"
Barrington winced a little, for he recognized the irony in the failing
voice, but he rose and moved towards the bed.
"Lance," he said, a trifle hoarsely, "it is not that which makes what
has happened horrible to me, and I am only glad that you have righted
this man. Your father had many claims on me, and things might have
gone differently if, when you came out to Canada, I had done my duty by
his son."
Courthorne smiled a little, but without bitterness. "It would have
made no difference, sir, and, after all, I led the life that suited me.
By and by you will be grateful to me. I sent you a man who will bring
prosperity to Silverdale."
Then he turned to Stimson, and his voice sank almost beyond hearing as
he said, "Sergeant, remember, Winston fancied I was dead."
He moved his head a trifle, and the doctor stooping over him signed to
the rest, who went out except Barrington.
It was some hours later, and very cold, when Barrington came softly
into the room where Dane lay half-asleep in a big chair. The latter
glanced at him with a question in his eyes, and the Colonel nodded very
gravely.
"Yes," he said. "He has slipped out of the troopers' hands and beyond
our reproaches--but I think the last thing he did will count for a
little."
CHAPTER XXVI
WINSTON RIDES AWAY
The first of the snow was driving across the prairie before a bitter
wind, when Maud Barrington stood by a window of the Grange looking out
into the night.
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