THE LONG PORTAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14984, 4 May 1912, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE LONG PORTAGE.

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ABRAKGBMEKT.

BY /HAROLD BINDLOSS, Author ot " For' Love and Honour," "A. Wide Dominion," "His Adversary's Daughter," "The Kingdom of Courage," " Tho Ui»tre#B of Bontventure," etc.

'COPYRIGHT. CHAPTER VI. KABMTTH TELLS HIS STOUT. Dinner was over, and Millicent's elderly companion had discreetly loft them alone, when the girl led Nasmyth into her draw-ing-room. It was brightly lighted and tastefully decorated in delicate colours, and a wood fire was burning on the hearth, but for the first time that he could remember Nasmyth felt ill at ease in it. He was fresh from the snow-covered rocks and shadowy woods, and though not an imaginative man the refinement and artistic luxury of his- surroundings rather jarred on him. The story he had to unburden himself of dealt with elemental things—hunger, toil, and death—it would sound harsher and more ugly amidst the evidences of civilisation. " You have a good deal to tell me," Millicent said at length. He stood leaning on a chair-back, looking at her. She nad already seated herself, and the, sweeping lines of her pose suggested vigour and energy held in quiet control. Her face was warm in colouring, bearing signs of exposure to wind and sun, but it was chastely moulded in a fine oval with the features firmly lined. Her hair was dark, though there were bronzy gleams in it, and her eye®, which were brown, had a sparkle in them. Ajb a whole, - her appearance indicated a sanguine, optimistic temperament, but there was also an indefinite something which spoke of due balance, restraint, and repose. Nasmyth was more convinced than ever that he had not met any other woman fit to compare with her. Her age, as he knew, having given her many birthday gifts, waiS twenty-four. "Yes," he caid, in answer to her remark, "but it's curious that I can't fix my mind upon the subject here. The night's mild j shall we go out into the verandah?" "Wait until I get a wrap. I think I understand." "Yon always do that," Nasmyth replied..

: She joined him outside in another minute and seated herself in the chair he drew out. The house was small and irregularly built, and a glass roof supported on 1 light pillars stretched along part of its front. A half-moon hung above a ridge of dark fir woods, and a tarn gleamed below, and hero and there down ; a shadowy hollow there was a sparkle of running water. On the other side of the dale the moors stretched away, waste and empty, towards tho half-seen hills. The loneliness of the prospect reminded Nasmyth of Canada, and the resemblance grew moro marked when the crying of plover rose from the dim heath—it brought back tho unearthly call of the loon. Still, - he. did not wonder why Millicent, who was an orphan with ample means, lived alone except for her elderly companion, on tho desolate border.

" You don't mind, I know," he said as he lighted .a cigar. "I can make that concession willingly," she told him with a smile. , "I suppose m old-fashioned, because I go no farther." "Keep so," said Nasmyth. "Of course, that's unnecessary, but I never could make out why women who can handle a troutrod or climb to the grouse-butts should consider it necessary to learn to smoke. From my point of view, it isn't pretty."' Ho was putting off a task he shrank from, and, recognising it, sho indulged him. One retains one's prejudices in a place like this," she replied. " I felt dreadfully behind tho. times when I was last in London. The few visits I made in the home counties a little while since astonished me, too—nobody seemed to stay at home; the motors were continually whirling theni up to town and back; the guest® kept coming and going. There was so much restlessness and bustle that I was glad to be back upon the moors again." , "It has struck me," said Nasmyth, with an air of sage reflection, "that we who live quietly in tho country are the pick of the lot. Sounds egotistical, doesn't it? .But if wo don't , do much —and I'm afraid I don't, anyway— don't do any harm."'

"I'm not euro that's a great deal to bo proud of," said Millicent, smiling. " I didn't include you," Nasmyth assured her. "There have been wholesome changes in the village since you grew up and made your influence felt, and that leads to a question does Clarence get on with his tenants and the cottage people? George understood them, but they're rather difficult to handle." ' He's away a good deal— afraid there has been some friction now and then!" Then the girl's manner changed.. 44 But that's beside the point. Aren't you wasting time?" " I'm almost afraid to begin. You may find the story trying." She turned towards him with the moonlight on her face, which was reassuringly quiet. 44 1 expect that, but in a way your fears are groundless. You needn't hesitate on my account.", Nasmyth Knew that she was right. Mil licefat was not one to flinch from pain. With an effort he began his story .at the portage over the divide, and, possessed by .vivid memories, he made her see the desolate region they had laboriously traversed. Because her imagination was powerful, she could picture,the brother she had loved toiling with desperate purpose and failing strength through .. muskeg • and morass. Then, when she had quietly insisted, he described Gladwyne's last camp. She sawthat, too; the hollow beneath the dark rock, with the straggling cedars on the ridge above. Next he outlined the journey down the first few rapids, saying little about the depots, and at last, with considerable relief, came to a stop. Millicent sat silent for several minutes, during which he did not look at her. * 4 Thank you," she said at length. "I have tried, and failed, to imagine it often, but it. is quite clear now. Clarence would never give me more than the barest detailsl think he hated to'speak of it." " In a way he was wise," said Nasmyth, who understood; the roan's reluctance. " Now, don't you think it would be better if you tried to drive the. thing out of your mind? It can't be altered—-there's a danger in dwelling too much upon one's grief." .. She smiled, though he fancied her eyes were dim with tears. 1 44 It can't be driven out—there were only- the , two of us; <'we had so much in common; there was such trust between us."

" Vastly more than I've noticed in other cases," Nasmyth remarked with a trace of irony, in an attempt to divert her thought's. "Well," she told him, "that may be true— I can't forget him." "Now I've told you,, I think I'll go," said Nasmyth, rising. "I expect you'd sooner bo alone."

"No," she said, and signed to him to ait down- . "I'd rather you stayed. Of course, there was only one thing George could do when lie was lamed-—to send the others on. But Clarence, who was with him, never made his fortitudo and cheerfulness so clear as you have done. You even mentioned the exact words he said now and then—how, did you hear of them?" , : 1 , .

'"From ray companion, a young Canadian. He bad the whole thing by heart got it from tho Hudson Bay agent. George's guide told the latter." "Did he also teach you how to tell the story?" Nasmyth smiled. He saw that she was desirous of changing the subject, and he was glad of it. "Anyway," he answered, "he made me see it at the time; pointed out the full significance of things—a broken branch, a scratch on a rock. A rather striking man in several ways, but you shall see him; he's coming over to stay with me by-and-by." He paused a, moment. " But I understood that Clarence has been having noma trouble."' "It hardly amounts to that. But things are not the same as they were"she -faltered as she added, "when George held control. -The tenants don't take to Clarence ; I think he was not well advised in increasing rents here and there. Indeed, that was a little puzzling, because he was once so liberal *

"In small matters; it's his own money now." Naemyth could not repress this show of bitterness. •

" Whoso money was it in his extravagant days?" A / "That's a question I've thought over and failed to find an answer to. I've no doubt he's now spending most of what he gets in town, though in my opinion as much as possible ought to go back to the locality in .which it was produced. Why don't you impress that on him?" Millicent, as he knew, could judiciously offer sound advice where it was needed. She was young,' but having been left an orphan early . she had long enjoyed her brother's close companionship and confidence, and the man's wide knowledge and thoughtfulness had had its effect in moulding her character. Still, in this case, she did not respond. "It would be better for his tenants and the neighbourhood generally if Clarence married; he can afford it now," Nasmyth went on.

Again tli© girl was silent, and he wondered if ho had thoughtlessly made a serious blunder. It had been supposed among their friends that she would marry Clarence some day, though, so far as'it was known, there was no definite understand-! ing between them, and for a while thq man's attitude had strengthened the idea., Indeed, when he had succeeded to George' 3 possessions, everyone. had expected an announcmont, which had not been made. What Millicent thought, or what'she had. lofikoti for all along, did not appear. "I-think you are right in one.thing," she said, very calmly, at length. "If ho would stay here, as George did and his. neighbours do, it would be better for everybody, including himself." Nasmyth made a sign of ' agreement., Their few intimate friends remained for the greater portion Of the year on their estates, understanding the needs of their tenants and dependents enjoying their good opinion, which was naturally increased by the fact that their by no means lavish expenses were chiefly incurred in, tho neighbourhood. There were others who, as the small farmer had causo to realise, returned as little as possible to t-hej soil, squandering revenues raked by tho, stubborn labour of others in doubtful pleasures elsewhere and, when they brought their friends home, on luxuries despatched, from town. These things made for bitterness. An unfortunate persistence in hi* hobby, however, drove Nasmyth into a (Second blunder. . ... .. " We're in accord on that point, ho said,* "It's a pitr the land passed out, of your hands. However, as there's nt» male euc, cession, in the event of Clarence s death, it, would come back to oU * -

She bore it very calmly, smiling a little. "You wouldn't have me speculate on Mich a thing V Then, as if to find a safer topic, she went on, with a thrill of anger in her tone: " I'll tell you of an incident I wit* 11 eased two or three days ago, which annoyed me seriously. I'd just met old Bell —you know how lame he isdriving some sheep along the road. It had been a wet, cold year, ho lost his hay, the oats are dreadfully poor, and hi* buildings are in, very bad repair " " Thoy were a disgrace to any estate when I last saw them," Nasmyth broke in. " Besides, the sour land by the beck should, have been drained long ago." «•' "So Bell has urged, but lie can't get Marple to spend a pennyl'm glad the man's new to this part of the country and doesn't belong to us. Well, just after J\ met Bell. Marple's big motor came along.; Ho had Batley with him and those Crestwicks who were down before. I think .you, met them f "

"I did," said Nasmyth. "In Canada they'd call them 1 a mighty tough crowd;, they're about the limit here." , "I tamed found after the car had passed," Millicent resumed. "Marple was. driving as fast as usual, and he made no attempt to pull up. Bell, who didnt heat; until it was nearly too late, tried to jump*, and fell into the 'ditch, most of the sheep were scattered across the moor, but two or three got right in front of the car and at. the last moment Marple had to stop. Onej of the women laughed; she had a very shrill voice and she explained that the old man looked so funny in the ditch. Marple) shouted to something about the damage to his tyresand I could see the others smiling at what he said. That was worse than the words he used. Then they went on, leaving the old man to gather up his eheep; ho hadn't a dog with him.( That kind of thing leaves its mark." "Distinctly so," Nasmyth agreed. " Still, Marple and his lot are exceptions. Wasn't Clarence rather thick with them?" "Yes," she said; " Fvg been rather disturbed about him." v • 1

wjoy iB 3D out. me limit nere. "I tamed round after the oar had passed," Millicent resumed. "Marple was. driving as fast as usual, and he made no attempt to pull up. Bell, who didnt heat; until it was nearly too late, tried to jump*, and fell into the 'ditch, most of the sheep ■were scattered across the moor, but two or three got right in front of the car and at. the last moment Marplo had to stop. Onej of the women laughed she .had a, very shrill voice and she explained that the old man looked so funny in the ditch. Marplft shouted to Bell—something about" the. damage to his tyresand I could see the others smiling at what he said. That was worse than the words he used. Then they went on, leaving the old man to gather up his eheep; ho hadn't a dog with him.( That kind of thing leaves its mark." " Distinctly so," Nasmyth agreed. " Still, Marple and his lot are exceptions. Wasn't Clarence rather thick with them?" "Yes," she said; "Tv&jbeen rather disturbed about him." , 1 Nasmyth did not know what to infer from this. Ho thought she would hardly have mad© such an admission had she con-< tern plated marrying tho man, and if not, it. was, in a general way, somewhat difficult to see why she should greatly concern herself about him. He, however, knew that, Millicent could not look on unmoved when her friends left the right path; he could think of two or three whom she had helped and gently checked l from further straying. This reflection was a relief to him, because he was determined' that she should noti marry Clarence if he * could prevent it. It necessary, ho would tell her the part the ,man had played in Canada, though ha shrank from doing so. "Marple and his acquaintances are not the peoplesone would. have expected Clarence to associate with," he said. "In my opinion, however, he's doing worse in male-, ing a friend ofi that fellow Batley. I could never understand the connection— man, strikes m© as an adventurer. > Has he» spent much time here since I've been away?" > "A good deal off and on," Millicentj answered. • "Now it's getting chilly and, I half expect a reproving lecture from Miss, Hump when Igo in. But first tell mo % little more about tho young Canadian you, had with you." "I don't know much,".said Nasmyth. "I met him by accident—he has an interest in some mines I believe, but he struck me as a remarkably fin© . type.. Clever at wood-craft, as handy with the axe and paddle as our professional guide,'but when we talked ■ about other things he &eemed to know a good deal more than X do-" He smiled as he added: "After all,, that's not astonishing, but what I liked most' was the earnestness of the fellow; he'd a downright way of grappling with, things, or explaining them to you. Sensible, but direct, not subtle!" "I've met men of that description, and I'm rather prejudiced in their favour," said Millicent, smiling. " But what was he like in person—slightly rugged?" " No; that's where you and others sometimes go wrong. There's nothing of the barbarian about these bushmen. Physically, they're as fine a type as we are— I might go farther—straight in the ; limb, clean-lined in every way, flat in tho, shoulder. Put them in our conventional dress, and : they'd make an impression in Mayfair." ' ' .. _ ■ , t . " So long as they didn't speak." "It wouldn't matter. Allowing for a few colloquialisms, they're worth listening to, which is more than I'd care to say for a number of the folks one meets in this country." Millicent laughed. "Well," sho said, I'll be glad to see him when he comes." Her voice grew graver- "I feel. grateful to him already for what he told you about George." They went in together, and half an hour later - Nasmyth; walked home , across the moor. He nad never thought more (highly of Millicent, but somehow he now felt sorry for her. It scarcely seemed fitting that she should live in that lonely spot with only the company of 'an elderly and staid companion, though he scarcely thought she would -bo happier "if she plunged into a round of purposeless amusements in the cities. Still, she was young and very attractive; ho felt she should have more than the thinly-peopled countryside had to offer. CHAPTER m 1 ON THE MOOES. Nearly a year had passed since Nasmyth's return when Lisle, who had spent the winter in the Arctic north, at length reached England. Soon after his arrival he was, as Nasmyth'e guest, invited ; to join a shooting party, and ono bright afternoon he stood behind a bank of sods high on a grouse moor overlooking the wastes of tho border. The heath - was stained with the bell-heather's regal purple, interspersed with the vivid red of the more delicate ling, and where the uplands sloped away broad blotches of the same rich colours chequered the white grass and belts of emerald moss that ran far back towards the faint Scottish bills. In the foreground a river gleamed athwart the picture, and overhead there stretched an arch of cloudless blue. There was no ■wind; the day was still and hot. • A young lad, whoso sunburned face already bore the stamp of self-indulgence, •waß stationed behind the butt with Lisle, and the latter was not favourably impressed with his appearance or conversation. "Look out," "he said by-and-by, "you were a little slow last time. They travel pretty fast." Lislo picked up his gun; he had occasionally used one in the west, though he was more accustomed to the rifle. Cutting clear again the dazzling sky, a straggling line of dark specks was moving towards him, and a series of sharp cracks broke out from the further wing of tho row of butts, which stretched across the moor. Lisle watched the birds, with fingers tightening on his gun; one cluster was coming his way, each flitting body growing in size and distinctness with marvellous rapidity. Then there was a flash beside him, and another flash as he pitched up his gun. Something struck the heather with a hud not far away, and swinging tho muzzle a little, he pulled again. He was not astonished to hear a second thud., and laying down his gun j he turned to his youthful companion, while 1 a thin cloud of acrid vapour hung about him. " Get anything?" he asked. "I didn't," was the half-sullen answer. "Couldn't expect it with the second barrel after you'd filed the place with smoke. Wonder why Gladwyne's man gave you the old black powder?" f Since nearly everybody else used smokeless this was a point which had aroused Lisle's curiosity, though it was not a matter of much importance. Nasmyth had provided him with cartridges, but they had somehow been left behind, and on applying to Gladwyne's keeper he had been supplied With ammunition which it seemed was out of date. n - „„„i, » "After all, you have don©well g^ t his companion resumed, we d better get on S our next station—it fi right across the moor on the high ridge yonder. Don t bother about tho birds. I " Certainly do you want to carr >' them was half-contemptuous ; he had already shown that ho considered the Canadian what he would have called, an outsider, but ho was willing to make lis© of him., 41 You. might look after Bella; she's alone in the next butt, and I've something els ato do t " he said. " There's an awk»

ward ghyll to cross, and she won't carry anything lighter than a 14-gun. See she doesn't leave the cartridges in it." He turned away across the heather, leaving Lisle, who turned towards the turf shelter indicated. As he approached it a girl appeared and glanced at him with very obvious curiosity, but as he supposed she was the sister of his late companion he had not expected any diffidence from her. She - was short in stature and slight of figure, and dressed in brown ; hat, coat, and remarkably short skirt all of the- same material. Her hair was of a coppery colour; her eyes, which were rather narrow, of a pale-greyish green. He would have called them hard, and there was a hint of arrogance in her expression. Yet sho was piquantly .pretty.

(To he continued on Wednesday next.)