Then his work would be over, but he had of late felt a growing fear lest something, that would prevent its accomplishment, might happen in the meanwhile.

Then almost fiercely he resumed the stripping of the machine.
An hour or two later Dane rode up, and sat still in his saddle looking down on Winston with a curious smile on his face.
"I was down at the settlement, and found a curious story going round," he said.

"Of course, it had its humorous aspect, but I don't know that the thing was quite discreet.

You see, Barrington has once or twice had to put a stern check on the indulgence in playfulness of that kind by some of the younger men, and you are becoming an influence at Silverdale." "You naturally believed what you heard.

It was in keeping with what you have seen of me ?" Dane's eyes twinkled.