"All day long the reapers."
A faint staccato drumming that rose from the silent prairie throbbed
through the final chords of it, and when the music ceased, swelled into
the gallop of a horse. It seemed in some curious fashion portentous,
and when there was a rattle and jingle outside other eyes than
Winston's were turned towards the door. It swung open presently and
Dane came in. There was quiet elation and some diffidence in his
bronzed face as he turned to Colonel Barrington.
"I could not get away earlier from the settlement, sir, but I have
great news," he said. "They have awoke to the fact that stocks are
getting low in the old country. Wheat moved up at Winnipeg, and there
was almost a rush to buy yesterday."
There was a sudden silence, for among those present were men who
remembered the acres of good soil they had not plowed, but a little
grim smile crept into their leader's face.
"It is," he said quietly, "too late for most of us. Still, we will not
grudge you your good fortune, Dane. You and a few of the others owe it
to Courthorne."
Every eye was on the speaker, for it had become known among his
neighbors that he had sold for a fall; but Barrington could lose
gracefully. Then both his niece and Dane looked at Winston with a
question in their eyes.
"Yes," he said very quietly, "it is the turning of the tide."
He crossed over to Barrington, who smiled at him dryly as he said, "It
is a trifle soon to admit that I was wrong.
Pages:
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213