'on to tla^ puMio rv*^ I<>"{J^- llj had aoooMjplisluMl son»(>thin;j; alrt'ad}', as will presently iiion Tully appear. Ih^now st^t hiinseli' to the task of studyiii tho ottindry, its pt>opl(> and their sm'iMal wants. Ihsstn pod at oaoh <>r thi* prineipal points for a day or so, visilii st^voral ol' tlu* Indian l((»se''.(»s, took a hath or two nt I'mii onjoyod tho soonory t>r tlie luudvies and ])ulle(l up finally Viotoiia. w hon* ho spout a fortnight ludoro retuinin^', V( pleasantly. On i\u' rt^turn trip an incident occuired to vvhicli luil loforonco may ho uiadt\ assoniethin"^' afterwards turned wi (>n it. The Senatt>r had visit(»(l a nund>er of Indian luii for tlio purpose* of i>l)S(M'vine^ thiMr ctaalition for hinisell' n stuMUiLT NvhothtM" any ahuses (^xistiMl. lie had iidther chiefs and luid of couis(» lieiud jyood many complaijits of a more or h\ss serious chaructt principally, however, rolatino* to the scarcity of food nii tohacco, hut which in almost all cases the oflicials ii t'\e spot wiM'o aMo in sonu* manner to explain awiil IVrhaps t' Indians were biiuij^ well fed and well irente| IVrluips the ollicials were too shr.rp for the Senator, this as it may. tho Senator was retin'ninly wliit-n collnr, l,li(i ^riH^nil rd'ccfc <>|' tliJH sitiirtiiu'iit wiiH rn-llwi* clcrirnl ilnm otluTwiHo. Ilo lin,(l JmikmI wIk) Mhi Sciiniur wmh IVoiri i\w, aiv \t(>vU'.r. Ifirin^ lilt lui cMiiir Iroiiuui iiMlinn cniititry, Mm S<'ii»i(/(>r \n\'(tv\in'.(\ llii tliiit. \\o iin Hiviuiifi-v. VcH, lJi<< Sciiiilor HJiid, ln! Iin.it Icnsl, owint( to tlw; in- |('iiti(»n or vvoi'wo, ol' th 70 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. I'!'! #■■■ i) Pi, turning several hundred miles by rail, and then makin a journey of several hundreds more across an udJ inhabited country traversed by several troublesomJ rivers, a journey which Mr. McWhirterhad made but a fe J days before — the Senator said he certainly would have gon| to the reserve to see for himself that, whereof he ha been told. However his informant was so fresh from thJ reserve, and gave his facts with such particularity, anl was withal so respectable and reputable a witness — a miuJ ister he understood him to say, of one of the large PrJ testant bodies — that he, the Senator, asked leave to makiT use of the information imparted to him, to which Mi| McWhirter readily assented, furnishing also an addre where he might be communicated with, in case furthei information were required. They parted at Winnipeg! where Mr. McWhirter said he had business, the Senatoj pursuing his homeward joirney with as little delay possible. lllliiiiHiiiiii Il'jl Hjl i i The followino^ letter from Mrs. Fitzgrace to her brothei was received by him at Toronto a few days after the dt parture of the ladies from the Portage. It will compleb the account of their north-west trip so far as the reader! concerned. . Winnipeg, July 1 6th, 1 887. My Df ' William, — As we have made a stoppage fori few days h ^ j before proceeding on our homeward journey] shall devote a portion of it to giving you an account of ou doings since I last wrote you from this place. I knowyoj will be most anxious to hear the result of our trip, so fart least as Gertrude is concerned. As we go home by the rail route and intend getting off at Gravenhurst on thJ way down, to join Mary and the children at the cottagej while you, I know, will then be in Toronto — I write the lines, though by the time they reach you we shall be safel| housed in Muskoka. To make a long story as short i possible, Gertrude is rescued. I felt all along it would THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 71 We spent but one night out on the prairie at th*;^ lace which was to have been her home, and such a night. see there is an account of it in all the papers here, as no oubt there will be in the Toronto papers, which, with he despatch I sent you from Portage la Prairie, wall have iven you an idea of our terrilJe adventure. I am bound o say the young man behaved with admirable courage ivl presence of mind in the crisis, as did also Mr. Watkin-;, lit you will not be surprised to hear of another instance f Arthur's lack of conunon prudence and forethought, h' had not a dollar of insurance on his property ! Weil, e talks of selling out and going further \ est, and I am uro I wish him no ill fortune. But I am confident you ,'ill now agree with me that dear Gertrude has had most fortunate escape ! I shudder to think what her osition would be now, had she come up here as tJie brute if that young man! ("A rap at mo," said Mr. Southcote ,0 himself as he read. " Perhaps I deserve it.") Ar.d ow William I have another matter to conununicate hich I trust will not give you pain. (" What's cum- ng now ?" thought the lawyer.) When I wrote you 11 Sunday last from here, I tohl you how kind and hou^fhful Mr, Watkins had been, and how hiohlv J ad learned to esteem him even on so short an acquaiutauee. II the day after I wrote you that letter, he asked me to .jcoiD.e his wife and I consented. I know this step will iirprise you, William. My first experience of married life ivas not so happy a one as to readily induce me to embark in he matrimonial ship again. This match, however, seems me so eminently prudent and proper for all parties con- enied, that I have had no hesitation about it. The eiiator is a aear, good man, much devoted to his public uties. He appears to have ample means and no ties, as oth his children are married and have families of their )vvn. He has, I believe, a pleasant home in the maritime )rovinces, where I hope to receive you some day. I hope aertrude will spend a few weeks with us at Ottawa during the dnter, and entre nous I hope I may be able to draw her lind away from her past trouble, and perhaps be of assist- i: 72 THE CANADIAN SENATv">R. iiil ' I „ ii..,iiiiM I "IP ' \f I !l ance in saeing her some day established in life with a partna worthy of her beauty and position. She is in good hcaltlj considering the shock she has had and is behp.vii admirably. She gave the young man to understand tin all must be over between them, I believe. I did not tell hel of my engagement to Mr. Watkins until the evening after the fi.-e, when she told me what her intentions wen with regard to Arthur. We are spending a day or two with our old friends tliJ Andrews. We called on them on the way up, and thej made as promise to stop off with them on our return, aii| I was glad to do so on Gertrude's account — to give hen rest after the exciting scenes she has come through, and i possible to divert her mind by seeing the Winnipeg peoplj celebrating the Queen's J ubilee, which they are doing now in place of last month, for some reason. They had a pro cession and sham battle yesterday morning, besides makinj a start with their new railway. In the afternoon aiif evening we went to see the regatta. The Winnipeg oarsmeil were beaten by the Minneapolis men in one of the races f think. I'm sure there must have been something wrong. was all very nice. We were in the boat club's stand, aloiil with the select two or three hundred, and thousands lookel on from stands outside. A military band played on tlia deck of the boat-house — one that was in the rebellion, (tliJ band not the boat-house, I mean.) Gertrude seeme| pleased, and waved her handkerchief when our men won race. The steamboats here are such absurd affairs, witll wheels behind to push them along. In the evening they hal fireworks and the bombardment of a fort across the riverl and blowing up of a vessel. The effect was really prettjj Myriads of canoes with Chinese lanterns and little woodeiif floats everywhere on the water with Koman| candles stueli| in them, sending up colored balls in every direction. Thf[ men here are almost all handsome. I don't think I shall gel again to-day. It is so far away over the Assinoboyne, (l! never feel sure of my spelling that dreadful name.) I shall get Gertrude to go with the others though. The Senator and I will be married as soon as he returml THE CAN\DIAN SENATOR 78 How and where, will be settled when I reach home. He v/ishcd me to be married on the spot and accompany him across the continent, but of course my duty to you and to Gertrude would not allow of that. Good bye, until we meet inMuskoka — we leave day after to-morrow — and be- lieve me, my dear brother, your afiectionate sister. Caroline Fitzguace. When Mr. Southcote had finished the letter he leaned b rriiunloil " Hut. h»» nrvrr Io\v«m'm his avv\ at mII. IIo'm ^rof, a lii^;li liiii| on- IMMsl l»MV(» JMst ('Oim> IV«»1M loWM. \VI»y ,|(toMu't mimmu (.itmov<» m iimimcIi ( M>. l"'i\'n>Iv. I tlo l)olit>\ «mIm s»>M»r pi»niK *A' yiMiiMMHtl l\n,l('s' V'»'j'vo Wvn {\\'oss'\\\^ \\\) I^oImmI ho \{,'h too lai'^r for Kitnjlv >\(i,;l>v (Ins tii\\(» m(» (>\lunisttMl lM*tw«M«n mwiiii' MUtl sHpprossiMJ morrinuMit llwit l»»» wms olt!i)^«ul totnlvcu tost MMtl ii\»h>lj»«' in M lit ol' lio\ ish liilMritv. Thou sri/ini' \\\o \H\VH lu» 1>»M»1 Mi^jiiii (o Ins work Mini |)f(»s(Mjtly <'li<\V \v<"iv ;\lou;4Ni»lo tho poiiit. M Imp- rook, on top ol' w liich Mtood ilit> i>l]ii>\" of »v num t'Mi«Mwll\- I'JMtl in Mr. Sontlu'otr'H island Hiiil of I'lothtv"^. whii'h \\v mIwmvn loft iM'liiiul hin». and toi)|»(»d liy nn o\\\ Mnd \v»^ll worn sil' hat. A liMn«lk(*n'hi(d' lluttiMcij at tlu> (Mid y^( {\\c outsti'tuvhod MiMn. A yoiui^ \f\r\ of twclvo boinulod o\\{ from lu^hind (lit' rock at tho sound of tlKU»ai>; aiul ok'ippod \wv lianils in i^lot* (>h.(uM"tnhh\ Aunt Carolin** ; >Vi»n' yoii vory much ■ ,,)• | fright iMUH I <' I mMd«0\alfof luni." ami sho tunImmI tovvanls tho l.'indini;" \Ai\co shout in*^ at m-ory stcf.. Sho wa.s a rosy littlo rvinid i'aot'd i;'irl,ni>t nnu'h jvsonihlin;;' (icrtrudo (uthcr in tVa(in\\>< or tiouro. "Who did vou snv l\o lookod liko, Aunt Caroliiu; ?" askt^l I'r.ur.x. puttiji!^ down Ids oMrs. Aunt t\'irolint* aotually hlushod ! hut sho only said, "How o<»uld that absurd thiui^ rosiMuMo aiiyhodyl" and stopivd ashiMV. Tho usl:i!\d was ooniposod ])rincipally of rock, with just onouirh onrth on its suri'aco and in its en v iocs to allow of souio iX''«'or swanl. a few tlowor bods and a small kitchen g-ardon. Quito a i^rovo ol' troos. in some places dense enouiih to bo termed thiekots, manai^ed to ciin;^^ to tho ixx'k. sproadiuiX their roots over its surface and shoving them down into any crack or crevice they could find. In luojiy places they had not soil enough to decently cover (lnMr o' the p |Hiv«'ii,y ul' (III* Huil. 'i'lii' vitiXii^r whm a nxniiy rinnin itinictJirr wii.li ri vrniiidiili niiiniM^ iin)iiri iMiifror(. io ariHo and tlM^n ni«d, lior liali' W)iy, ji4 it. w<"r(\ willi a kiHM. " Voii'd Im^ lt(-l,|,(ir on ilin V(?randali, Mary/'Hlur H/urtrnd(i ItiHHt into t in hi'r inotlirr'H Inp. " Tlit'r(\tlH>ro, my darlin/^nlan^dit<^r, yon an; tiro^l. You'll I'f'cl Ix'ttcr vvhrn your iliin^H aro oil' and yon hav«; a cup ol' ten." She kiMiw i'uU wull that it wa.s not I'a' "gu(! aloncj tlijit nilcfl tlic ^drl. "Oh, ?noth(ir, niothor," waH all that (U'rivwh'. could iimnnur. MrH. Kitz^rac(5 Inid withdrawn to h(!r own ncciisloincd roou), and rnothcrr and da,u^ht(!r wy kisKcd and I'ondlod ono another as ordy mother and Maui^htcr can, " My dear, dear dauffhtor. ThiH worhl is full of HorrowH lund disappointments. You are havin<^ your Hhare, now, I Iknow full well. F^ut you muHt not ^ive way. You are lyounnr and wtron^, and tluiwj trials and diHappointmenis Iwill reveal tli(!mH(dvut r'ourseif in i\u) hands of One who \h stronger and wiser tlmn we." The mother and dau^diter po.ssessed a common bond of religious feeling, and the former felt this to be the bat'est, the only chord to touch just now. As she stroked he girl's hair, she continued to pour out the sympathy for ^hich she knew the daughter's heart yearned, rresently the 7M Tllir. CAN A hi AN Sl'.NAToll. HMn»xyMm ovi^r. (uMlriiilf lM«lli(tn",lil liiMirH' nl' Itrr innMim'M \voi\k\»(v*M MMil lu»\v il liMtl rvrr Ixmmi lln>ir «'Mro (,o jiU'mci vm luM' UN MMH'h M'< |»ortiltlo I'lHiu IrniiMi* mikI vvni ly, no willi MU rll'orl mIu« rnu.rd luMMrll', ilrioil lior p\ oi mii*I mhikv " How Nollisli ol' \ut\ ninlluT. ((• wniry you m (,liir« wny," nIio Mtiiil, " \\\\ (iroti out. I liivo, iiiul will Im< Itilior iiflir a t'Up ol' |«M». MM you MMV, UII<1 M. ITmI." MI»(| MJlt' w iMhlu'W. I oor ( M'r(nnl»» I TImm wmm ImiT tlu« lH«;'iimin^j nl' niimv liMVM o i' lull «M' HOnoW MM« I m( ni;;.;lo l|i<< lii\ti nil. iinrfd'il i'roo rn>u\ (ho Miu'hor ol' IIo|m«, hm it. hjm'iikmI, mii'I wmm imsv Iril't. Slio lit\m I.Iio oiio iili/icji uwwl u'wwi'^ rluMhootl (o w liicl) mIh' IuuI <'illll*^^ iiiui now (I»mI sI\o I\m»I ml Iho «'oi«l, slic !sM(<\v not iiovv lo Miipply its \ >|J\0»V 'VUo (hoiii'lil lluil s\\o littd Im'om ('imI(>I Mini lii'iiitlt :,h to tho o\w sl\o \uu\ IonmmI n(» sloMdrasI ly mikI mo w rll. Im'^^mii io opjM'oss ln>r Miitl (o «lrivo out «»vory oMwm' thon^lit. Why hihi sho i;;oU(> to I ho north wtv^t nt all il' hIio woro no(, pre par«sMo st;iy (horo / ll«>w iMnply and vain hoomumI hor »'oasv>n Tor oa^liti;;' Arthur oil! Was it, Immmuihi^ hIio wa,M wo sollish, th^t sho oouhl not (MkIuj'*^ lh«» lilu ho had with Huch ititiuito pai»»s provithvl for \\ov I Was it hocaUHc^ol' that >v»otohoil tiro in whioii ho Iwul sh<»wn such lu^roisni / 11'. so what u uiookorv suoh lov«» as luM's nnist liavo hcm^mkmI to hiuj. to ilosort hin> in tho hoin* ol* uihmI / 'riii^so lu^art- soaiv hin>4> :><. onoo iH^iran. n(*v«M' s«MMno(i to coa,so 1 t( Tho ooMuujj* ot* hor I'atlx^r tho tlav al'ttM* tluMr arrivni, \\\iu\i- a sliii'ht oroak. but thtMi* livt»s si^ttlod down quit^tly to tl\o v^ld pastiiuos. ni>w' so lon^ ami so vvoll known !>iV\tiu^". tishiuL^. batldui;-. roadiui,^, dozing in hanunocks lvi\oatli tho trtH^s. an oooasional trip across tho ia.ko or ton noii^hboriuij island to visit IVionds, or to tho n(Mii*(»st church for sorvioo. thoso wore tho chiol' i>ccupations of lil't^ at and alxMit Soiithcoto Island. A couplo of sclioolboy t'rioiids of Frank's oanio. and w ith tho thnn* boys and littlo Kate, iiortrudo nvanaLivd to {>ass many hours upon tho water, or oxploi'iui; tho main land, houi's which would otliorvviso have huuiT. oh. so hoavilv on hor hands. Meautimo tho Senator had boon hoard from moro tlimi TIIK OANAIUAN MKNATOH 70 H VVMV," »!' iil'lt r >!' iniuiy VIIM «»«»\V 111' 1»«»)U' uilMvii ukI M<'VV ipply ilM t. Wl.y t\(^ Wn.M NO ,vii.h Miich m» of lluit m/ If ho i>so hoart- w jirrivivl, i\ (luii^ily 11 known lanimoi'k^ Uo or to n »st cluiivli it'o at nntl y friiMuls Itlo Knto. water, or wise have o riicn Fin vvoiiM Mo«»ii lio Ihwt on IiIm liomi'WM,r«l jonrfwy mimI Ik |il(li«< r.ohMiiinhiMtiMii o|' Imm liii.|»|iiiiiMM ini^^lit iii.l lin tlolayoJ. II. woiiM Im« yrl, (|iii(,n a jointioy IVoin tJiJN In liJM lioiiin liy Mio ArlaiilJr aiiil it, woiiM Im Inn \,ni\ I :r O Hl'l\i\ liiiti lioitiP niitl ltt'iii^( Itiiii lin.ck ii^^riin. Itiil< I'o!' Uik ilinhinn' Mi'H. I''il>/.^ra('<« MM,ii\ oiMioilox fil,y)i' in Um (ily f'Iniicli wilJi lull clioii- ncrMnipanicnl., an, Tlmr uniiM lio iJio «liirhMill.ii'M ol' Mio w»'i|(|iri;,r l(r«'ii.ly a w<',l»? )l'lini( 1 1 THE CANADIAN SENATOR 81 CHAPTER X. THE WEDDING. The wedding morn was bright and cloudless. There was just breeze enough blowing to slightly stir the surface of the lake and cause the little steam launch which bore the bridal party towards Ellesmere to feel its motion. This craft was gay with bunting, and white ribbons fluttered fi'om the supports of its awning. Mr. and Mrs. Southcote, (fcrtrude and Katey, with the bride, were its passengers, while Frank and his boy friends followed in the skiff. Mrs. Fitzgrace wore a becoming travelling dress and bonnet of grey. She possessed rare taste in dress and had allowed no feminine weakness to betray her into unnecessary per- sonal adornment. Handsome was her appearance and proud her carriage, indeed, as leaning on her brother's arm she entered the little church, which stood but a few steps from the landing, a few moments after their arrival there. Mrs. Southcote, who seldom left the island during her period of residence there, had made a supreme effort on this occasion. She w^as dressed in the simple costume which she wore on those rare occasions when she attended church. Frank, in his Sunday best, proudly escorted her; while Gertrude in a gauzy summer costume decked with a few flowers and looking very pretty, laughingly took the arm of Charley, Frank's eldest boy friend, leaving Bob, his com- panion and Katey to bring up the rear. In this order they entered the church, where the tilergyman and bridegroom, who had been able to watch the approach of the bridal party across the water, awaited them. The entire summer population of Ellesmere, with many from more distant points on the lake, was gathered in and around the church in all the glory of straw hats, flannels and jerseys. They scrutinized with curiosity the bridegroom, whose grey close cut hair, black frock coat and silk hat were upon the whole commented favorably upon — a few whispered comments as to the companionship of "groy hairs and !1 - 1 l| m Hi: I, 82 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. folly," and a steal tliy reference by one or two of the elder unmarried ladies to the adac^e, "no fool like an old fooL" — alone excepted. On the whole the as- seniblaf^e was a ^ood natured one, grateful for the un- wonted exciteniont afforded them by so unusual an evont as the present, and full of compliments on the oppenraiicc of the ladies. The bridle's stately appearance left notliiiii,' to be de>!ired, while many an admiring glance, from the bronzed youths in lawn temiis and boating costumes of every variety, fell ujion her neice. To more than on(^ the thought presented itself that Ids manly foiin alongside that of this brown-haired beauty would form a more appro}>riate head to the bridal proce^:sion than did the Senator as he marched proudly forth a short time later with his handstmie wife on his arm. The ceremony was quickly and quietly performed. Katey and Bob inspired from some unknown source havhile she looked out into the hazy atmosphere across the lake, her thoughts still farther away. Occasionally she dropped asleep in her hammock by day, but dreams disturbed her rest, and she preferred her waking thoughts to them Mr. Southcote was n ^, slow to observe that Gertrude was unhappy. In former days, when Arthur was in the north- west, he had not forbidden communication between them, and a correspondence had been kept up. Even when he returned the second time to Winnipeg he had not ceased to write her, though whether through the influence of her aunt or from some cause he had not received very frequent letters in return. Now of course no such letters reached her. They had served to keep up her spirits in the former days. " Gertrude is unhappy, William," said Mrs. Southcote in her quiet voice. " I do believe she would have been better off had she married him and made the best of life out there." The CANADIAN SENATOR. 87 "But, my dear, the house was burned over their heads, you are forgetting that," replied her husband, anxious to justify his refusal to sanction the marriage before they set out, in his own eyes as well as in his wife's. " Ah yes, I know William, they would have had a struggle, perhaps harder than she could bear, but the poor crirl is wretched I know." " I see that myself. I think we had better return to town a week or two earlier this year, I have usually tried to save you the crowds and bustle of the Exhibition time. It seems to me we might return before the Exhibi- tion opens this year. Perhaps the stir of the town will do her good. I have one or two business trips to take within a few weeks, too, and shall try and persuade her to accom- pany me. Then during the winter her aunt wishes her to visit Ottawa and life there will be new to her. Things will all come out for the best my dear.", " That is what I often tell her. I have that blessed assurance myself, but it seems gono from her just now completely. The change, as you say, may do her good, liowever." Thri second week in September found them back in their comfortable Toronto house. Under the escort of her father and Frank, Gertrude " did " the Exhibition thoroughly. She went through the main building, dutifully examining every exhibit, as they moved along in the crowded procession of sight-seers, round and round, floor after floor, stopping to watch the operations of the loquacious young ladies who manipulated the sewing machines and type writers, luring the piano and organ men from their stools by a question, that they might lessen the deafening sounds arising from this depart- ment, criticising the needle work, and gazing at articles at whose use she could only guess, while she accepted mechanically the printed advertisements thrust into her hand at every turn. They walked through the machinery hall, the carriage hall, the horticultural hall, where the bright flowers gave her a passing delight. They looked at the poultry and even visited the cattle sheds, and watched 88 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. from their carriji^e tlic acrobatic porforinances, as well as the races in the horse rin^. The heauty of many of tlio Hplendid horses pleased Gertrude, but the vast sea of humanity wliich the grand stand presented positively frightened lier. The music of the many bands raised hor spirits, as music always gave Ikt pleasure. They listencil to the best, and kept at a safe distance from the otlxirs Mr. Southcote kept her at the task of sight seeing duriiif,' several days at intervals, sending her with l*'rank when he could not himself go to the Exhibition groimds, and takintr her out t en by night to sec the iireworks and the evolu- tions of the troops by electric light. He developed into ji most persistent pleasure seeker, and at even the theatie and concert halls, which ordinni'ily he rarely visited, ho. became a constant attendant, mingling in the well dressi'd throng with liis pretty daughter, whose beauty was by no means unobserved, as her recent experiences liad rather increased than diminished the attractiveness of lier appear- ance. Invitations to all manner of society events and other social attentions were not by any means wanting, but Gertrude preferred the society of her father when abroad, and her mother at home, to all others, at tliis period, and to them her wdsh was now law. A fortnight Liter she accompanied her father on a busi- ness trip to some neighboring American cities. Detroit's neatness and its stately river teeming with marine Hie, pleased her. Thence in a luxurious steamer to Cleveland by night, passing down the beautiful Detroit river, the historic old Canadian town of Amherstburg, the archi- pelago of Put-in-Bay, e\er alive by day with excur- sion boats and bands, on to Cleveland, where she en- joyed a drive through its stately Euclid avenue, and a morning stroll about the streets and through the square, with lofty trees and exultant Perry monu- ment, chroniclino: the vietorv of the American Commodore over the British on the lake — then on bv rail to Buflfalo they sped. Here they took only a few hours' rest at a sumptuous hotel, a walk through the busy streets, and a glance at the towering city hall, which served to heighten THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 89 tho enjoyment of a quiet day at the Fiills of Niagara, whose grandeur never palls, and is perlmps best enjoyed when tho autumn tints liavo transformed tho foliage of the trees to soft reds and yellows mingl('(l with the green. As they crossed the lake ncx.t da^ .tnd enteriMl the hay. to lier ever beautiful and beloved, Gertrude thanked her fathcT tor a pleasant week's trip, which she said she had enjoyed exceedingly ; the healthy flush on her cheek, and the histre of her hazel eyes corroborating her testimony that the little excursion had done her much good. He l(X)ked at her fondly and said that he too had enjoyed the brief clmnge. His design was obviously to keep her mind and hody in motion until she had regained her wonted spirits, and that /est for life which healthy youth should possess. Thus the autumn months passed by. TUv New York trip was duly carried out. It was a period of unceasing kindness and consideration for Gertrude, whost; heart was touched, but its soreness ,when she had time to thiwk, was as before. That it would never heal she now iirndy be- lieved. CHAPTER XI. OTTAWA DURING THE SESSION. The session of the Doiriinion Parliament opened in tho winter following the events narrated in previous chapteis, with the customary pomp and circumstance. The cannon boomed, tho band played. His Excellency with his staff' proceeded to the Senate Chamber, the faithful commoneis were summoned and the speech read with all the eustoinary formalities. These have been so fully and faitlifully recorded in the newspapers, which year after year down to the pro- sent day have presented their readers with full details of. this great functon of State, that it would be a work of supererogation, which the reader might justly resent, to describe, it again. One of the foremost amoni*- those who followed the ^0 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. Illi:!: Speaker of the Commons to the Senate Chamber, was a yonn*^ member of thirty-five years or thereabouts of (lis- tinguislied mien and fashionably dressed. He had a quick, dark eye, his features were well cut, and his moustache and whiskers trimmed after the latest mode. His dark hair which was wavy, when his hat was removed showed little of the ravages of time. Scarce a grey hair as yet appeared, and a slight tendency to baldness above the temples on either side of a rather lofty and well formed brow, was the only sign, save a slight thinness at the apex of the crown, of the capillary weakness so common among parliamentarians. Perhaps a longer parliamentary life (for tl' ' ■ was but his second Parliament) and a more frequent use of his hat in the House — for he as yet availed himself but seldom of that privilege — would remedy this apparent anomaly of a thick head of hair in the appearance of u member of Parliament. The ladies, however, who eyed him from the galleries with a good deal of interest, for he was young, wealthy and unmarried, were inclined to think his remaining always uncovered in the House was studied, both with a view to the preservation of his head from bald- ness and for eflfect upon themselves. Be this as it may, it cannot be denied that Mr. George Hatfield, the young maritime province member, was considered one of the best looking, most popular and withal one of the cleverest of the younger members of the Commons. As soon as he was within the Chamber, on the present occasion, he shoved a single eyeglass, which he took from his waistcoat pocket, into his right eye and began a quiet survey of the scene. He glanced but for a moment at the Governor-General and his brilliant staff and the other dignitaries about the throne. His eye quickly wandered over such of the fair shoulders of the ladies as he could, by rising on tiptoe, bring within his range of vision, until it seemed to reach the objects of his search — two ladies in a prominent position, who were already receiving more than a fair share of the attention of their neighbors. " Who are they ?" whispered the wife of a Cabinet Minister of her daughter who was beside her. THE CANADIAN SENATOR, 91 "Senator Watkins* bride, and her nieco I believe," was the whispered reply, " rather severe looking isn't she ?— but handsomely dressed." "Yes, the girl is very pretty though." Scarcely as complimentary were the remarks of some ot the ladies farther back. " Who is that bold looking woman forward there, with tlic pretty girl on her left ?" demanded the wife of a mem- ber of her neighbor, with a slight motion of her fan in the direction indicated. "Oh — indeed," she added, with in- creased interest as she received the required infoiination, " the dear oM Senator," — tlien after another look — " I jnti/ him ! He'll have to mind his p's and (|'s now, I fancy. Ho used to be quite attentive to me in former sessions, do you know That'll be all over with now if I read that woman's face aright. The girl is very handsome though. I see Mr. Hatfield back there with his eyeglass focussed on them. He's struck already, I believe !" " Nonsense !" rejoined the other lady, who was some- what younger and better looking and had received some attention from Mr. Hatfield, which she seemed loath to forget, "he's a nephew of Senator Watkins, don't you know, and it's only natural he should look at his new aunt and her niece, to see how they take it all." " A very short speech," said the elder of the two ladies, with the air of a connoiseur — " and a very poor one." She was of the opposition. " Now he's oft'." This latter remark referred to his Excellency, who that moment left the chamber followed by his staff, while greetings and conversation among the assemblage became general. " Do look at that woman standing there as if she were Lady herself," and the opposition mend)er's wife mentioned the name of the Lady at that time presiding at Rideau Hall. " See how proud old Watkins looks ! He is introducing Sir John to her, I declare ; and he is paying lier a compliment I can see very well — the sly old fox ! He hasn't forgotten that Senator Watkins thought he should have been Speaker of the Senate and probably thinks so f ii IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // {./ ^>^ ''/• •^ M./.. /A"^. «' ^S^ v. <° v.. I.I 1.0 Z^ 1^ ■^ 1^ |2.2 \^ 1125 III 1.4 1.6 '^ .^ > ^;. ^ /^ 'm '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y 14580 (716) 873-4503 A ^^ %^ 92 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 1'.'' W- still — an idea I first put into his head," she said to herself, " and I'll keep it there too if his wife doesn't, though judg- ing by her looks I think she will." " Sir Adolphe is talking to the niece," here put in her companion, " he has always an eye for beauty — though I don't mean to say there's much in her face after all !" Mrs. Watkins and her neice now left the chamber under the Senator's escort. In the lobby Mr. Hatfield joined them. " Ah, my new found aunt," he said bowing, " I told you last evening that you would be the cynosure of all eyes to-day and that you would make the Senator proud — and I have to congratulate you — and Miss Southcote too," and he glanced at Gertrude, who, as she, with heightened color and her quiet well bred air, walked beside her aunt, cer- tainly justified all the compliments which had that day been passed upon her appearance. Her low-neoked white dress became her well. Her figure was, if anything, fuller and more womanly than when last we saw her. As she looked down, Mr. Hatfield rattled on, " I may congratulate myself, too, on being proved a true prophet, though for the matter of that, it didn't require much gift of prophecy to predict a brilliant success for you to-day." Mrs. Watkins took the compliment graciously enough, while Gertrude looked as though she hadn't heard it at all. " Come, George," said the Senator, " don't be paying these ladies too many compliments. Sir John, you know, has done all that for them already — as I have also," he ad- ded, fearing his wife might think his interference unwar- rantable. As they walked about the lobbies for a little, they looked up at the portraits of the speakers. Hatfield drop- ped naturally behind with Gertrude. " Some of us thought ray uncle — the Senator — ought to be up here, but it was * no go.' We hadn't influence enough, and besides, between ourselves, though a good soul, the uncle is at times strangely lacking in tact, and managed that business very badly. But, to change THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 93 unwar- the subject, how pleasant it is to have a fair cousin — you'll let me call you cousin, I hope ? — to show the sights to here. I think you said you had never been in Ottawa until yesterday ? Well, I think you'll enjoy it, for a time at all events. I'm to have a place of honor beside you at the Russell, you know, Avhich will be a great gain over last session, when men at the Club, men at the hotel, and men in the House, were my only consolation." This was per- haps scarcely an accurate description of his past social life, but he was speaking lightly. " There seems to be plenty of ladies," Gertrude re- marked. " Oh yes, of course," he replied, " but if one is seen with the same one twice, it's in everybody's mouth, and we politicians cultivate caution. But you, you see, I may claim as a cousin, and I hope I may be able to do something to recompense you for that privilege." She murmured her thanks. A suspicion flitted across her mind that the younger man had come honestly by a lit- tle of the self esteem which the Senator she knew possessed. But his light talk was something new to her and not un- pleasant. And so they wandered on through the corridors following the lead of the Senator, into the beautiful library where Gertrude gazsd about her in admiration — promising to herself that she would not be slow to avail herself of its privileges — then out through the reading-room, where al- ready a few members had begun their three months' occupation of conning the papers. They went up to the Senators' gallery of the House of Commons for a few minutes, just in time to see the House adjourn, and mace and Speaker disappear. Hatfield accompanied the party to their sleigh, where pleading an engage- ment at the Club he parted from them. The ladies and the Senator, clad in warm furs, enjoyed the bracing air as the creaking runners carried them over the dry snow, piled up on either side in great white heaps. The beauty of the massive triple pile of buildings with their tall towers, the dark bronze monument of Cartier, the terraces and gateways of the Parliament square, half veiled by H y ! ^ -• W '' ' ■l ^ " m ^^&i_ ^ ^H Hp BH ^p'l H pt p 41 [BBy'f, ■'. i K W: 94 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. r'w'ti clouds of swirling snow, which, blown hither and thither by the wind, well nigh hid the new departmental block and other Imildiiigs on the other side of Wellington street from view altogetlier, the slein^lis and foot passengers hurrying hither and thither, but chiefly to or from the Houses of Parliament; all those li^nl iinpressod themselves on Gertrude's mind as they came to the opening earlier in the afternoon, yet seemed to have lost none of their novelty now on their return, so brief was the trip to and from the Russell House. This day was but the beginning of a new phase of life to her. Up to the present her life had been upon the whole a serene and quiet one. Her Aunt, however, luid come to Ottawa determined to see and be seen and to make her presence felt. And it was part of her t cheine, both for the girl's sake and her own, tliat Gertrude should share the new experiences with her. Mrs. Watkins had been in Ottawa before, but only just long enough to re- cognize the advantage to a lady in her present position of having a young and attractive companion — an advanta^^'o to the young companion as well as to her hostess. She was still bent on weaning Gertrude's mind from what she con- sidered its morbid condition, and of putting her in the way of meeting those from whom she hoped she might some day select a suitable husband, for her niece's beauty and ac- complishments fully entitled her to select, she thought, and not to waste her life either with an unsuitable mate or in useless repinings at her necessary separation from him. These thoughts, however, for the present she kept to her- self. She had summoned Gertrude and enjoined her to be in time for the opening day, the beginning of the campaign as it were, and it had chanced that some friends were coming down the day beforer in whose charge she was accordingly placed. Mr. Hatfield, who was usually punctual in his attendance at Parliament had accompanied his uncle and wife on their journey to Ottawa, and now all were comfortably installed at the Russell. It would be hardly fair to say that as yet Mrs. Watkins had any positive design marked out with regard to her husband's nephew and her THE CANADIAN SENATOa 95 niece, but it muyt be owned tJiat she thought these young people might with mutual advantage be thrown together and that, in short, a match between them would be a very desirable thing. Hatfield was well off, was considered a rising young public man, had no entanglements so far as she knew, and lived not far from her new home. She had not seen very much of him, but what little she had seen she liked. She was sensible enough to leave these matters to a certain extent to chance, and to the people most directly concerned, but she usually liked to help along the chances as opportunity offered. She knew that her niece, though gentle and to a certain extent pliable, had still a mind of her own. The heart she did not take so much account of. She would, however, wait and see how matters were going, as Gertrude became more accustomed to her new surroundings, and give her such motherly counsel when the proper time came as, in the absenco of her mother, duty required of an aunt. Under the influence of her aunt's will, Gertrude made no attempt to avoid the pleasures and gaieties to which she had been a stranger. It would have been foolish to have come here had she any intention of doing so. So the opening day was followed by a round of social events, in wliich Gertrude took part, if not with hearty zest, at any rate with some enjoyment. Her thoughts still strayed to the far off West, and she still thought of Arthur constantly, but by degrees an interest in the events about her de- veloped, until she often wondered as she found herself dancing, laughing, chatting, in the midst of some happy throng, or skating or tobogganing with the youth of the Capital, and entering into the sport with zest — whether she could be the same Gertrude who in Muskoka a few short months ago had cried herself to sleep by night and sat brooding by day over the misfortune of her life. Her heart was true as ever to Arthur, though, and the thought of forming any other attachment would, as yet at all events, have been abhorrent to her, and she remembered without regret that she had promised him it would always be so. Her present enjoyment, she felt, was due to the "'■-;ii ■4-' M ii 96 THE CANADIAN SENATOn. ti ■ 1, '"■( "i!^^?'^ :'' novelty of her pastimes, which she almost feared would soon wear oft. Her beauty and gentle demeanor were not long in at- tracting attention. Even at the opening of Parliament it has been seen she was remarked. At the State drawing- room which followed, the impression she created was still more noticeable, and henceforward, whetlier at a State dinner or ball at Rideau Hall or elsewhere, whether at the rink or on the toboggan slide, Miss Southcote had no dearth of admirers. With old Senators and members, as well as with the younger Commoners, the vice regal house- hold and the " gilded youth " of the Capital, she was alike a favorite, the ladies, too, with few exceptions, joining in the general expressions of approval. She was always *' the same" they said, gentle and well bred, unaffected and ready to please and apparently to be pleased. Her musical accomplishments, too, brought her into request, and she was soon recognized as one of the best musicians known to society at the Capital. It must not be imagined that Hatfield was the man to allow the special privilege he enjoyed of being in the society of one so universally admired to be neglected. As has been seen he claimed cousinship with her from the start, and soon grew even more anxious to please her than even the cousinly relationship rendered incumbent upon him. He seldom missed breakfast or luncheon at the hotel for the Club, as was often his wont in former days. In fact, he had for a session or two before, lived in cham- bers, taking all his meals, when not invited out, at the Club. Now, he took his place by Gertrude's side, with a regularity more than cousinly, generally managing, too, in some way to secure the same place when he dined or lunched out at the same house. One morning as they sat at breakfast and the Senator laid down the matutinal newspaper with which he regular- ly regaled himself — a habit with which his wife had never interfered — Gertrude took it up casually, and glancing over the debates of the previous day, said suddenly, THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 97 " Mr. Hatfield, I should so like to hear you make a Bpeech !" The young member looked up with a pleased expres- sion. Then as he broke his egg he answered — " Your kind interest is very gratifying .and encourag- ing to a young politician, and as it is no doubt purely cousinly and not intended to disconcert me, you may have your wish if you care to come up to the House to-day. I'm to have a minor part in the debate now on, and at the risk of being disconcer^^ed I shall try and let you know when I shall begin." " I'm sure the thought of disconcerting you was far from me — I would not for the w- /rid." " Enough said," interrupted Hatfield. " Then it's agreed —perhaps — who knows," he added, " but tlie inspiration of your presence may enable me to say something absolutely new even on so hackneyed a subject as the National Policy ! Will you risk it too, Mrs. Watkins ?" " Most certainly," that lady answered. So the matter was considered settled. That afternoon found the two ladies sitting in the Senators' gallery of the House of Commons, gazing down upon the scene beneath. The House looked sleepy enough in the quiet afternoon li^lit. The Speaker seemed to be watching the proceedings with a languid interest, while two pages seated on the steps at his feet with heads to- gether were apparently comparing jack knives. The Clerk of the House seemed to be enjoying a nap while his assistant was busy writing. A member in one of the back rows cf the Opposition with a number of ponderous volumes piled against the side of his desk, and sheets of paper with newspaper or other clippings pasted upon them and copious notes on other sheets before him, was prosing away, while members sat here and there, some writing letters, others yawning or conversing with their neighbors. A few were listening with a yawning interest. The pencils of about half the reporters in the gallery were leaping along with more show of life than appeared elsewhere in the chamber, while the other half seemed to be idling. ^ i: ! t: • J • 98 THE CANADIAN SENATOR vm Hatfield sat in a seat in the third row on the right of the Speaker, taking notes. He found time to glance up at the ladies with a resigned look, as though to say, " See what an ignoble task is before me " When the member Idressing the House at last sat down and the rattle of )plause from his side died away, Hatfield arose amid a counter rattle from those about him and began to speak. More attention, they ob- served, was paid on both sides than the previous speaker commanded. The Premier once turned him- self in his chair so as to look up at Hatfield and nodded encouragingly and smacked his lips in silent appro- bation. " Hear hears " were frequent. His voice was clear, and he spoke with apparent confidence, though once or twice during his speech he seemed tc hesitate and become a trifle confused, and Gertrude could nut help thinking that a consciousness of their presence there was the causa. He spoke somewhat too rapidly, she thought, and though all this talk of duties and tariffs was as Greek to her, she saw that he was hitting his opponent, who sat doggedly watching him rather hard, as that gentleman occasionally stung by a laugh from the other members ejaculated something inaudible to her. Hatfield spoke for nearly an hour and her interest did not flag — nor did Mrs. Watkins, who nodded approvingly from time to time as he went on. His diction was excellent, and his manner for the most part, with the exceptions mentioned, easy. Once a little cross-firing with a gentleman in the front row opposite arose, the purport of which, however, Gertrude could not understand. Hatfield seemed to have been roast- ing the previous speaker, for whom Gertrude could not help feeling some commiseration, and his arguments un- mercifully, when the member in the front row came to his rescue and quickly interjected some remark and the little altercation referred to ensued. As Hatfield sat down Gertrude thought the speech upon the whole a satisfactory performance, while her aunt, beaming with apparent de- light, murmured, " capital, capital — and so clever too, my I dear !" in her ear. Mrs, Watkins' face, however, began to THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 99 harden as the gentleman in the front row of the opposition arose and began in clear and incisive sentences to critisize Hatfield's argument. In a few rapid scTitcnccs he seemed to sum it all up. Then lu; turned it over and presentel; ' r-^T^*' ■ 102 THE CANADIAN SENATOR be discussed, wlR'tbcr she exists or not outside of old Watkins' iinu^^irmtioii— for tlie old ^'ontlemoii can har,rr together, and the quantity of hot water which was bein;^- ordered up !" While this speech was being hurled at him, Geor'^^e quietly took a seat, after bowing politely to the ladies. " I'm afraid church has not made you charitable, Scu- ■1 \m r " 108 THE CANADIAN SENATOft. ator," he said, "there is something lurking under that 'hot water.'" "There was, Gcorga, there ivas something lurking under it, but it di'ln't lurk there long after the hot water got atop of it, and the sugar and the spoon got into it — a thirstier looking crowd of young Commoners I haven't seen for some time — ha ! ha !" and the Senator laughed loudly at his little sally. " Now, that's what I call telling tales out of school — ' tales ' is hardly the word, either, with which to charac- terize such ' base calumnies,' as my opponent of the other day's debate would say. The doctor came in and ordered up some hot water to bathe my arm, and just because some other fellows dropped in about the same time and ap- propriated some of the hot water and my decanter — would you believe it, my dear aunt and cousin," an'^ Hatfield looked appealingly first at Mr. Watkins and then more timidly at Gertrude, "on such a foundation is built this base and baseless calumny ! Who would be guilty of hurling such an accusation at my head the moment it is put inside the door where hospitality is looked for ? My prophetic soul might have told me, as Hamlet's did him, that no one but mine uncle could have had the heart to do it!" " Oh — hot water for a swollen arm — who ever heard of such a thing ? Do you mean to say that the doctor pre- scribed hot, when cold water was available ?" demanded the Senator. " There now — you see, ladies — what use is there in fur- ther argument with one who lives in the mediaeval atmos- phere of the senate — would he believe in any medical treatment more modern than bleeding, for any ailment ? But," said the younger man, suddenly turning the tables on his senior " you spoke of my overhauling in the House the otlier day. The}'' say it's nothing to the roasting in store for you when your motions come up on Wednesday, my dear uncle !" " Roasting indeed !" answered the Senator. " I'll do the roasting on that occasion, my boy, — if you don't believe it, THE CANADIAN SENATOR lod I invite you all to come and see — roasting indeed ! I sup- pose that's what some of your y^nng Commoners have been saying, after they had bathed themselves — inside — with your hot water and the contents of the decaaiter. I declare it makes me sometimes think of resigning and going in for the Commons — to hear some of these young fledgling legislators talk ! If I were only twenty years younger !" — and the Senator wagged his head in token of the agitation which would prevail, in such event, in the political atmos- phere. Such little friendly passages at arms were not infre- quent between the uncle and nephew, and never led to serious results. So the ladies preserved their equanimity. Mrs. Watkins had some slight misgivings as to the wisdom of the Senator's proposed course of action, but she was wil- ling that he should have a tilt at the Government if he did not bring disaster upon himself, as she thought she had been treated somewhat superciliously by some of the official ladies. Gertrude had been so distracted by her own thoughts tliat she was not readily roused to a lively interest in the subjects of the present debate, though she could not help being a little amused. She looked very pretty, Hatfield tliought, as she sat by the window, her head resting on her hand, an open book before her. Her brown hair looked soft and warm as it stood in relief against the snow on a house top seen out of the window. Her eyes were pecu- liarly soft and gentle to-day. They did not go to the table d'hote again that day, out of consideration for their disabled guest, but Mrs. Watkins poured tea from a dainty teapot and tempered its strength with hot water from a little brass urn. Gertrude presided over the bread and butter and cake with infinite grace. Hatfield thought they made a comfortable and on the whole a cheerful little party. Later in the evening Hatfield asked Miss Southcote to sing and she went to the piano and sang one of the solos which she had been accustomed to sing for her father on a Sunday afternoon or evening at home. She began somewhat tremulously now " I will arise — I will arise, and go unto my Father, and will say unto Him — ■1 W'"f' 110 THE CANADIAN SfiNATOll. f Father, Father I have sinned." Her voice fijrew so plaintive that Hatfield feared she would break down, but she gathered resolution and steadiness as she proceeded and finished resolutely, while he sat and listened with bated breath. Her voice was clear, and he thought, excelled in sweetness any he had ever heard. It was abundantly strong too after the first few notes, for the room was not large. Tb-^ Senator, still remembering what Gerturde had said to him on the steamer, as to the crippled condition of unmusical people, called out : "excellent, excellent ! sing another for my nephew. He doesn't often enjoy such a treat, I'll be bound my dear," and presently slipped out to have a chat with a friend in the great hall below stairs, Mrs. Watkins, too had occasion to go into the next room, and did not return for some time. Gertrude was beginning to notice that this sort of thing happened more and more frequently, and became a little alarmed at being so often left alone with Mr. Hatfield — not that she disliked him or feared him, but she began to be fearful lest his constant society, the gaze which she sometimes found directed at her when he sup- posed her not observing him, with other little signs, might mean something more than mere cousinly regard. And she thought her aunt at all events was equally as obser- vant as herself and that perhaps her little absences when Hatfield was present were not wholly unpremeditated. On this occasion she came back, after having left the young people together for nearly an hour, an interval during which, Hatfield, who pleaded his invalided condition as a special of ground of indulgence, succeeded in getting Gertrude to almost exhaust her repertoire of oratorio music, while he sat dreamily gazing at her, thoroughly enjoying with both eye and ear the privilege of being with her. He began to think it would be a blessed privilege to have her within sight and bearing always. This was not the first time the thought had come to him, but now it clung to him as he sat and looked at her and listened to her voice, and he felt that it was a pleasant thought, and that it was fast obtaining possession of him so completely that it would refuse to be shaken off. Meantime Gertrude '••.f'^-fHf, THE CANADIAN SENATOR 111 seemed anxious to gro ' ify his taste for music, rather thai* for conversation. Perhaps she had some dim idea of what was passing in his mind, pnd feared that a stoppage of the music might bring with it some sort of crisis. At length her aunt returned to the room, and Hatfield shortly after rose to go. " You must by no means disobey the injunction of the doctor to keep to the house for this week — or at any rate until the weather moderates. Make our apartments your headquarters if you like," said Mrs. Watkins in her most winning manner. " There is little to tempt me out even if I could get my ffreat coat on — especially when such delightful hours may be passed indoors as I have enjoyed this evening. Thank you, my dear Aunt, I shall not forget to avail myself of your kindness." And as he walked along the corridor he made up his mind that he would wear his arm in a sling for two weeks if the doctor said so — and he rather hoped he would. CHAPTER XIII. A DRAWING-ROOM SCENE. I f ^.i J] Hatfield exhibited no great restlessness at his enforced confinement to the hotel during the next few days. Tlie swelling of the arm was going down, but he still carried it in a sling. The pain was fast disappearing and he rather liked the role of invalid. When he did not take his meals in his own room, he could always depend on getting one in Mrs. Watkins*. She made a point of ordering one whenever a meal hour approached and he was in her apartments. The Senator usually stuck to the public dining-room, and received his wife's excuses for not accompanying him with equanimity. Hatfield was shrewd enough to guess that the aunt had some designs upon him, while he enjoyed her kindnesa and solicitude for his wounded arm. He was (juite sure however that Gertrude was no party to any ., I- . • I 112 THE CANADIAN SENATOR I': ,.'ii design on the part of her aunt. She was always kind and gentle, but there was a certain reserve which he had not been able to penetrate. While she did not shrink from general conversation, and was sometimes bright and cheer- ful, she seemed to avoid a tete a tele whenever it could be avoided without being likely to cause remark. She played and sang for him, she enquired gravely two or three times a day as to the state of his arm, she gave him the news when she came in from a luncheon party one day and from a skating party on another. She had even refused to skate with Mr. Duffy, she said, for no other apparent reason than the trouble he had brought on her uncle's nephew. She was altogether so kind and considerate that he felt himself, as he believed, falling helplessly in love with this girl — and yet he could not say to himself that he had received any assurance or even a sign of the sentiment being reciprocated by her. He was fully aware of his advantages as a good looking young Member of Parliament, rapidly rising in public life, with ample means. Yet these things he felt were not considered by her — even to the extent they should have been. There was a something about her manner which in some indefinable way seemed to warn him off, and yet, as is often the result, which seemed the more to lure him on to a hopeless infatuation. On one occasion when the aunt was about to make one of her now frequent exits on some pretext and leave him alone with her niece, he thought he noticed an appealing look, a something not quite a sign from the latter to her aunt, as though she would detain her. This rather galled him. Mrs. Watkins with manifest reluctance remained in the room, and Hatfield grew rather morose and finally withdrew. But Gertrude's unchanged gentle manner when they next met charmed him as before. On the Wednesday following the accident at the tobog- gin slide, Hatfield was so far recovered that he himself proposed to have lunch in the public dining-room. In fact there was little excuse for his further confinement within doors, though he still wore his arm in a sling — as much, it must be confessed, for the sympathy it evoked from his, THE CANADIAN SENATOR 113 friends as for any relief it gave to his almost completely restored arm. HoweN er, he said he could not stand too sudden a return to public life, even in the hotel. " I must reappear by degrees, by easy stages," he said to Gcjtrude, as her aunt asked them to precede her to the dining-room, where she would join them in a few minutes, when the Senator should have come in. " Let us walk down stairs and take a turn through the drawing-room. We shall meet some one there, wh.oh will serve to break the ice," he added. So they sauntered down and into the drawing-room without, however, encountering a soul, save a waiter and a chamber-maid in one of the corridors. The drawing-room was empty. He threw himself upon a sofa, and she, thinking her aunt who had heard his remark as they set out, would find them there, sat down in an arm- chair near by. A young man a few moments later came out of the room in which he had lately been quartered, turned the key in the door and walked quietly along the corridor leading past the drawing-room. As he neared the draw- ing-room entrance he swerved towards it, and, impelled by idle curiosity, glanced in and stopped suddenly, as though a ball had struck him. He saw a beautiful girl, her side face half turned from him, as she looked at the young gentleman, who, clad in a black velvet lounging coat, was half reclining upon a sofa. This gentleman's left hand seemed pressed to his heart — the presence of a bandage escaped the spectator's observation — while the other hand was outstretched toward the lady as if in entreaty. But what absorbed the young onlooker's attention, and seemed to make his blood boil, was the expression of the man's face, and especially his eyes, in which the light of lovo shone with such an absorbed look, as, while it seemed a revelation to the stranger, seemed also to exclude his presence from the lover's gaze, w^hich was obviously en- grossed by his fair companion to the exclusion of every- thing else. " Ah, Gertrude !" The young man standing there heard these words only. Then raising his hand to his curly iJ IS 114 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. iiiii). hair as if dazed, he turned on his heel and slowly and BorrowfuUy walked away. He walked down the corridor, tho stairway, into the lunch room, and sat down at a table by himself, as though in a dream. He gazed vacantly at tho bill of fare, and, as the waiter bent over him to take his order, suddenly got up again and went out. Tlie waiter gazed after him in mute surprise, looked at one of hih confreres standing behind the next table, smiled, threw up his hand, and shrugged his shoulders after the manner of his race, then dusted with his napkin the place whore, however, the stranger had left no crumbs, and having paid this little tribute to habit, passed on to take the order of a ne.w -comer. The young man who had looked in unobserved afc the drawing-room door, had not misinterpreted either the look or words of Hatfield. " Ah, Gertrude," he sighed, gazing intently up at the face of her who sat looking out of the window behind him. Seen from the place where the young stranger had stood, she might have been returning his look, so wrapped in thought was she, as she gazed through the window with a wistful, absent air. " I may, I hope, presume to call you by that name ; our cousinship you know, if nothing else, should give me that right," he continued. She slowly withdrew her gaze from the winduw. Then her conscious- ness of the present returned to her, as she looked and saw his ardent glance and she colored slightly. As the torch applied to tinder, the spark falling in the powder maga- zine — that one look seemed to fire his soul. He sat up suddenly. " Gertrude," he said passionately, " I think of you always by that name, and I would call you by it, not by right of a fictitious cousinship, but — because I love you. Will you give me — not the right to call you cousin Gertrude — but the right I covet, to call you Gertrude Hatfield ? " He rose to his feet as he spoke holding out his right hand entreatingly. There was no mistaking his meaning now, or that he was in earnest, thought Gertrude in dismay. Sho also rose. " Mr. Hatfield," she said gently, "that you tHE CANADIAN SENATOR. lis mean what you say I cannot doubt, and, believe me, I feel deeply the honor you do me. But — it is impossible." "Why impossible?" he cried. It was his turn to be dismayed. "Because — because," she faltered — and then sinking back to the seat from which she had just risen she burst into tears. *' Mr. Hatfield," she sobbed, " please do not speak of this to me again. Believe me, it is out of the question." " Is there — some other ? " he asked quietly, when she, quickly stifling her sudden emotions became more composed. " There is," she answered simply, as she looked up with tearful but resolute eyes, " though I may never marry, my heart is given to another — unchangeably." Hatfield began pacing up and down, then stopped before her. " Gertrude," he said, "forgive me for my sudden declar- ation — but somehow it has been coming on for some time, ever since I have known you I think. I hope I have not deceived myself with the thought that you could learn to love me — and become my wife," he paused, as if for a reply, then went on quickly : " I will not press you further now. This is no place for such a scene. I know. Please think of what I have said, and do not doom me without full consideration." " I am very, very sorry, Mr. Hatfield," she answered, rising again as she spoke, " but consideration will not mend matters. Please do not think me unkind, or that I do not appreciate your regard. But I u\ust go ; I have a liead- ache which will prevent my going downstairs," and she moved toward the door. " I cannot accept so sudden a decision — unless the nature of your — your tie precludes my speaking further." Gertrude merely shook her head as she sorrowfully moved away, while he walked lieside her, crestfallen. Not another word was spoken until they reached her aunt*8 apartments. Fortunately they encountered no one on the 'M a J 116 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. way. At the door sho turned, and tried to smile, saying simply : " thank you." " Konienihcr," hu said, " I do not accept this as final. I must have another chance," and so saying he turned, us she entered the room, and made his way towards his own part of tlie house, wliere he shut himself in liis room for the rest of the day, postponing his public re-appearance as well as his lunclieon for the present. Qertrudu found no one in her aunt's apartments. Mrs. Watkius had evidently gone with the Senator to lunch. She sat down in her own room and gave herself up to thought. She would not, she tliought, say anything about this affair to her aunt at present, at any rate. If Hatfield chose to mention it, she could not help it, but wounded pride would probably keep him silent until she should Iiavu time to get away from Ottawa and home once more. Sho saw all the advantages which a marriage with Hatfield offered. She was quite alive to the fact that many c.ips liad been set at him in vain — that he was the most eligible bachelor in the House of Coiiiinons, that were she to accept him she wouM be accounted to have made the most bril- liant match of the season, and that her future would be assured. And yet she did not waver in her resolution to be true to her promise to Arthur now. Six months ago when she had to decide between a life of self-denial and hardship with the man she loved, or comfort apart from him, these comforts which were now offered her by another had seemed very precious to her. Now she scarce gave them a second thought. She at all events would sacrifice them all to-morrow for life with Ai-thurat Prairie Cottage. Now that tliat haven was effaced from the earth and Arthur gone she knew not where, she sighed, womanlike, for the unattainable, more sincerely than she had sighed a half year ago for the comforts which a union with Hatfield would now assure for her. At any rate, she thought, she had her own home yet and there she would go, and would remain. She was true as steel to Arthur now. To her aunt when she came up from luncheon she excused her absence by saying she had a headache and had " 'r^^^fW^^' THE CANADIAN SENATOR 117 returned to her room. Mr. Hatfield, .sho supposed, I. ad gone to his own apartments probably preferring to lunch there auietly than to go alone to the diniiig-numi. "We dine out this evening, you renicinber, and I do hope, Gertrude, you will be abk- to go. I know George has been invited." Mrs. Watkins always spoke ot* Mr. Hatfii'ld as George — "and I do hope he will be able to go. It is such a pleasant house, ovury one says." George, however, sunt down a note shortly after to his aunt to say that he thought he would not venture out this evening as he needed furtlier rest, and he asked her to make the fullest exphumtions to their host, the Hon. Mr. Sterling — a Cabinet Ministijr — as to his physical condition. He took care to put in the word " physical," surmising that the note would be read to Gertrude. " Mr. Watkins is anxious that we should go to the Senate this afternoon as his motions about the Indians are to come up. Do you feel equal to going ?" asked Mrs. Watkins. Gertrude said she really did not feel up to it, but com- promised with her aunt by promising to go to the dinner party in the evening. " It doesn't matter very much, I fancy," said her aunt, " as I understand these motions are usually laid over once or twice before they are discussed, and Mr. Watkins half anticipates sometliing of the kind to-day. I would have irone to the House with him but he had a horrid creature in tow — a Mr. McWhirter, who had just arrived in town, and fastened himself on the Senator as we came from luncheon. He knows all about the Indians, my dear, but he's not the sort of man I care to go to the House in company with. As you are not going, I shall stay at home too, and take a rest before going out this evening." As his wife anticipate*!, the Senator's motions stood over to a future day. When they were called the Govern- ment leader asked that they stand, in order that he might consult his colleagues and make some enquiry respecting the subject matter of them. " When would it be convenient to have theco brought on ?" Senator Watkins asked. " Oh, .1] 113 TUE CANADIAN SENATOR. in a couple of days. How would Tuesday suit ?" asked the Minister acrosn the floor. Senator Watkins would rather have them disposed of tills week, to which the Minister demurred, as it would be impossible for him to get full information so soon. So Tuesday w>is named as tlie day and the matter was so far settled. But it was by no means satisfactory to McWhirter, wlio, as Mrs. Watkins said, had fastened himself on the Senator. No sooner was the matter disposed of in the House than Senator Watkins leceived a pressing invitation on a fragment of paper from McWhirter to come out to the lobby. That distinguished philanthropist was pacing up and down when the Senator came out. His linen duster had given place to a rather threadbare overcoat; a well worn fur cap and an attentuated muffler kept his upper portion warm. Huge overshoes covered his boots, whose leather legs showed their presence beneath the once black trowsers. He speedily explained to the Senator why he had sent in for him. Being a minister of the gospel, the Senator would understand, he was not blegsed with much worldly wealth. The hundred dollars he had received from the Senator were already exhausted in the purchase of his return ticket and various other travelling expenses. The long and the short of it was that he could not stay over in Ottawa for a week, with no certainty at the end of that time as to when his evidence would be called for, his other engagements mean- time neglected and all his domestic affairs left to take care of themselves, for less than another couple of hundred dollars. The Senator pointed out that his motion would be on on Tuesday when in all human probability he would be granted a committee. Then the witnesses would be summoned and their fees paid. Until he got his committee of course he could do nothing for his friend, unless he put his hand in his own pocket, which, as the Senator remarked, he had already done to a sufficient extent. Whether the Rev. Mr. McWhirter was familiar with the delays of par- liamentary proceedings or was in financial straits, he declared he could not and would not remain until next week unkss the Senator could furnish financial relief — the The CANADIAN SENATOR. 119 upshot being that the Senator presented him with a $10 bill to meet immediate and pressing wants, and promised, if he would remain until Saturday, to see him again and try to arrange matters so that he should remain until his evidence was called for. Of course it was out of the ques- tion that the man should be allowed to go away now, and we may so far anticipate as to mention that the Senator saw nothing for it on the Saturday, but to himself in the meantime pay the sum demanded. He would, of course, he recouped in due time when the committee met, but in tlie meantime he thought it would be as well that he should not mention the transaction to his wife, who had iiidulged in some well-meant but useless criticisms when he told her of having sent the first sum to McWhirter. CHAPTER XIV. AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. ':)41 As Senator and Mrs. Watkins and the beautiful Miss Southcote entered the drawing- r(K)m of their host that evening, the latter came forward to meet them, smiling, and at the same time with a look of solicitude on his countenance. " I'm so glad you've come, even without our friend Hat- Held. How is he, Mrs. Watkins ? I'm sure that with the kind attention which the doctor tolls me you have been sliowing him, he ought to be restored hy this time." " He appeared almost so this morning, but this afternoon he seemed disinclined to risk coming out, though he charged nie by a note to assure you, that while he thought he had better not come out, his condition was such that you need ^"ive yourself no uneasiness as to his being in his place for the vote you expect, on Friday I believe. He said he would not need a ' pair.' " " I'm glad to hear it. I should be glad to hear that he had decided to ' pair ' some day in another sense, but he m] 1^0 THE CANADIAN SENATOft. has hitherto been proof against Cupid's darts.. A good wife is a great help to a politician, as I've no doubt the Senator has found out by this time. I've never known Hatfield inactive for so long. And the doctor tells me he seems to like his prison bars. Can you corroborate tliis, Miss Southcote ?" asked the minister, turning to Gertrude, who murmured a rather unintellegible reply. " I had a note from him this aiternoon too," he went on, without noticing, or seeming at any rate to notice her embarrassment," and I really was at a loss for a substitute to fill his place which is an important one, as he would have had the honor of taking you in, Miss Southcok". Fortunately a young gentleman, whose father showed ine much kindness in early days — for I went to school with him — came to see me just at this critical juncture, so I invited him to fill Hatfield's place, which I hope he may do acceptably, I did not tell him of the honor in store for him. Left him to find that out for himself, all in good time. He seems a fine young fellow. Ah, I think he is coming — all the rest are here, I believe," and Mr. Sterling looked round the room. The minister's wife had engaged the Senator in conver- sation, while on their right a couple of French members of parliament were talking together. These members had wives with whom a certain railway magnate and a Montreal merchant were conversing. This merchant, Gertrude had already recognized as her travelling acquain- tance, Mr. Graham, and had exchanged a bow with him. Another member of parliament and his daughter, a small, but talkative young lady, were in conversation with the daughter of the house, a rather handsome girl with a frank and winning manner. These made up the party, with the exception of the young gentleman, who was announced at the moment Mr. Sterling made the last remark already quoted. The next moment was one of the most trying, and yet one of the happiest in Gertrude's life — for the young man who entered was none other than Arthur Rashfellow ! Very handsome he certainly looked in evening dress, tHE CANADIAN SENATOR. 1^1 though his face and hands showed unmistakeable signs of exposure to the elements. He stood still and colored to the roots of his curly hair as his eye fell on the group imme- diately before him. As for Gertrude, tlie surprise was ten- fold greater to her than to hii«. He had not expected to meet her to-night, but he knew she was in the Capital and had in fact seen her. She, till that moment, knew not whether he was dead or alive — and her head swam and she thought she was about to swoon. Foitunately a huge group of ferns, behind which she involuntarily shrank, hid Iter from the eyes of all save her aunt and their host, who at once stepped forward and shook Arthur cordially by the hand. Seeing that the young man was known to the party aino^g whom he now stood, Mr. Sterling said, " i see you need no introduction, Rashfellow, except to my wife " — to whom he immediately presented him. " My dear, the Sen- ator will take you in. Now, Mrs. Watkins " — saying which he gave his arm to the Senator's wife, whose presence of mind had not for a moment deserted her, as she gave the tips of her fingers to Arthur, with a rather icy smilo and the remark, " who would have thought to see you here." The Senator had had time only to cry out " why, Rash- fellow, my boy, 'pon my word ?" when he was borne off by his hostess and Arthur and Gertrude stood side bv side. It is a singular, but authentic fact, that the only words which paKsed between this young couple, whose acquain- tance dated from childhood, as they followed in tlic rear portion of this procession to the dining-room, were a remark by Arthur to the effect that it was a very cold night, fol- lowed by a trembling " yes, very," from Gertrude. The custom still prevailed at this table of marking each guest's place by a card bearing his or her name, and as they reached their places Arth^ir picked up the card Ix^fore him, having fiirft appropriated the button-hole bouquet which lay on it, read " Mr. Hatfield, M. P." "I've got into a wrong place. Miss Southcote," he said. At the " Miss Southcote " Gertrude's heart sank, but she answered : " Oh, ro, I think not. Mr. Hatfield is not well, and your 122 THE CANADIAIJ SENATOR. coming on the scene being quite unexpected, you were assigned to his place." She was ready to add, " and very glad I am of it," but the look which came into his face that instant repelled her. " Who is this Mr. Hatfield ?" he asked, though all the the world knew who Hatfield was. "Does he wear a black velvet coat and is he dark and — and — bald ?" and he turned almost fiercely to Gertrude as he asked the question. " Not bald, certainly," she answered quietly, " though your description otherwise answers. He wears a black velvet coat sometimos. He had one on this morning in fact," and she coloured slightly as she spoke of that morning. " I thought so !" growled Arthur. They were not making much headway tovvards a reconciliation. So thought Mrs. Watkins, as she eyed them sharply from a distance. Gertrude was silent. She hardly knew what to say, for she did not wish her neighbors' attention to he attracted to them, as it certainly would if he continued in this strain. It was a trying ordeal for the young lady. Here by her side sat the young man to meet whom once more had been her constant prayer for months past, and yet she scarcely dare speak to him. She was rejoiced to see how handsome he was, and hew manly his bearintj. He, for his part, was, if possible, more deeply in love with her than before. But he had spent many bitter days since they last met, and this one had been the bitterest of all. He had seen her being made love to by another man, and lending, apparently a willing ear. He had tried to make himself believe that the attentions of this man were oh- noxious to her, but the evidence was all the other way. He had rushed about endeavoring to do the business on which he had come to Ottawa, but had found it difficult to keep his wits together. He had called, among others, upon the Minister whom he had heard his father often mention. When he told the Hon. Mr. Sterling where he had been and what his errand was, that gentleman looked thoughtful for a moment, glanced at a paper which lay upon his table, and asked him, in a kindly way, not to ' t THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 123 hasten his movements, to stay in town a few days, and to say nothing to anyone as to whence he came or what his business was — and he would see what could be dona Then he had asked him to dinner, and Arthur had thought it to Ills interest to accept. It would serve, too, he hoped, to distract his thoughts. And now he found that he was asked only to fill the place of that other man, who could not come — that man who had spent the day in making love to Gertrude, who was a wealthy member of Parlia- ment, and could afford to let her spend an hour or two apart from him, amusing herself with a former lover whom she had cast off! He did not wonder at the man's infatuation, for he saw that she was more beautiful than ever. She was a woman now, and one of whom any lover might feel proud ; and doubtless this man was proud of her, and would ask her how her former lover had borne himself, how he had taken the dose prepared for him; whether he had snatched at the chance to make a fool of himself again, by a further struggle against fate. His heated fancy, filled with such bitter thoughts, Arthur sat sullenly silent. Gertrude made an effort to draw him out, asking gently where he had been, and how he had fared since last they met. " Oh, nowhere you'd care to hear of — away out west." Under other circumstances he would have disregarded his host's injunction to keep silent as to his late movements, but now he determined to follow his advice. " I had some business to do down here, so I came. I'm sorry, now, I did so. I was better where I w^as. I hope to get my business over soon and be off again." He spoke so bitterly that Gertrude with difficulty kept the tears from filling her eyes. She was aware that many e3^es were upon her, j and she endeavored to preserve her wonted outward calm- ness. She knew that her aunt was watching her. Once she caught the kindly, frank eye of Mr. Graham looking at her over a bank of flowers in the middle of the table. She made one other unavailing attempt to draw Arth- into kindly conversation. im WMj ' 124 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 1; J'! ^■ " Have you sold your farm, Arthur ? It was perhaps not a fortunate question. Had she been los ; distracted l»y hopes and fears, she would not have asked it. Perhaps she hoped he would give her a whispered invitation to go attain to live there with him, in which case she was now willinfy to accept. Perhaps lie had, notwithstanding lier heartless treatment, built another home for her, and wouM communicate the joyful news — instead of that he sai '-! jpimm THE CANADIAN SENATOR 125 ice, alwaj's 'vals, until In muzzled, l-etended to I with some Iheard him enquiries Ottawa." "No"- heard the bruction of the C. P. R. to the hostess. She heard the railway magnate talking about art with the daughter of the house. She heard someone rallying Graham upon the subject of Im- ferial Federation, and heanl his good natured reply that that was the subject which had brought him to Ottawa now. She heard her aunt and the mini.ster talking of the ladies at the last drawing-room. She heard the (laughter of the M. P. beside her giving her impressions of Ottawa to Arthur. She heard reminiscences in French of the last election of one of the members. She heard fragments of all these conversations and all the time she was conscious of the loud clear voice of the man beside her, who seemed to talk of no one but Hatfield. Hatfield in the house. Hatfield on the stump. Hatfield's talents, and Hatfield's wealth and prospects in the political future, lie even informed her confidentially that when a Hatfield party was formed, he would be in it. She was glad indeed when the ordeal was over and the ladies rose. Before she left the table she said to Arthur that she hoped they would see him soon. Was he staying at the Russell ? Yes, he was, but he hated hotels and would get away from it as soon as possible. If he had to remain, lie thought he would get a room somewhere and take his meals I at the club, where he had been " put up "by a friend. [She had no furthur opportunity for conversation with him that evening. Things were evidently going from bad to I worse with him. The Senator was in good spirits as they drove home. I "Uncommonly good dinner, my dear," he said. " Our host [evidently keeps a good cook. He's not a half bad sort of Ifellow and about the only one of the Cabinet I care to dine Iwlth." He might have added, or who cared to have him to Idiuner. " I gave him and our railroad friend some valuable Ipoints. He knew too much to say anything about the IKickaways, though I could see he w^as dying to. He knew (that Watkins would not be caught with chaff. Eh, Ger- frude, by the way, what's brought your old beau on the cene just now ? He looked rather glum, I thought. I bpe there isn't going to be another fire ! My dear, we must r'- 126 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. look to our fire escapes. Rather high up for a jump, eh, my dear !" Mrs. Watkins and Gertrude did not seem inclined to join in his hilarity. Gertrude answered a few questions as to Arthur, and told her aunt all that slie knew about the cause of his heing here, which was, as we have seen, very little. As soon as thuy had reached their apartments she went to her own room, into which her aunt followed her. " Tell me, Gertrude, truly," she said, " is there anything yet — between that young man and you ?" " No, there is not, aunt — but — oh, aunt — I love him more than ever — though he seems to be so changed" — nnd she burst into a tears. Her aunt endeavored to soothe her, but her efFoits for a time were fruitless. At length she dried her eyes and, looking up, said : " Aunt Caroline, I think I really must go home. You have been very kind to me and I have been here now nearly a month. It is selfish of me to have stayed so long from home, where I think I am needed." " Nonsense, Gertrude," said her aunt. " I understood you were to stay the session. They will do very well with- out you at home." Mrs. Watkins turned the matter over quickly in her mind. If there were any danger from Arthur's presence, it would be less here than should Gertrude return home. If the young man was in pursuit of her still he would surely follow her sooner or later to her home, and she knew perfectly well from experience that he would meet with less opposition there than here. Meantime he did not seem in the humour for a renewal of the engagement. Then, again, she had great hopes of Hatfield, which would come to naught should the girl go away now. " I cannot— cannot stay longer, I fear, dear aunt," said the unhappy girl. " You are nervous and unsetthd by this — this sudden incident. You will feel better after a night's rest. You cannot think of going before the ball on the 10th. We have accepted, and you know you are expected to be there, THE CANADIAN SENATOR 12: George would be so disappointed should you ^o " As light flush, which came into the girl's face at the Miention ol Hatfield's name, arrested her aunt's attention, and causetl her to say, " Gertrude, I have hoped, I confess, that you ini^'ht take a fancy to George, and he to you. Such a thing, of course, depends upon yourselves, and your mutual — a — sentiments. But were such a match possible, it would be a most suitable one, and, I assure you, would be very gratifying to the Senator and myself." " Arthur has evidently treated her coldly," thought Mrs. Watldns, " indued, I could see that much for myself, and it may be possible to direct her thoughts in a new channel, if they have not already run in that direction. Desperate cases call for desperate remedies. I have always had influence with her, and I must exert it new. I believe George only requires encouragement, if I am any judge in such matters." Gertrude's answer, however, showed her that the case was more desperate than she supposed, for her niece said simply : " Aunt, that is impossible ! Mr. Hatfield asked mo to be his wife this very day, and I — I told him no." " Told him you w^ould not have him, do you mean ?" " Yes, aunt. How could I do otherwise ? I could not marry a man I do not love, while I do love another 1" " What, throw over a man like George for such a one as Arthur ! I don't wish to say anything to the detriment of your boy beau, but remember, Gertrude, how hopeless this attachment has been in the past, and be just to your- self." But no amount of argument could shake the girl. So at length she desisted, thinking it best to trust to her old allies, time and circumstances, and to aid them all she could when opportunity offered. She kissed her niece I good night and left her. " What, refuse George Hatfield, and all for that boy. I The girl must be mad!" was the simple commentary of the Senator wl^en the news was communicated to him. "She'll think better of it, never fear," he added, as he closed his eyes for the night. 128 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. Next morning Arthur met Graham accidentally at the broakt'ast-table. The latter was bright and cheerful as usual, while the younger man seemed so gloomy and out of sorts that his companion could not help remarking it. "Did last night's good dinner disagree with you?" asked the Montreal man, with a smile. " Yes, it did — uncommonly," answered Arthur, lugub- riously. His companion eyed him for a few moments. Then he said : " Look here, Rashfellow, do you remember ray injunc- tion to you the last time I saw you — not to say die and give up. You seem as if you were going to disregard my advice. I had my eye on you last night. I think I know what ails you, and you don't go the right way about ob- taining a cure." " '1 hank you, Graham, but my disease has become so ^rmly rooted that I shall never be rid of it. It has now issumed an acute form." " Look here, old fellow, forgive my seeming impertinence. You are in love with a certain young lady and when you meet her after a long separation, you treat her almost rudely. However do you expect to win in that way ?" " That's all very well^but suppose some other fellow has stepped in meantime and dethroned you — Graham, I am talking to you as I would to no one else. You've always shown me kindness. Do you know a man named Hatfield ?" " What Hatfield, the member — is he your rival i" Arthur bowed his head in token of assent. " He's a formidable rival — there's no concealing that. Yet I would say this much to you, Rashfellow. If I did not j know that you were steadfast and unchangeable in your affections, I would say, perhaps, try and forget this girl. As it is I will only say that I believe she is not indifFerent to 3^ou. Though Hatfield is formidable, I would not takej it for granted that ho is irresistible. If opportunity pre- sents itself again, change j^our manner. Don't give up ini despair. I know you will not be any happier tor takingl THE CANADIAN SENATOH 129 lly at the neurful as ^^ and out •king it. ith you?" ny injunc- ly die and iregard my ink I know ■ about ob- npertinence. fl when you her almost t way ?" •ther fellow Graham, I llse. You've man named the other course. It's not your nature to get over a thing of this kind as some men would — or, as I've said, I might be less ready to advise as I do. I wouldn't give up such a girl as that for all the Ilatfields in the universe !" eaid Graham as he rose from the table. " All very well," thought Arthur, " but it's too late now I Graham's a good fellow, but he doesn't know it all" CHAPTER XV. WAITING ON A MINISTER. There were three people in Ottawa who were thoroughly wretched for several days succeeding the day upon wliicn the events narrated in the two preceding hxpters took place- Tliere were no doubt others who were wretched. The dis- appointed politicians who have lost an election or missed a seat in the Cabinet ; tlie baffled lobbyists who have come full of hope, carrying their heads high and expecting to sweep away all opposition to their schemes or extinguish the projects of their opponents as scon as they have appeared on the scene, who are prepared, if necessary, to browbeat Ministers, and bully, if they cannot cajole, their own mem- bers, and after a few days of ineffectual waiting and watch- ing, have arrived at a sickening sense of their own insig- nificance, and have retired to seats in the hotel lobbies, where they sadly meditate a retreat homewards; the dis- gusted office-seekers, who have felt that their superior claims are again about to be ignored in favor of persons, in their eyes, infinitely less deserving ; the contractors, and railway and other promoters, whose tenders and pet schemes have been quietly passed over or ignominiously pigeon-holed ; the hundred and one other hangers-on who have not got what they wanted, and have exhav.sted all sources of influence at their command, and have vowed their vows of vengeance — representatives of all these nu- merous classes were already piesent at the capital, filled ■•'ii ■'ll '"■ 'I ' ^1 ISO THE CANADIAN SENATOR. i li'i 1 n fi H 1 SHHI l| i if with reflections bo bitter as to entitle thcni to be classod among the wretched of the earth. Still most of them felt a consciousness more or less dim of the possible dawn of the day to which eveiy do<(, however wretched, is pro- verbially entitled to look as his special day of recompense and of retribution to his adversaries. No hope of such a dawn for them seemed possible now to either Gertrude or Arthur, while Hatfield, if not entirely cast down, having his interest in public affairs to support him, was still a good deal more wretched than he ever remembered having been, at all events since the day when, through over con- fidence, he had allowed himself to be defeated in a munici- pal election contest — a disaster, however, which his subse- quent victory in a wider field had amply recompensed to hiui, Hatfield was too much of a practical politician to be an utterly disconsolate lover, yet too much in love to be able to console himself for the time being with politics. He set himself to reading the newspapers, to parliamen- tary returns as well as lighter literature. He read thej newspaper paragi-aphs regarding himself, in which the universal wish for his speedy restoration to health and his parliamentary duties was expressed in ministerialist and ofiposition press alike. He read the speeches in the house, but his mind refused to follow them. Th-^ ijlories of Ki^l Solomon's Mines even failed to divert his inmd completelyf from the thoughts which were at present engrossing iil He had refused to take Gertrude's answer as a final onel and he had, as a general thing, a faith in his " star," and] tried to make himself believe that it would soon be in the ascendant again. He was fully aware of his eligibility and could see no reason- -looking at the matter from a practi] cal standpoint — why his suit should not in the end successful. There was something, however, in the youd lady's manner and words v/hich gave him uneasiness {inij many misgivings as to the ultimate result. Then hj endeavored as a practical politician to call to his aid thj old adage as to there being as good fish in the sea as eva were cauffht — or as refused to iDe caught, in the presen case — ana he knew that he had but to cast in his he THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 131 and many of these otlier pfood lish would jump .it it. But he found this very poor consoliitioii for the present. Wlien a iiuin litis set hi.s heart upon salmon he does not euro to he tolfl that lie can have cod or nnickc.'rfl. Alt(>f,'ether llat- fipM snont a wretched day after his interview with Gertrude in the drawin^'-room and the friends who looke my requests pigeon-holed or refused on the spot, while some young stranger, with more influence perhaps, waltzes in ahead and gets just what he wants." Hatfield spoke in a light bantering tone, but, neverthe- less, Arthur's having been given precedence to him in one of the departments was still in his mind. „ *' Ministers have a way of forgetting sometimes who tlieir friends are, have they not?" said Mrs. Watkins with a meaning glance and a smile. " Oh, yes — in which, however, they but resemble almost all other less exalted mortals. That much may be said in extenuation," saying which, Hatfield raised his fur cap, and the ladies drove on. riiiiia 138 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. " Whjr did you not speak to him, Gertrude ? " queried Mrs. Watkins. " '.i think he was feeling a little hurt at your want of sym;)athy." " I did speak to him, Aunt. I asked him how his ar:.i was, and when he said it was so nearly well, surely there was no necessity for wasting more sympathy on a su})jcct he treated so lightly himself." Gertrude spoke with a slight trace of asperity, as much as she ever shewed to her aunt, or, in fact, to anyone. " Ah, I see how it is," returned ber aunt with a wearied sigh, " the sight of that young man Arthur has turned your thoughts from the common sense channel which I hoped they were taking. Now, if he would only take to Blanche, there might be some chance for him and for you as well. She is a kind-hearted lady-like girl and her father has the power to make something of him." She spoke of Miss Sterling with whom they had just seen Arthur driving. She always spoke of her as Blanche behind her back, though never in her presence. " I am sure I hope he may — if — if — it will be for his advantage," said poor Gertrude, in a tone w hich completely belied he^ words. " Yes, her father seems to take a decided interest in Arthur, and could give him a position if he liked, and Blanche would certainly make him an excellent wife," she was about to add " a much better wife than he deserves," but checking herself, continued : " of course he could never take anything like the position George occupies, even if he had ability sufiScient to take a part in politics. George will be a minister himself some day, if he chooses ; at all events he will be a leader, whether he cares to take office or not. His wealth fortunately makes that a matter of no very great consequence to him — though I hope myself to see him enter the Government some day. It gives a man an authority, and a recognized position which of course a mere private member, however eminent, cannot have. His wife Will undoubtedly be a leader in society, if she chooses, at once. That is why so many mothers are so anxious to gecure him for their daughters." THE CANADIAN SENATOlL id9 Gertrude was somewhat accustomed now to this sort of thing from her aunt. Her beautiful brown eyes were bent on the far off Laurentian hills which were now with- in view. She was thinking whether there could be any- thing in what her aunt had suggested with regard to Arthur and Blanche. The thought brought a pang to her heart and caused her lip to tremble. Her fine nostrils dilated, and tears came to her eyes. Fortunately the coldness of the day justified all these signs without their suggesting to the observer the tenor of her thoughts. Why ho- Blanch 3's father and mother taken up Arthur as they seemed to have ? If he and Arthur's father had been such warm and intimate friends, how was it she had not heard of it before ? Might there not be oome ground for supposing that the father had not thrown Arthur in his daughter s way without design, or, at all events, that he had no objections to an intimacy growing up between them, as it evidently was growing up ? Gertrude fully rocoofnized the advantaores which such an alliance wi^uld offer to Arthur. It would, no doubt, be the making of him, and she must consider his interest first of all, however bitter the thought might be to her. She was sure that Arthur could not be in love with Blanche. That, of course, she told herself many times, was out of the question. But then he was evidently not quite himself — that is, his old self. He was evidently distressed and piqued, and a man in that state, she thought, is ready to do almost anything. While she tried to feel glad at the thought that good fortune might be in store for Arthur, the thought was too heavy a load for her heart, which sank within her. " But do you think she A\ould marry him unless she knew he loved her ?" asked Gertrude, putting her thought into words, as she observed that her aunt had paused as if for aremark from her. Gertrude had, however, no doubt now that this young lady would marry Arthur if she got the chance. She had begun to think of her as a horrid design- ing girl — though she was in truth a good and gentle young lady. "Who would marry, 'who? Oh, if you mean Blanche %'\\ m\ ■■'.■ IP ■-I':'-' J- (ft 110 THE CANADIAN SENATon. marry Arthur — I don't know. I'm sure, I hope ao — but I was speaking of George." " Aunt, I hope you won't speak about George to mo any more — not i i that way at least — if I am to remain with you another week. I'm sure he's everything you say, but I'm sure also that he wouJdn't care for a wife who didn't care for him." Gertrude spoke so resolutely that her aunt thought it best to drop the subject — at any rate for the present. She merely raised her eyebows and her handsome head a trifle higher as she and her niece continued their sleigh-drive. CHAPTER XVI. THE SENATOR MAKES HIS MOTION. Senator Watkins' notice of motion respecting the Kick- aways excited a widespread interest. There had been a good deal of talk about the Indians in general and the way in which they were being treated by the government officials. It was said that some of the bands were at the point of starvation, that what food they got was bad, that musty flour, rotten pork and other deleterious articles were being supplied to them by dishonest contractors and in- human agents. It was charged that their petitions for food, clothing, seed and implements were ignored and that their moral welfare was not properly looked after, and in fact that gross immorality was allowed and even practised by those in the service of the government on the reserves. The humanitarian public was accordingly interested in the Senator's fortlicoming motion in expectation of liavingsome light thrown upon these alleged grievances and measures taken for tlie^'r redress. Then again another section of the community anticipated some " fun " as the result of the Senator's motion. It was known that he was somewhat out of touch with the government on several points, though himself a Conserva- ^ II THU CANADIAN SENATOR. 141 in to remain Qcl measures tive, and that he was of an independent turn of mind, fond of his own opinions and very obdurate in maintaining them. It was whispered that disappointed ambition in regard to the Speakership had a good deal to do with the independent stand which he was now accustomed to assume. According to the slang of the day, he was said to be a " kicker," and young Duffy had been the means of fastening the title of Big Kicker upon him, by asserting at the club that he was after the title and position of the famous chief of the Kickaways who was known by that name — a title which was destined to stick to the Senator for a long period. The Senator's question ubout the alleged white maiden, too, had drawn widespread attention ; and it was even hinied that Viceroyalty itself was much interested in the outcome of this enquiry. Then the press, and more especially the opposition press, had been devoting much space to the matter. Natur- ally the most of the charges as to Indian mismanagement found vent in the latter quarter, and besides the desire to have such charges investigated, in the case of one band at least, and of having justice done to the aborigines, the opposition organs were glad, on general principles, to encourage an attack upon the administration and to foment strife among its supporters. Accordingly they rang tne changes upon the Senator's notice and predicted interesting developments. Lastly, the Senator's wife had now become a factor in the social, if not the political, life of the Capital. The small receptions and afternoon teas which had been held in her rooms had drawn together not a few ladies and some gentlemen who had some grievances of more or less moment to themselves, for which they held the Government or some member thereof responsible, and who were ready to back anyone with pluck enough to stand up against the leaders of the party. They already looked upon Mrs. Wat- kins as a would-be leader or champion under whose banner they might range themselves, should she prove strong- enough to justify it, and, although Mrs. Watkins herself 1P 'ki^'* 142 tHE CANADIAN SENATOH. said little about the Senator's proposed motion, and indeed had inward mistrivings about it, her friends naturally asso ciatcd her with it and concluded that her uttbrts would be put forth in her husband's behalf. Mrs. Watkins could not of course have very well counteracted this impression liad she even known of its existence, and she had already learned that tlie Senator was obstinate and that it would be useless for her to attempt to stay his actions, at present at all events, in a matter of this kind, even were her doubts sufficient to justify such interference. The lady of the opposition who had boasted of some influence with tiie Senator at the opening of the House, a certain Mrs. Harri- son, had not exercised it in the direction of a withdrawal of his motion. On the contrary she had caused Mr. Wotkins to glow with satisfaction by an adroit reference to the notices he had given, when she met him one day, and had announced her intention to be present to hear his speech. All these causes contributing, it is not to be wondered at that there was, on the Tuesday fixed for the discussion of Senator Watkins' motion, such a gathering as had not been seen in the Senate Chamber on the occasion of a debate for many a long day. The club had emptied itself, the rotunda of the Russell House was well nigh deserted, sleighload after sleighload of fashionable ladies and their escorts had been deposited at the main ani private entrances to the Houses and were wending their way to the Senate. Swarms of civil servants had left their offices and bent their steps in the same direction. There was a thin House of Com- mons which would have evaporated entirely at one time had any member drawn attention to the want of a quorum. A French member held the floor and was treating the House to a long-winded speech in his mother tongue. Sir Hector Langevin sat listening and stoically held the fort. Other members of the Government came in and out, most of them much more interested in what was transpiring " in another place " than in the proceedings of their own Chamber. Even the Premier had gone out, and after adroitly dodging all the lobbyists in sight, had taken occasion to go round by the front entrance to the Senate Chamber. As he THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 143 parsed with jaunty step tho marble columns of the front lobby of the Senate he paused a moment before the entrance doors. The door-keeper hold open a door for him to enter, but Sir John, raising himself on tip-toe, contented himself with a glimpse over the intervening heads, at Senator Watkins, who was then on his feet, addressing the House, his face in such a glow that it seemed to shine even through the grey stubble of his beard. The Prime Minister took ill the whole scene at a glance, himself almost unobserved save by the Speaker of tlie Senate who sat opposite on the canopied eminence of the throne and almost started as he recognized those well known features in so unaccustomed a place. That one glance sufficed, and the eminent onlooker smacked his lips and pursued his way, wearing his cus- tomary inscrutable look. Just a suspicion of a twinkle in the almost expressionless light eyes as he turned away and a more eloquent wag of the uncovered head with its mass of hair, as he disappeared down the lobby as jauntily as he came, might have afforded some slight clue to the experienced onlooker to the thoughts flitting through the active brain within. Inside the Chamber, Senator Watkins now had full swing. His voice was clear and his manner not wanting in a certain dignity. So his wife thought as she watched him from the gallery. He was fluent too, and there was no uncertainty in his mode of expression. He was obviously very much in earnest. He began with a brief reference to his trip to the Northwest. He had heard a good many rumors about the condition ©f the Indian bands and he had taken the trouble to visit a number of them. Fortunately or unfortunately, those he had visited were, he had very 'good reason to believe, among the best cared for as well as the most industrious of their race. He felt it his duty to say this, although he had seen some things which had not altogr'ther pleased him. He had not had time or opportunity to visit the reserves of other less industrious, perhaps, and certainly less well cared for tribes. Among these were the Kickaway band, whose reserve lies along the Little Kicking River. He had k- « M m 144 THE CANADIAN SENATOR liad, however, the f^ood fortune to meet with a gentleman who had labored among them as a Christian mini.ster for Hoino time, a gentleman whoso word was entitled to every credence, he helieved, who was at present in the city, and whoso evidence would 1)0 forthcoming, if a committee were appointed hy tho House to investigate the condition of tb-is unfortunate Indian band. This reference to his chief witness by tho Senator, who did not, however, men- tion his name, created some stir among a knot of clergy- men in the gallery, who at once began an animated con- versation in whispers among themselves. Tho Senator proceeded to recount scvei'al of the charges of neglect, cruelty, and immorality which the evidence of this witness would, he believed, clearly establish. When ho made reference to the fact of so pernicious a work as Roherl Elles- mere being imported into the reserve, there was a per- ceptible snicker throughout the chamber, while the clergy- men even were observed to smilo. The clever face of the government leader who had been listening with respectful attention, lit up for a moment with a broad smile, as he made a note on the paper before him. Mrs. Watkins winced at this as slie watched the eliect upon the vener- able heads, of varied baldness, of the Senators, who had been for the most part paying respectful attention, for the heads began to wag, and some whispered colloquies be- tween neighbored ensued, while some of the Senators who had been busy writing laid down their pens to find out what the fun was about, and having ascertained, indulged in more or less quiet laughter. Senator Watkins paid heed to none of this by play, however. He had his notebook in his hand, and he felt bound to exhaust it before sitting down. He must also roast the Government a little now that he had them in a tight place, both because be thought they deserved it, and also that he might force them to grant a committee. So the Senator indulged in some caustic remarks, while his gestures and his color grew more and more pronounced. The government leader smiled again, whereat the Senator grew more angry. It was all very well for them, he said, to be living on the fat of the THE CANADIAX SENATOR. 145 land, carryinnr on tho Oovemmcnt with a high hand hero, whilo the uut'oitiumto tlmI men were pitilessly let starve or feed upon rotten pork, and con tract disease more hor- rible than death, f^onie niurnnirH of dinsent arose, but the leader looked as iinpertiirbahle as ever, and even glanced around as if to rebuke those who would interrupt Senator Watkiiis. Presently the Senator, who had pretty well exhausted his subject, as well as himself, aitor having wandered several tiuios into other topics, upon which he was not in unison with the Government, and having been many times re-called to the right path, by cries of "question," sat down amid some applause. The Speaker caat his eye over the chamber, but no one arose for a moment. Then the Governmient leader stood \v[t, and in the smoothest and blandest of tones began to express the thanks, which he felt sure the House and the country would accord to the Honorable Mr. Watkins, for having brought this subject before their attention. They had every evidence that the subject of the Senator's motion had aroused interest — v. idespread interest — and the leader gave a rapid side glance at the gallery. The Government were most anxious that its wards, the Indians, should be treated with every consideration. They believed that they were. It was impossible, of course, where distances were so great, to be absolutely certain that every charge made against a Government agent was un- true, however great the confidence the Government had in their agents. There might be truth in some of the charges brought forward. It might not be a very serious matter if some of them were. Just how far the presence of a copy of Robert Ellcsmere (the sound of laughter was here heard again) on an Indian reserve might injuriously affect the untutored red man, he was not prepared to say. There were others more capable of judging than he. But cer- tainly some of the charges, if true, were serious. The Government felt this. He had consulted the Superin- tendent-General. He had consulted his colleagues. The desire on all hands was that the fullest investigation should be had, with an anxious desire to do justice to the .1 ,li t . IS 146 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. aborigines, whose demands, he might be allowed to say, were sometimes rather extravagant, sometimes even dis- honest, but who should, nevertheless, be treated with both firmness and consideration. The Government, while it had no knowledge or information which would lead them to believe the charges made to be true, were so anxious that no wrong should be done the Indian tribes on the one hand, or no unjust suspicion attach to the Government officials on the other, that a committee would be appointed to investigate the matters referred to. He presumed the same committee could inquire into the subject of the ques- tion of the white girl and report upon that also. It might be convenient to so far anticipate the honorable gentle- man's question, as to which the Government could give no information at present, for the reason that they had none to give. The Government leader here paused and looked at Senator Watkins, who, now flushed with " victory, nod- ded his assent and produced a paper, from which he read several names he had to propose for the committee. The leader suggested some additions and alterations. Finally the motion was declared carried; and the committee struck. The whole affair ended so quickly and quietly that many of the spectators gave a sigh of disappointment as they turned away. Senator Watkins, however, marched out into the lobby, with the air of a victorious general, or the air which such a one is popularly supposed to assume, and was soon receiving the congratulations of friends with gracious condescension. His eye was wandering about, however, in quest of the Rev. McWhirter, whom he had seen just before the house met, but who was just now, apparently, nowhere to be seen. His wife and Gertrude came out from the gallery just then, however, and he went up to meet them. " Have got them rather treed this time !" he said, ad- dressing his wife, who did not look by any means as tri- umphant as he, as she replied with a laconic "I hope so." She did not feel like saying more just then, for the Sena- tor's lady friend, Mrs. Harrison, was beside her, and at once greeted the Senator. Tfifi CANADIAN SENATOR. 147 ** Oh, Senator, how well you acquitted yourself," she said, " of course you'U be suspicious of compliments coming from me, but 1 must have the gratification of saying that my predictions with regard to you have so far come true — have they not ? I'm sure they have been acting atro- ciously, and I do hope you'll show them up !" The Senator looked very gratified as he escorted the ladies to their sleigh. Gertrude said nothing. The scene in the handsome red-chamber had been very interesting to her, as her eyes had wandered over the assembly. She had caught sight of Hatfield who had come in with some of the members of the Commons. His face wore a half amused look for a time while his uncle was speaking. Then, again she thought he looked a trifle displeased or pained. Then their eyes had met and he bowed smilingly and shortly afterwards had disappeared. She thought the look of pain was rather on his uncle's account than on hers, and she believed he was getting over his little disappointment of last week very satisfactorily. " Allow me to congratulate you, Mrs. Watkins, on the Senator's speech. He pitched in in first rate style, don't you know !" Mrs. Watkins looked round and bowed somewhat stiffly to Mr. Duffy who had joined her and Ger- trude as they were moving away, the Senator and Mrs. Harrison, the lady of the opposition, preceding them. Mrs. Watkins was not inclined to encourage the attentions of a civil servant, even of one so socially distinguished as Mr. Duffy, so she merely acknowledged his remarks by an inclination of the head. " Just looked in to see the fun for a few minutes," the young man continued, glancing at Ger- trude. " Saw you and Miss Scuthcote and followed you out just tc say this. Have seen a lot of attacks on the Government in my time, but never saw a committee got so easily and nicely as the Senator did it, don't you know. We civil servants can't say much, you know, but I hope the Senator will follow it up. Lots of things ought to be raked over, you know. There comes my chief. Think I'll have to say au revoir," saying which Mr. Duflfy cm' ■I ; ir^E'^;:'^ 14s THE CANADIAN SENATOH bowed, casting another side glance at Gertrude, of a sheeps" eye character, which she could not resist laughing at. " Oh, Miss Southcote will never forgive me for that mishap at Rideau, I know. It wasn't my fault, it wasn't indeed !" and Mr. Duffy was evidently struggling between a desire to vindicate himself and to escape the observation of his chief, who might consider the company he was in an indication of his disloyalty to the government. " Oh, don't distress yourself in the least, Mr. Duffy," eaid Gertrude, still laughing. " I'm sure no one bears you any ill will. Pray don't sacrifice your country's time if it is only to make so unnecessary an apology." Mr. Duffy — a little flush suffusing his fresh blonde- whiskered face, glanced toward his approaching chief and hurried off in the opposite direction. Meanwhile Mrs. Harrison was walking by the side of the Senator. '• You have been doing excellent service for your country, ray dear Senator," she said, " I only hope you won't stay your hand. The leaders are evidently alarmed, but no doubt count on your fidelity to party, and perhaps think you are not so much in earnest as you seem/' " Nevermoreinearnestin my life !" exclaimed theSenator. " Exactly so. No one who really understands you, could doubt that for a moment. Tliat's what you should impress upon them unmistakeably, if you would succeed. I hope you won't mind my saying so, Mr. Watkins. I may not seem to you a disinterested adviser. Senator, but I am, nevertheless. It is not our fight you know, but I am none the less interested, as a friend of yours, I assure you. I have been watching the discussion with much interest, and no stone will be left unturned to make you draw back. I even fancy I saw a certain eminent face looking in at you this afternoon, when you were speaking," here his fair companion whispered a word or two to the Senator, which caused him to start, and flush a deeper sha«' i. " I'm sure anyone who thinks you can be cajoled out of the line of duty, whether Grit or Tory, will be mistaken, however^ my dear Senator," she added. I THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 140 e was m an the side of Mr. Watkins looked more triumphant than ever when, having placed the ladies in their sleigh, he resumed his search for the Rev. McWhirter. Some half an hour or so later a group sat in the smok- ing-room of the Rideau Club, composed with one or two exceptions of the same gentleman who were present at the conversation recorded in a previous chapter. One of these exceptions was our friend Mr. Graham of Montreal. " Positively the tamest affair you ever heard of," ex- claimed the ex-minister addressing Graham. " We had been promised a great sensation by Senator Watkins — a regular upheaval of that chamber of antiquities — the Senate ! To be sure I didn't expect much. Knowing old Watkins so long as I have, I felt sure he would be in- capable of creating a great sensation. He nianaged to draw a big crowd together, and to get a committee to inves- tigate his Kickaway grievances. But you may be sure there's a pitfall prepared for him somewhere, into which he'll be sure to fall headforemost. I went up just to see how the old ladies would conduct themselves. Haven't been there before for an age. Shan't go again in a hurry, either," he added, with a shake of the head, as he reached for his glass, and refreshed himself with a potation. " Why not ? " enquired one of the others. "Faugh ! " exclaimed the ex-minister, contemptuously, It only made me think how the thing might have have done. If I had taken up that matter, I'd have kicked up fuss enough to raise a perfect bobbery, you may depend ! I wouldn't have let it pass off with an oily reply from the leader, without a word of answer in it. There is plenty of crookedness in that department, plenty of red tape to be untied, plenty of pilfering, plenty of cruelty, and worse — but old Watkins isn't the man to get at it, and I'm afraid the Senate isn't the place," and the ex-minister looked around him with a look which said as plainly as words: "I'm the man who could do this thing properly." As his hearers began to prick up their ears, he added, " Of course I'm speaking only from hearsay. The Government don't know anything about it, I daresay, or as much as I or old Watkins." ■*^ ^'^'■- II I IHB; \ 'ill i ,, : r Jiff' 150 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. " I hadn't the pleasure of hearing Mr. Watkins' fipeech," said Graham. " I believe him to be an honest, well- meaning man, though, so far as my means of judging him go. I haven't been in the Senate Chamber for some years." " Think the thing ought to be done away with ?" queried the ex-minister. "You Imperial Federationists would Iiardly relish seeing old Watkins holding forth in the House of Lords, would you now ?" "I'm not aware that any Imperial Federationist has contemplated anything so fantastic in your eyes as that, or that we ever expect to see Lord Salisbury in our Senate either. The one would perhaps be as reasonable a proceed- ing as the other. I fear you are like many others who don't want to understand the aim and object of Imperial Federation." " Never saw anyone who did understand them !" " That's because you have been associating with other people who don't want to understand," said Graham, good humorcdly. " Those aims and objects may be summed up in three words : equal citizenship and co-operation. I for one should be sorry to see any interference with the legislative autonomy of any one member of an Imperial Federation by the other. We don't want to legislate for Great Rritain nor to have Great Britain legislate for us, nor Australia for either of us — except in-so-far as matters of common Imperial concern may require to be dealt with by a corncil drawn from all parts of the empire, whether its numbers be large or small, and whether its decisions be final or merely advisory, but backed by the weight of advice from a body representing the whole world-wide empire." " The greatest empire the world has ever seen, etc. !" put in the ex-minister, scoffingly. " And do you suppose the Parliament of Great Britain — the present Imperial Parliament is going to play second fiddle to any such body as that ?" " I can't say. They have a pretty full orchestra of their own and plenty of tunes of their own to play, it seems to THiS CAKAtlAN SENaToH 151 me, which they can probably play better without our interference. We don't propose to brigade the bands, but why shouldn't a few picked musicians from each be given the task of preparing the programme of truly National or Imperial anthems." " Fiddlesticks !" laughed the ex-minister. " To drop the metaphor then," said Graham, " and re- turn to my first proposition. All we want is a recognized position in the great federated empire — whose greatness I'm glad to see you recognize — and mutual co-operation in defence, in commerce and matters of common concern generally. I have no fear but that Britain will ultimately see it to her interest and the interest of her race, as indeed to that of the world generally, to advance her sons into a working partnership. I'm sure you'll admit that she'll find these sons — the 'auxiliary kingdoms,' Sir John once called them — worthy partners in her future glory. " " Dreams, idle dreams, I fear, my dear Graham. But you've strayed awoy from our Senate into the clouds. What would you propose to do with this excrescence on the body politic ? It is becoming venerable if not venerated, and may develop some of the strength of root as well as the rottenness of age. Won't it be a hindrance to your pet scheme?" . " Not at all," replied the Montreal man. " I've already explained that our legislative automony is to be preserved. That of course need not prevent our reforming or abolish- ing, if need be, any part of our own internal machinery we may desire to. I see you've got a hobby as well as I, and now that I've come down from what you call the clouds I'jn willing to give my ideas for what they are worth with regard to that narrower subject as well. Our Senate has done some service to the State, but no doubt it might be improved. What it requires is more intellect." "More what V* demanded one of the xiommons mem-, bers, laying down his newspaper with the air of one who had detected the scent of a novelty. " Hello, my dear Senator, come in," called the ex- minister to a junior, but portly, member of th© Senate, m m. liiii M ill' 15^ THE CANADIAN SENATOR. U#' V with a flower in his buttonhole, who at that moment looked in at the door ; " come in and hear the revolutionary proposal our friend Graham here is making for the re- suscitation of that venerable but decaying institution in which you cut no inconsiderable figure." " All right, what is it ?" demanded the portly but good natured Senator, as soon as he had been introduced to Graham. " He proposes to import intellect into your House," exclaimed the member who had laid down his paper to listen. " Wouldn't the Speaker leave the chair as if dyna- mite had been detected !" " Come, come, Johnson," said the Senator. " One would suppose Mr. Graham was proposing to rob the Commons to enrich the Senate, which would be perhaps a risky pro- ceeding." " Oh, you would be safe enough from being translated to the Senate on that basis, Johnson, my boy," said the ex- minister laughing. " I owed you one, you know, my dear fellow," he added, " and besides you are keeping Graham from evolving his plan." " Oh, my plan is a very siiaple one," said Graham. "As I said, I think the Senate has been of service, and at all events we could hardly abolish a second chamber here, while such chambers still exist in half the provinces. Election by the people has been tried and discarded after trial, by the leaders of both parties. Election by the legislatures of the province which already occupy them- selves too much with Dominion matters and issues, would be worse. My plan, for the present, is merely that, present company excepted," bowing to the Senator, "and also excepting the considerable body of able men in the Senate already, the rest of the material be gradually strengthened by the introduction from time to time of men of intellect, from all walks of life. Why should not some of the most eminent of our educationists, business men, retired judges, even clergymen, be from time to time drawn into the Senate. Would the presence of such a man, for instance, as Principal Grant of Kingston, notwithstanding his THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 153 cloth, not be a distinct gain to the power of the chamber and at the same time increase the respect in which iUis held by the people ? Perhaps the anti-clerical feeling and fear of being priest-ridden would be too strong to permit of appointments being made from the ranks of the minis- ters, even on a strictly non-sectarian and impartial plan. Something has already been done in the direction I indi- cate among the other classes, and the House has been strengthened in public estimation, at all events, but then again why should men be appointed only when age has already begun to weaken their intellectual powers ? Younger timber would strengthen the structure. — Now, yoii have heard hat you have chosen to call my plan. It is by no meitns revolutionary, you see." " Well, Graham, my boy," said the ex-minister, "if the thing has to be perpetuated, your plan is, perhaps, as good as any, and I think we'd better advise the Government to begin by putting you in the Senate to supervise the job of reorg^mization — but I say, isn't that young Dutty out there, who carries the gossip of the town under his hat ? Perhaps he knows when Watkins' Kickaway Committee is to meet. Call him in and see if he can't manage to have us smuggled in behind a door. I'd give a good deal for the privilege of attending before that committer. I sa}^ Duffy, have you got anything to do with subpcening the witnesses for the Kickaway Committee ?" he said, address- ing Mr. Duffy, who had entered the room. "If so, I wish you would have me summoned. I'm sure what I know, or what I don't know about the Kickaway s would prove of value to the committee." "I hear the committee meets to-morrow morning," answered Duffy, " as the members haven't much grist as yet from the 'Commons, and want to get thi-ougli this business and adjourn. I daresay if you ap[)ly to Senator Watkins he may be glad of your assistance, as one of the fellows told me he had spoken to him about the committee meeting, and he is looking high and low for his chief wit- ness, whom, it seems, he can't find." "Well, tell them to have me called," said the ex- ^M 154 THE CANADIAN SENATOK. minister, rising from his seat, as the party prepared to disperse. " I've no doubt I'll do as well, and I'd like to be there to see Watkins make an pss of himself.*' CHAPTER XVII. THE KICKAWAY COMMITTEE. Mr. Watkins stood in a quandary on the Sappers' bridge about ten o'clock on the following morning. He had, on the previous afternoon, consented to his commiit ;e being summoned for half -past ten o'clock this morning, and here it was ten o'clock and no McW hirter to be found. He had hunted the buildings for him the previous evening, had gone through library, reading-rooms and even restaurants, in search of him, though he almost passed the latter by, feeling that the reverend gentleman would not be likely to go to such a place. Yet the only trace got of anyone answering his description was there, as one of the attend- ants told him that a person tallying exactly with McWhir- ter in dress and n.ppearance had had a glass of brandy tliere an hour or so before. He remembered him because of the " pretty biggish horn " which he hr,d swallowed. The fittondant couldn't remember who had brought the gentleman there nor which way he had gone, and his sudden silence on the subject caused the Senator to think that the Rev. McWhirter had gone there, contrary to rules, alone, to have a solitary horn, and for the first time he He a slight smell of brandy or something equally strong when speaking to him, tliough he had thought nothing of it at the time. What if his witness should get on a spree and disgrace not only his cloth and himself, but him, the Hon. Ezra Watkins, who had placed such confidence in him, as well! The thought wr.s liorrible, and there arose in his mir d a vision of ^.Irs. Watkins and a recollection of her expressions of beixan to have some mismviiiors about his chief witness recalled havinsf once or twice observed a slisrht smell THE CANADIAN SENATOR 165 )repared to I'd like to it p.ers' brid/re He had, on nito :e beinp; ig, and here id. He had bvenlng, had restaurants, le latter by, Lot be likelj^ t of anyone i the attend- th McWhir- of brandy lira because swallowed, wrought the Dne, and his tor to think 'ary to rules, rst time he witness. He 'ht smell of iking to him, ime. What ,ce not only ira Watkins, well! The ir d a vision pressions of y doubt about the man, and he determined to say nothing altout the matter to her for the present. No doubt he would turn up in good time and all would be ri^ht. But lie had not turned up at the hotel during the previous evening as the Senator had expo( ted. So the latter had risen early and gone in quest of him. He had on a former occasion obtained the address of his boarding place, which was in Lower Town, and thither the Senator had this morning trudged, only to learn from the landlady that McWhirter had not returned the night before, that he had never had any luggage and even the small handbag he had carried when he came was gone from his room. The poor Frenchwoman was evidently very dubious as to whether " M'sieur Mavirterre " would ever return, and with tears in her eyes she assured the Senator that she had received no pay from him as yet, and she hoped the Senator would see that she got it. "But why in the name of goodness, my good womar, did you trust him ! He had plenty of money to pay you," said the Senator, looking at the little black-eyed woman rather fiercely, and thinking sorrowfully of his t •,» b.un- dred dollars. She said her husband was an attendant of som- sort at the Parliament buildings, and when she was debating with lierself as to whether she should not demand pay in advance, r^ooing the man had no luggage, her husband had told her that he had seen McWhirter in company with one of the leading Senators with wdiom he was evidently on intimate terms. If monsieur were the Senator in question, surely he would see her paid. Mr. Watkins returned sick at heart, and now stood foi" a moment on the bridge looking down at the snow and ice as if expecting McWhirter to re-appear from that quarter. In re.ality he was debating with himself as to whether he should return to the hotel and inform his wife of his trouble or go direct to the committee room, where the committee would, before long, assemble. He had a presentiment that he would not get much sympathy from his wife, more especially, if she learned that the man had $200 more of !'i: 'ill WMii ii M W: 156 THE CANADIAN SENATOIU his money anc^ had not even paid the morleat demands of hi«^ l)()ardin;2f-houso keeper. To know thar the man lodged in Lower Town would pi-obably he enough for h jr. Mr. Wut- kins therefore concluded to go at once and face the com- mittee. It would be humiliating, after all his bold talk of yesterday, to be obliged to ask an adjournment because ho was not prepared to prove his charges — and then other Senators seemed so anxious to get away. Would he be any better prepared to make good his charges after a week jr two's dtjlay ? If McWhirter shoijl 1 not turn up this morn- ing he thought his best plan would be to make a frank statement of aV the man had told him about the Kicka- ways, and ask an adjournment for the purpose of securing his attendance, at the same time acquainting tiiu committee with the fact of his disappearance. When Mr. Wa,ukins reached the committee room he found a dozen Senators assembled ready for work. Some fresh shaven and well starched, as to their linen, some shaggy, some bald, some stout and others tliin, nearly all more or less gray -haired. The Senators sat and chatted in groups. There had been no divorce proceedings, and Mr. Watkins' motion was as yet the most exciting episode of the session. The Government leader entered immediately after Mr. Watkins, and as soon as the roll had been called was at once elected chairman. A short discussion ensued as to the order of procedure. Unfortunately for Senator Watkins the other members of the committeo seemed to be unanimously of opinion that all preliminaries should be dispensed with, and that he should proceed forthwith to make good his charges. When Mr. Watkins requested that his motion of the day before be read, and suggested that the inception of the enquiry did not rest with him, he was met with the objection that it would be useless to spend time inquiring into the con- dition of the Kickaways, until the grounds of complaint were formulated and the evidence as to them taken. The other Senators were evidently satisfied as to the conditions of the Indians, until some grievance were shown to exist, and they be^an to suspect that Senator Watkins had been somewhat THE CANADIAN SENATOR 167 ands of his 1 lodged in Mr. Wat- 30 the com- )old talk (jf because ho then other d he be any r a week jr I this morn- ke a frank the Kicka- of securing o committee 30 room he 'ork. Some hnen, some n, nearly all d chatted in ngs, and Mr. g episode of immediately been called reckless, and that for some reason or other lie did not wish to undertake to establish his charges. A vote was therefore forthwith taken, and the onus cast upon the Hon. Mr. Watkins. The clerk had no sooner reeordod the vote than Mr. Watkins rose and made his statement. It was sub- stantially the same as that ho made in the Senate the day bei'ore, though more circumstantial and in detail. He was interrupted by a call for " proof." Ho then informed the committee he relied for proof upon the Rev. Mr. McWhirter, a minister of the gospol, he believed, who had furnished liim with the information just detailcMl, whom he had met on the train during his north-west tour, who had lived among the Kickaways and was yesterday in the city, Ijut whose present whereabouts he had been unablo to ascertain. He craved the indulgence of the conmiittee and asked an adjournment in order tliat the Rev. Mr. McWhirter might be found and brought forward to give evidence. A shaking of the grey heads and an ominous pause ensued. The Senators were becoming impatient of delays and wanted to hear some evidence or, failing that, to got home as soon as possible. The chairman only looked placid and as smilingly imperturbable as ever. At length he said, in his customary bland tone, that there was another witness present, who had personal knowledge of the Kickaways, and if the Hon. Mr. Watkins could give no information as to the whereabouts of the witness he relied on so that ho could be called, it might save time to hear the witness who was present, especiall}'- as he understood he did not wish to be detained longer than could be avoidcl in the capital. Senator Watkins' eyes followed those of the chairman and some of the others toward the entrance door, near which I he now observed Arthur Rashfellow standing. " Will Mr. Rashfellow please come forward," said the I chairman. Arthur obeyed, while the eyes of Senator Watkins idilated with surprise, and those of the other members of thft committee were bent upon the young man, some with curiosity, others with admiration of his fresh, frank, hand- iBome countenance. III ill m^ 158 TBS OANADIAN SENATOB. " Perhaps it would expedite matters," said the chair- man, as s(X)n as Arthur had been sworn, " if Mr. Rashfellow would iianate his own oxpcrioncos, in his own way, among the Kickaways, and at the end, any member of th(! committee who desires may ask such (juestions of him as he may see fit." This was assented to and Arthur, with a liei<^htcne to the Little Kicking River, see what the country w.s like, and, perhaps, renew his friendship with Mr. Dickson the farm instructor. He had done so, and Mr. Dickson had received him most cordially and hospitably. Mr. Dickson's wife, however was in very poor health, and he saw that the husband was greatly troubled about her. He was very anxious to take her away for a change of air, in the hope of restoring her health, and she, too, seemed equally anxious to go, except that she appeared to be greatly attached to some of the Indian women and chil- dren, whom she was instructing, and who evidently were equally attached to her. As he was himself a practical farmer, and was also glad to be of service to his friend in time of need, he offered to take Mr. Dickson's place for a few months, providing the consent of the department could THE CANADIAN SENATOtt. 159 1 the chair- Roshfellow way, among iber of the ns of him as , heightcmitl UirraHsment, e Kickaways man reassm- burned down ior Watkins, Then fixiu• vilization, for [ermined to g ' country w;^" Mr. Dickson Mr. Dickson Ipitably. Mr. ealth, and he ed about her. a change of le, too, seemed jpeared to be Inen and chil- [vidently were Jf a practical his friend in 's place for a lartment could be obtained. Leave of absence was subsequently granted to the instructor and his wife to visit British Columbia, and he (witness) had remained in charge all through harvest and until the new year, when they returned, the lady much improved in health. Interrogated as to the condition of the Indians, Rash- fellow said it was much the same as that of other bands he had visited. The men were, as a general rule, lazy, and neglected their farm work if allowed to do bo. He had managed to have the crops harvested in fair condition under all the circumstances, but only by dint of the greatest perseverance and the most careful oversight and even severity. They would neglect their crops and machinery, and everything else if they could manage to get off hunt- ing, or if they could get hold of liquor, which would, of course, put an end to work completely. In his opinion they were if anything, too well fed. The food was the same as that supplied to the mounted police, who were certainly not suffering. The machinery and cattle, too, were to a great extent wasted on them, as they neglected both, the machinery especially being abominably abused. Of course they expected all the latest appliances. Big Kicker had asked him if he couldn't get a " oinder," which would thresh the grain out as it went along and carry it on into store. He had had no difficulty about liquor, though Mr. Dickson had had a great deal. There had been a man on the reserve who was suspected of supplying liquor to some of the bucks, in_exchange for furs and other things. He had managed to escape detection for a time, having come upon the reserve in the character of mission- ary (at least such he claimed to be), but as his true char- acter was fast becoming exposed, largely through the exer- tions of the priest who visited the reserve, coming from the mission furtlier up the river, this man had suddenly departed shortly after he (Rashfellow) came there. During Arthur's recital Senator Watkins had sat with his eyes fixed upon him, and when he mentioned the mys- terious missionary, and the suspicions concerning him, and his sudd«n departure, Mr. Watkins breatk came I J ill H m\ 160 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. ! I ■I quickly, and with a sudden gulping sensation, he asked the witness if he knew the man's name. " McWIiirter — the Kev. Mr. MeWhirter he called himself. But I have been since informed that no such man holds any position in the church he claimed to represent, and I have every reason co believe the fellow au impostor. ' As Arthur answered this, quite unconscious of the terrible blow he was inflicting upon Senator Watkins, on whose forehead he noticed however, that beads of per- spiration had formed — a gentle ripple of laughter passed round the room. The other members of the com- mittee had recognized the name which Senator Watkins has so latelj^ given as that of his chief witness, Arthur however, had entered the room only the moment before he was called upon and had not heard Mr. Watkins mention McWhirtor's name. . " Describe the man's appearance," said Mr. Watkins. Arthur sketched briefly, from memory, the man's appearance. It was sufficiently accurate to leave no doubt upon Senator Watkins' mind. He leaned back resignedly in his chair with a sigh. A short stout gentleman had a question to put. Had Mr. Rashfellow seen any white children upon the reserve ? None but the children of the store-keeper, he said, and one other, which was certainly very fair, though apparent- ly the child of a half-breed woman, who had accompanied MeWhirter to the reserve as a s<^rt of housekeeper. In fact the child, he believed, was generally regarded as McWhirter's. Both the woman and child had disappeared from the reserve shortly after McWhirter's departure. A general shaking of grey heads followed this announcement. The Senators looked at one another, then I at Mr. Watkins and then at the chairmnn, who seemed as| imperturbable as ever. "Any other question to be put to Mr. Rashfellow ?" he| asked. " Just one moment," said Mr. Watkins. " Have youi seen anything of Mr. MeWhirter since you came to Ottawal Mr. Rashfellow ? " B(l himself, man holds I lerit, and I )stor. ' As he terrible 5, on whose I of per- laughter of the com- )r Watkins iS8. Arthur it before he ins mention Watkins. the man's to leave no leaned back o put. Had the reserve ? , he said, and gh apparent- accompanied ekeeper. lu regarded as disappeared ^parture. oUowed this another, then 10 seemed as dif ellow ? " be "Have you- Ime to OttawU; tHE CANADIAN SENATOH 161 Arthur replied in the negative, and was allowed to ^o. At that moment a telegram was placed in the hands of Mr. Watkins. He hastily opened it and read : Toronto, February 8th, 1887. If you still want me, send one hundred dollars through general post here. Alex. McWhirter. l^e Senator's first impulse was to wire the chief of the Toronto police to watch the post-oJ05ce and have the man who called for the required remittance arrested. On second thoughts, however he dismissed the idea. It was plain his $300 were gone, and he might be thankful that that fact was not public property and that he had not been bitten more severely. This thought was gradually working itself through his rather heated brain, when he was roused by the chairman : "Well, Mr. Watkins?" said that gentleman, blandly. Slowly the Senator arose. The ruddy color shewed itself through the short grey beard. His br w was moist, but his lip firm. " It is plain I have been deceived by a base man," he said simply, " and I suppose there is nothinf^ further to be done, Mr. Chairman, but to report the evidence already taken." " And ask leave to sit again ?" suggested the chairman " Not necessary in any case " answered the Senator. " though I may say at once, after what has taken place, 1 have no evidence to offer and regret having made a motion upon the statements of a scoundrel." And so the labors of the Kickaway Committee came to an end. The reporters had not been admitted, but during the day the whole thing leaked out and the papers had each its humorous account of the result of Senator Watkins' great attack upon the administration of the Indian Depart- ment, and the Senator had of course the satisfaction of reading in every paper he took up that no one had antici- pated any other result, though in some cases the suggestiea j'l I hi % • i p'-iu 162 THE CANADIAN SENaToR. )'; I k' V 1 I was thrown out that in other hands perhaps the enquiry might have resulted differently. He made a clean breast of it all to his wife. He felt that he must have some confidante to whom he could pour out his overwrought feelings. " What do you think of that ?" he asked as he finished the recital of McWhirter's duplicity. " I think someone has made himself very ridiculous. I neeilii't add the old saw as to the fool and his money," was the tart reply of Mrs. Watkins who felt the humiliation even more deeply than the Hon. Ezra Watkins himself. CHAPTER XVIII. ARTHUR SELECTS A BOOK. Arthur Rashfellow had come to the capital at the sug- gestion of his friend Dickson, the farm instructor on the Kickaway Reserve. The Litter's wife was still by no means strong, though the trip to British Columbia, to which Arthur had alluded in his evidence before the com- mittee, had done her an immense deal of good. Indeed so well did the climate of the Pacific slope agree with her that her husband became possessed with a strong desire to settle there permanently. While in British Columbia he had learned of an expected vacancy in the Government service there which he felt himself competent to fill and which, while it would afford about the same remuneration as he and his wife earned in their present positions, v/ould secure for them a residence in that climate which had proved so beneficial to her, witli, at the same time, a much easier and more comfortable life for her. On his return to the reserve he found that matters li;i(] been well managed by Arthur in his absence, the usually complaining Indians tranquil and contented, the crops all secured in good con- dition, and RashfiUow himself quite satisfied with tk« life ■!i' THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 163 [ at the sng- uctor on the still by no Columbia, to re the coin- Indeed so [ee with her »ng desire to ;;)oluuibia he Government to fill and |emuneratiou tions, would which had irne, a muc)i lis return to ell managed ling Indians n good con- ' i5i tk« l»ii» he had been leading and even evincing a desire for a con- tinuation of it. Under these circumstances it was natural that Mi-. Dickson should have begun to turn over in his mind tlie possibility of his being able to obtain the position he coveted in British Columbia for his wife's sake, and that he should at the same time have come to regard Arthur as the one who would best take his place on the Kickaway reserve. That the latter was unmarried was, he knew a- drawback, but not an insuperable one he thought. For the storekeeper's wife would be able to take his wife's place in the school, and for that matter what was to prevent a good- looking fellow like Arthur having a wife of his own ? He, Dickson, could not of course take action in the matter, him- self — at least not directly, and while he w^as not without some influence at headquarters, he w^as one of those who believed that a man on the spot with a good address and a little influence was worth a dozen influential persons writ- ing from a distance to the seat of government tlie usual formal requests on behalf of a friend. He knew from past experience how easily the latter are put ofl". How much easier it is for one in authority to pen a passable excuse and refusal, sitting in his office alone, with his correspon- dent at the other end of the Dominion, than to have the same excuse and refusal on the tip of his tongue when ho is being plied with reasons for granting the same favor, asked by the petitioner in person or some other equally solicitous on his behalf ? He had heard Arthur say that his father and one of the ministers had been intimate in boyhood. Arthur's appearance and manner were in them- selves a recommendation. A])ove all he seemed so attached to his present lonely life and so loth to leave it, that he be- lieved his young friend, if he took up the project at all, would throw his heart into it, for their mutual benefit. Accordingly he broached the project to Arthur, who at first refused to enter any region more civilized than the Kick- away reserve, but was at length induced to listen and then to consent to undertake the mission. Dickson offered to pay all expenses, but this Arthur would not agree to, and, as i!ll':l!' liiiilii III 164 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. the enterprise was intended to be to the advantage of both, they finally agreed to divide the expense, and Arthur set out for Ottawa. "Remember that a good atrong useful wife would be a great help," Dickson had said at parting " and you had better bring one back with you." •" Jack talks as if a wife were part of the necessary settler's effects," Mrs. Dickson added, but Arthur said nothing. And here he was at Ottawa He had, as we have seen, called upon his father's old friend, and had been well enough received. This gentleman had asked him to dinner and had next morning taken him to one of his colleagues, the minister in whose department the British Columbia position was ; for Arthur's first thought was to obtain this for his friend, caring much less as to his own fate. This ministei", whom they visited, while Hatfield waited, as the reader will remember, had already received a number of letters from supporters in different quarters, written at the instigation of Mr. Dickson and forwarded so as to reacli Ottawa about the time of Arthur's arrival thero. He was therefore to some extent prepared for Arthur's request, and — w^hile not definitely committing himself— had not been discouraging in his manner. Arthur had then been advised to wait be- fore pressing the other matter — his own appointment as farm instructor. His friend, the Hon. Mr. Sterling, had advised him to wait, promising to take him to the Superin- tendant-General of Indian Affairs — and he had waited. Tlien had come a summons to attend and give evidence be- fore the Kickav ^ Committee. He had goii efore the committee and told what he knew without I aking much of the matter. He did not read the newsj^>apers attentively, and had never been in the Senate, aii: ; ' ■■■> 174 tHE CANADIAN SENATORi if But do you know, dearest, there isn't such a thing as a piano on the whole Kickaway reserve ! " " Oh, HOW you are making fun of nie, and punishing me for my heartlessness ! " and the self'^^h thouglits she had indulged in on the bank of the Sault Ste. Marie lock came vividly before her. He at once melted, and said, " No, darling, 1 never really thought you heartless, and, I suppose I may tell you tlia;, though I am not to be instructor to the Kickaways, I am *^^o have a position in the department here. Dickson is to go to British Columbia and very glad I am of that. But the government either thought I would be wasted on the reserve, or the instructorship would be wasted on me. But I am to go into harness at a fair salary here, and my friend, Mr. Sterling, tells me I am sure of promotion, lie has been very kind to me and has really managed the whole business witli the other departments. I gave evidence before Mr. Watkins' committee, and that, it seems, hasn't done me any harm, whatever effect it may have had upon the Senator; though I had no idea of advancing my fortunes at the time, and simply told what I knew — no one, I am happy to say, suggesting anything else. But it seems governments are grateful ror even small favors, and I suppose that, coupled with Mr. Sterling's interest in me, has secured mc my position. When I got to my room after leaving you yesterday I found a note from Mr. Sterling asking me to see him at once, and when I went he asked me some questions, which someway led to my making a complete confession to him about you, and that seemed to help, too, and to-day he sent for me, and told me the matter was all arranged, and dismissed me with an invitation to dinner, and to accompany them to the ball this evening. So now you have the whole story, darling, except that I have to get up a bothersome examination of some sort. What do you say ? Can you give me another chance — and do you think you can live in Ottawa as the wife of a poor civil servant ? You have yourself, you see, been to some extent — I think to a great extent — the cause of my good fortune I " \H. i •'I THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 175 " I almost think I would rather live on your farm, if you had another cottage there. Not that I have eny tiling against Ottawa, but I should really like to try my hand at farming since my former folly and selfisliness lias found me out. Oh, Arthur, you cannot think how bitterly I have repented leaving you at Portage la Prairie last sum- mer — the heartaches, the sleepless nights and all !" His only reply was to draw her to his bosom, and kiss her once more as they stood preparatory to going down stairs, for the band had ceased playing for a time, and the loitering couples of whom they had had glimpses on the landing and stairway had disappeared, and they now guessed rightly that supper was going on. " You say you thought I had been making love to Miss Sterling," said Arthur, as they descended the stairs. " I had much better reason to think Mr. Hatfield was making love to you." " Poor Mr. Hatfield. I'm sure I wish him all manner of happiness. He has suffered enough on my account. You heard of our accident ? I hope he will secure a wife who will keep him from toboggan slides in future." When they reached the supper room, Gertrude found her aunt seated beside Mr. Sterling, while Mr. Watkins was in attendance upon Mrs. Sterling, and quite over- powering her with huge loads of trifle and jelly. Mrs. Watkins glanced searchingly at Gertrude, as she came up and gave Arthur a not ungracious greeting, as she knew that she was in the presence of his influential friend. • What did you do to George, Gertrude ?" ^Irs. Watldns asked. "He has gone of! some time ago, complaining of his arm, saying he would walk home and positively rel'using to wait for supper." " Most unaccountable," said Mr. Sterling, coming to Gertrude's rescue, for which she gave him a grateful look. "Look here. Senator, your nephew must be getting up another great speech — preparing to crush his opponent of the other day ! — as he has actually turned his back upon these good things," saying whicii the Minister quaffed hia glass of champagne with apparent gusto. good 11 ii'll 1 li' I ' Is J." 176 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. *' George is a stuilious fellow," answered the Senator, who had often taken note of the blue books about his nephew'y room, though he had never caught him in the act of studyinty them deeply ; " and he doesn't care much for tlMS sort of thing. It takes old fellows like ourselves to appreciate these things now-a-days. A little ice-cream, madam — here, I say, waiter, some ice-cream for Mrs. Ster- ling. Yes, a,s I was saying to Madame Bureau, only this evening, I believe that after all I enjoy this sort of thing more than all our proceedings in the Senate." " And what did she say ?" asked Mrs. Sterling, rather amused. " She said ' perhaps this sort of thing was the most profitable amusement of the two.' I doubt it, madam. I doubt it, indeed — but then I must say it's pleasant \" and the Senator bustled off' to have another passage with the lively hostess. Another waltz Arthur and Gertrude managed to snatch, despite the serious looks of her aunt, who was troubled at the turn affairs among the young people seemed to have taken, though she did not care to manifest it too plainly. It was the most delicious and happy dance these two had ever known. It was happiness enough for Gertrude to know that she had confessed her own former heartlessness and her unalterable devotion to her first !ove. She had never doubted his love for her, though she had been fearful as to what lier selfish (as she now regarded it) conduct might lead him into. Now that she had put herself right she was content to live or die — to go to the ends of the earth with him, or wait for years until he should make a home for her here. To him the thought that he was still beloved by the one girl he cared for, after she had seeu more of life, liad been admired and sought after, was simple ecstasy. He even sympathised with her former reluctance to undertake the life he had before offered. He would now work, deny himself, do anything to give her the comforts she deserved and to deserve the love he was now assured had never altered. A glance from those soft eyes, a gentle THE CANADIAN SENATOR. 177 ihe Senator, 8 about his m in the act re much for ourselves to le ice-cream, )r Mrs. Ster- au, only this lort of thing 3rling, rather ^as the most t, madam. I easant 1" and sage with the ged to snatch, 8 troubled at jmed to have p too plainly, lese two had Gertrude to heartlessness ^e. She had been fearful it) conduct herself right I ends of the ould make a ;t he was still she had seen er, was simple ler reluctance le would no^v the comforts now assured eyes, a gentle pressure of the hand from out the sleigh at parting, sent him home tlic happiest man in Ottawa. B fore she slept Gertrude told her aunt her whole heart's story. She spoke so clearly and unfalteringly of her love now that Mrs. VVatkins' objections were, at least, subdued into silence. Gertrude, as has been said, was fond of her runt, and liked to have aer good opinion, and Mrs. Watkins knew it. But she new recognized that her niece's love for Arthur was too strong for any counter in- fluence from her, and she sul)mittcd with as good a grace as possible imder the circumstances. She thought, with a sigh, of Gertrude's infatuation and folly, but she would make no further attempt to counteract them. This she told her brother in a letter written to him next day. CHAPTER XX. CONCLUSION. Arthur and Gertrude are happy now in their modest home at the capital. Their happiness suffices for them, though their house is small. Arthur, since entering the Civil Service, has had several ad>'ances. He has his boat, which they can step into on the river within a stone's throw of his house, and in it they often make extensive trips upon that noble stream. Their beautiful little daugh- ter is usually a participant in these trips — though not always in the walks by land which they often take. Gertrude has grown even more beautiful — in the eyes of her husband, at all events — than when the reader last heard of her. She cares not for the gaieties of the session, though she has not completely left off going out into society She thinks, however, now only of Arthur's and their child's happiness, and loves best the seasons when no Parliamentary session stirs the somewhat sluggish and I !! ill i 1 1 11 i I' • i 178 THE CANADIAN SENATOR. uneventful life of the capital. She likes, especially on a quiet autumn afternoon, to walk with her little ^rl up to Parliament Hill, admire the flowers and foliage beds, gorgeous in their autumn dress, and seating herself where she can gaze out over that noble view of river, and valley, and mountain, dream away an hour until Arthur joins her, and — their child between them — they stroll homeward to a quiet dinner, to be followed by music — for the Senator's wedding present to her was a Cana- dian upright piano — or perhaps in the earlier part of th(3 season a row on the river. Frank, whose college caree • is almost completed, spends a few weeks with them every year — and a fine handsome young fellow he has grown to be — and rosy cheeked, good-hearted sister Katie has once accompanied him. As for Gertrude's mother, she has grown much better in health. She was able to be at her daughter's wedding, and from that da}'' seems to have been growing stronger, and the thought comforts Gertrude greatly — while Mr. Southcote tells her laughingly, that by the time she gets Katie off her hands, s!ie will be a stronger and heartier woman than ever. Gertrude says she still hopes Arthur may be able some day to rebuild Prairie Cottage — for he still holds the farm — so that she may " vindicate herself," as she expresses it, by living and working, for part of the year at any rate, on the farm. Arthur is the same gay -hearted affectionate fellow he was in the days of their earlier courtship, and his chief reports to the honorable Mr. Sterling, who occasionally enquires about his progress, that he has developed into a capital office man and that he wouldn't be surprised if he should become a deputy head some day. Mr. Hattield has made good the promise of his early parliamentary days, and is now a Cabinet Minister. He has once or tvrice dined at Rashfellow's and has apparently recovered his disappointment at Gertrude's refusal. He has not yet married, but it is hinted that his frequent fly- ing trips to Montreal will result in his bringing a hand- some bride to the capital ere long. Mr. Duffy reports tliat she will hill i^ fum an additioual fortune in time, avS well as furtksr r>r''{ir^Ri inflirince. tltE CANAtoTAN SENATOll. 17d Mr. Graham, occasionally when he is at Ottawa, drops in upon Arthur, who takes him off to lunch with his wife, and tell her how he helped him, (Arthur), "keep heart and try his luck again," He says Graham has almost made an Imperial Federationist of him. Mrs. Watkins, since the Kickaway fiasco, has taken the Senator in hand, and has almost succeeded in making a practical politician and useful legislator of him. She knows that these are the best roles he can assume with any hope of preferment, and, being still ambitious, she does not despair of helping him some day into a more exalted position than that he as yet occupies. The Senator still privately hints at grave abuses in the administration of the Indian Department, but says that he will never make a positive assertion on the sul^ject until he has time to go personally to all the reserves to judge for himself ; but as his wife insists that she must in such case go with him, but exhibits no anxiety to set out and in fact has privately made up her mind to temporize until he becomes disinclined — or too old — to go — it is safe to predict that he will make no more attacks upon that department from his place in the Senate. THE END. v.. 600D BOOKS BY THE MOST POPULAR AUTHORS. CHOICE COPYRIGHT FICTION SERIES. I Boheberasade. By Florbnoi Warden 80o. 5 From the Otber Side. By the Author or UUv» Varcot iOo. S. Mona's Choice. By Mho. Alkx- AHDBR 800. 4 Blarvel. By Thi Duourss 80o. 6 A Life Interest. By Mbb. Alkx- ANOBR 80O. A False Start. By Hawlit Smart 80o. 7 The Passenger from Scotland Yard. By H. P. Wood 80o. 8 King or Knave. By H. E. Fram- OILLON 800. B A Real Good Thing. By Mrb. Edward Ksnnard 80o. 10 The Wrong Road. By Uajob Arthur ORirriTHs 80o. 11 " Chris." By W. E. Nobrw 80o. 12 A Glorious Gallop. Bt Mb£. Edward KiimARu 26c. 18 The Devil's Die. By Grant Allbn 8Co. 14 Old Blazer's Hero. By Datis C»'-'«iTiR Murray 80o. 16 Broezie Langton. By Oapt. Hawlbt Smart 80o. 10 T!te Heir of Linne. By Robert Buchanan 80o. 17 By Misadventure. By Frakk Barhjjtt 80o. 18 A Dead Past. By Mrb. H. Lovbtt Gambroi: 80o. 19 Beautlfol Jbn. By JohnStrakob WiNTJiR 80a 20 Beyond Comphro. By Chas. QlBBOM 80o. 21 The Honorable Mrs. Vereker. By Tub Ddohebs 80o. 22 The Mystery of a Turkish Bath. By Rita. . , 26o. 28 Beetle's Children. By John Stranob Wintbr 260. 24 The Pride of the Pad'^ock. By Capt. Hawlbt Smart 2B3. 26 In All Shades. ByORAK ^llbn 30o. 26 Killed In the Open. b. Mrs. Edw. Kenkard 80a 27 The Girl in the Brown Habit. By Mrb. Edw. Kbnnard SOo. 98 The Death Ship. By W. Clark RUBBBIiL 80o. 29 A Crack Count}'. By Mrb. Edw. Kbnnard 80o. 80 Logic Town. By Sarah Tttlrr.. 80o. 81 Straight as a Die. By Mrb. ^DW. Kkknard 80o. 82 The B^^okoning Hand. By Okaiit ALLBB 800. M The Rogue. E^ W. K, Norru.. .. 80o. 84 A Flight to France, By Julbb 86 A Witch of the HUis'.' b/flor. KNCK WARDKM 80o, S6 The Maddoxes. By Jbah Mid- DLKMA8 30a 87 A Crown of Shame. By Flor- kncb Marryat 80e. 88 The Ladies' Gallery. By Jus- tin McGartuy and Mbb. CAMPBSLii Prakd 40a 89 The Man Hunter. By Dick DONOVAK 80a 40 Long Odds. By Oaft. Hawlrv Smart 80a 41 The Match of the Season. By Mrs. Albxakdbr Frabrr sOa 42 Englishman of the Rue Cain. By the Author of Fasaeiiger from Scotland Yard 80a 48 In Exchange for a Soul. By Mary Linskill 30o. 44 Dolly • By Justin McCarthy '25a 46 St. Cuthbert's Tower. By Florenob Warden SOa. 46 A False Scent. By Mrs. Alex- ander 25o 47 John Herring. By Rev. S. Baring Gould 40a 48 Landing a Prise. By Mrs. Edw. Kknnard 30a 49 The Girl from Malta. By the Author of The Myttety of a Havsom Cab.. 30a 60 Mehala^ ByS. Barinq Gould... 40a 51 Lightly >• ,ost. By Hawley Smajit 30a 62 The Pretty Sister of Jose. By Francks Hougson Birnett 25a 63 The Fog Princes. Ly Florence Warden 80a 64 Under a Strange Mask. By Lieut. Frank Bakrbtt 30a 66 Harvest. By John Stranob Win- ter SOo. 66 Lord and Lady PiccaJilly. By Thb Earl op Dbsart SOa 67 The Last Coup. By Hawlky Smart , 30a 58 A Troublesome Girl. By The Duchess 26a 69 A Little Fool. Bt John Stkanoe Winter 25a 60 Under Which Lord. By Mrs. E. Lynn Linton 80a 61 Seventy Times Scren. By Adeline Ser«eant 30e. 62 Mr. Stranger's Sealed Paket. By Hugh McColl SOo, 68 The Duchess of Rosemary Lane. IV B. L. 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"Mr. Wood is a clever writer. Indeed, if this be his first literary ven tare, he is very much to be congratulated on the success which he has achieved. . . Sensation enough and to spare, but all of the most pleasantly stimu- lating kind ; and we are not ashamed to confess that at times we were aware of a thrilling sensation which recalled our youth and the days when we read for pleasure and not for business. Therefore the delights in store for the casual reader of Mr. Wood's book may be imagined." — Whitehall Review. " A detective story, the author of which is very skilful in suggesting wrong theories for the reader to start upon." — St. James's Gazeite. '* Mr. Wood's clever and exciting tale. . . . The book is an uncom- monly favorable specimen of its class ; the characters are well drawn, the style is alert, and the ingenuity of the plot is worthy of Gaboriau. The denouement is spiritedly worked out. Mr. Wood takes great pains with his minor characters, and the results are eminently satisfactory." — Athen^^um. "Clever and interesting." — Congregational Review. "An undeniably clever story. . . . The interest of the story is cleverly maintained, and the adventures of ' The Passenger from Scotland Vard, and the group of conspirators in whose movements he manifests such a lively concern, are put through their paces in a sufficiently sensational way to please even a bUue reader of this 1 ind of fiction." — Leeds Mercury. " This is a cleverly narrated detective story, on an original plan, and with original and sharply drawn characters. . . . We cordially commend the work as a clever and conscientious sketch of contemporary life, and as a thoroughly entertaining * tale of two cities.'" — Galignani's Messenger. " A detective story of far more than ordinary interest. . . . It is far above the ordinary range of such fiction. . . . It is a well constructed, well written, powerful story." — Scotsman. " The detective of fiction is still irresistible. . . . Mr. Wood's por- traiture of the great Byde of Scotland Yard is cleverly managed. . . Most people will try to get through ♦ The Passenger from Scotland Yard' at a sitting. "--»Glasgow Herald. TORONTO : THI NATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY. SI. AIIBUA HIVES' nOMANCE, m. The Witness of the Sun stined to hav« tl reached in ; of unmixed rature have in )nstructed and much abused to this clever ... The 1 to Paris."— St literary ven z has achieved, easantly stimu- we were aware , when we read n store for the HALL Review. il in suggesting ok is an uncom- \it\\ drawn, the aboriau. The pains with his .THENiEUM. ■ the story is ■rom Scotland manifests such ensational way Mercury. pinal plan, and dially commend y life, and as a Messenger. . . It is far ell constructed, r. Wood's por- naged. . . land Yard' at a lY. Those who said that '* The Quick or the Dead " was powerful and Intereflting- but not well written, now have an opportunity of reading another story by the same author, which is strong", absorbing*, original and exquisitely expressed. It is calhKl " The Witness of the Sun,' and is published in book form. Whether Miss Rives has read the most intelligent of the criticisms about *'The Quick or the Dead," and profited thereby, we do not know. Most of the criticisms were not intelligent. They were the offspring of ignorance, prejudice, conventionality, puritanisra and hypocrisy. All defects of stylo and all crudities and affectations grantm, there was enouffh in the book to prove that the author possessed an original and gifted mind and a rich and extraordinary temperament. This was conlirmed by the remarkable trag-edy of "Herod and Mariamne," which showed the author to bo a poet and dramatist. She lacks, indeed, the technical knowledge of the dramatist who writes for the stage ; but in the splendid expression of superb thoughts in drama- tic blank verse she distances all other American authors of the day. Her cajjacity for improvement in the mere matter of style is most triumphanti;, evinced in "The Witness of the Sun." Here she shows herself intimately familiar with all the legitimate devices that rhetoric presents, while at the same time making use of every opportunity that belongs to the poet and the sensuous lover of the beautiful. We have not space to-day to recount the story in full. It must suffice to say that Ilva, the heroine, is an Italian, and Nodrovine, the hero, is Russian. They love. His mother disapproves of it. In order to bring" it to an end she contrives matters so that he shall see his mother passionately embraced by Ilva's father, Count Demarini. A duel be- tween the two men results. The Count is killed, though by an accident. The young man, taking for granted that Ilva will never wed th» slayer oi her father, enters a monastery, under a vow of perpetual silence. Thence he is sent on an errand of mercy to the cottage of Vandebec, near the sea. On the sands he encounters Ilva. A reconcilia- tion is effected. All at once he is called to rescue Ilva's little cousin, the child Lotta, who is sinking in a neighboring quicksand. Saving the child he is himself engulfed. Lotta runs to i)rocuro aid. Ilva, p<;r- ceiving" the death of her lover inevitable, jumps into the quicksand' Ixj- flido him, and wreathing her arms around him they sink together - the sun the sole witness. In delineation of character, in thoughtful and poetic comment, in exquisite beauty of description, in the construction and consecutiveness of powerful and dramatic scenes, in the exaltation of devoted and unselli.sli love as one of the supremest boons of life and possibilities of experience. " The Witness of the Sun " is a very remarkable romance, such as could emanate Dnly from a writer of great and original powers. — New York Morning Journal. Canadian Copyright Edition. Price, 25 Cents LE NATIONAL PUBLISHING (OMPANY. TOROMO. m m t ^^'^V IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 I.I ltt|28 |25 Ui i^ 122 2.0 us IL25 iU 6" i 1^ V] /^ -/^^i w /A W % '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation V ^ <> rv 6^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 873-4503 :* (ttOWN StO, ^APBR, SO (mfi. THE MAN-HUNTEB: LSAYBS FROM TAB NOTB-BOOK OF A DETECTIVE. BY DICK DONOVAN. " This is a e«irital book for nilway reading It will s«rr« t« plsas* antly while away an idle hour." — Echo. " The stories are not the less enthralling in their interest because they are the lecord of actual experience An entertainine book For some time past the appetite for sudh stories has been keen in the public mouth, and Mr. Donovan's ooUsction has every prospect of success before it." — Scotsman. " Thrilling stories, told with a literary skill and force of imagination well calculated to eudt the interest of the most careleu reader."— Pbrthsmim Advertiser. " Entertaining detective stories. They are well written, and deal with a variety of crimes and strange adventures." — Manchester Examiner. *' Without doubt one of the best collections of detective stories ever pro* duced."— Derbyshire Courier. " From the circumstantiality of the details that are given, it is clear that the stories have been vrritten by a genuine detective Several of the stwies contain a wealth of pathos, and are characterised by a refinement of style which cannot fail to be admired. But Dick Donovan's experiences have not all been pathetic. Readers of his adventures will find them as varied as they are inter* esting."— Dundee Courier. " There are few detective narratives which are likely to meet with more approval, or find a laig-er class of readers, than ' The Man- Hunter.' Admirably written and very fascinating." — Society Herald. *'A capital volume .... .A clever and fascinating book in every respect." — ^DERBY GAZETtE. ** 'The Man-Hunter ' is a story-book which should have a phenomenal circulation." — Illustrated London News. " The adventures of a successful thief-catcher, well told by himself, have a binarrt fascination of their own, and certainly Dick Donovan's exploits lose none of their glory in his deft handling." — Whitehall Review. <* The tales are well told, and the book is distinctly worth reading."— Manchester Guardian. " For such a book as this popularity is certain. The tales are very deverly told, the situations are thrilling and exciting, and the ingenuity and patience with which the slender threads of evidence are followed up are i«asask- able."— BiRMiMOHAM Daily PofX. T?^ OF A s. $6i000. from an Investment of $50. 1 MTTt to plMt- rest because they )k For some ublic mouth, and it."— Scotsman. f imi^nation wcU ."— Pbrthshiri 1, and deal with a SXAMIMKl. j Stories CTcr pro- m, it is dear that ^eral of the stories sent of style which ihave not all been as they arc inter- meet with more lunter.' Ld. lin every respect* re a phenomenal I by himself, have a's exploiu lose [IBW. lorth reading."— Le tales are very lie ingenuity and leduparertmafk- THI8 reiiiarkablj rtmnnaratlTe rstnm from m imall an InrastrntDt hM bean raallatd by MTeral thousand inTMton in SI. Louia and New York, who invcated in tha biiaroe of the Qranite llountain Mine of Montana. These ahares, now selling at 160 each, were purohased Ave yean ago at fltty oenta each, and the Oompany this year has paid dividends of orer a million dollan. About a year ago two poor proepeotora aooidentally diaoovered aoma rioh looking rook on tha side of a mountain a abort olstanca from tha Granite Houn* tain Minea. They had with them enough " grub " or food to laal about two months, to at OBoa aat to work with pick and ahoval, to tunnel into tha aide of tha mountain After working ataadily until their proviaiona gara out, they found they had run their tunnel in aboutilftyfaatonariohledgia of ailrer and gold ore, averaging two to three feet wide. Being oompelled to get back to the oeareat town Elliaton, 9 milea distant on the Northern Padtto R.B. to obtain mora aupplias to oontinue tha work, they took with them eaoh a aaok of ore, and ware aurpriaed to And tha ratuma from aaaaya and working the whole amount to be $106 to the ton. They organised she property into a Ck>mpany oalling it the WcM Bt. Mining and Milling Co,, andlnduoed three other minera to Join them, and they for their work in tha minea decided to takt aharea In the oompanv aa remuneration. By selling aoma aharea to amall invaatora and atorakeapera in tha vidnlinr, who in tha mean* tfane had thoroughly looked into tha prospeota of tha property, tney bought enough anppliaa and toola, and returned to tha minea. Tney now have run three tunnels on the property. Tunnel No. 1 being the original tunnel of 60 feet. After examining the ledge thoroughly they decided they were on top of a rioh ahnte (A ore and therefore atartad a tunnel further down the mountain, at Tunnel No. 2, atriking tha ore at tha aurfaoa and following in 160 feet, the ledge showing 8 ft. wide and richer than above. From tha indicationa they decided the rich body of ore was still below them, ao they sunk a abaft on the ore and at a depth of 12 feet, found the ledge 6 ft. wide and ore body improving, and the ora they took from the bottom of the ahdn upon asaay returned $106.00 in ailvar and 18.00 in gold to the ton. Theae men are now in a poaition where they need larger madhinery to get the ore out rapidly to ship to the smelter at Helena, 80 milea distant, and not wishmg to part with their mine, they decided to offer 10,000 ahares to the public at fifty cents each. The par value of each share being 92.00. When the propoaition was brought to our attention, one of our firm went out and examined the enteipriae thoroughly and inveated in it for ouraelvea, and we offer iha balance of these shares, assuring inveatora of their being a good and aafa Inveatment, and wa are confident of its proving extremely profitable. One of the minera, (who took anarea aa wagaa,) just in from the minea, aaya he ispositlve with the necessary machinery his aharea will be worth $6.00 eaoh in a year. The renowned Drum Lummon Mine, owned by the Montana Company, Limited, of London, Eng., ia olao near this property and hat returned in divtdenas to thareholden 93.600,000 in pa$t five yeare. Sharea offered in lota of from 10 ahares up, at 60 oenta each. The Company retain the right of raising price at any time. After these ahares are taken no shares can be purohaaea from the Company lower than $1.00 and but one or two thousand at that price. The entire returns from sale of these sharea are apant in providing maohlnaiy and developing tha property. Forpartioulara addraaa, E. R. NEELY & CO., Membere li. Y. Stoekaiid Petroleum emkanget. BANKERS, limtmwt 9to9k9 vn «Mtf« a BfeulaHf. 47 BROAPWAY, N. Y. QITY. IM u\ II s r ^.: h REALTN, STREN6TH & VI60UR Tbtrt it BotUng will nman tiiat *' tired o«t " feeUng •• qnioUy m ■ bftth in wliich a spoonfol of Medietl Lake Salts has been diMolved. It re- freshes, InTigorates and strengthens the sjrstem, better than anything else in the world. It leaves the skin beantiiiilly soft and free from all impurities. Thonsand of people have REGAINED the strength of their youth by bathing in this water, and drinking a pint oi two daily. The Salts are obtained by evaporating the Mineral Spring Water that supplies Medidil Lake. One packet will when dissolved moke twenty* five gallons, just the same as if you went 3,500 miles to the Lake for it It's cost is only FIVE CENTS a Gallon, delivered at your own home. Why suffer from Rheumatism, Kidney Trouble, Catarrh, -Nervous De« bility or any skin disease, when you can at so small a cost obtain the life> giving Salts obtained from this wonderful Mineral Water. All these troubles are permanently cured ^ BY USINQ the remedy provided by nature, known as Medical Lake Salts. The reascm why these Salts effect so many cures is because they supply the system with the most important inorganic &dts which are found in healthy Mood. The eminent i^ysidan Austin Flint, MJD., LL.D., New York, and others, have recently discovered a defidebcy of scmie of these Salts in paaoBS anffering from various diseases. MEDICAL LAKE SALTS act directly on the digestive organs of the stomaCh, lirer and kidnqrs. ^A a perfect digestion the blood is pure and strong, and with itrong and pittt blood no disease can exist Sold for a One Dollar packet with circulars and tastimonlab from hundreds of Canadians who have recently been cured