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bloodthirsty adventure。
His first days were spent in making right； or as nearly right as he
could； the break that drove him to the west。 His old firm （and I
have had more respect for the humanity of lawyers ever since）
behaved really well。 They proved the restoration of their
confidence in his integrity and ability by offering him a place in
the firm； which； however； he would not accept。 Then； when he felt
clean； as he said； he posted off home； taking me with him。 During
the railway journey of four hours he hardly spoke； but when we had
left the town behind； and had fairly got upon the country road that
led toward the home ten miles away； his speech came to him in a
great flow。 His spirits ran over。 He was like a boy returning
from his first college term。 His very face wore the boy's open；
innocent； earnest look that used to attract men to him in his first
college year。 His delight in the fields and woods； in the sweet
country air and the sunlight； was without bound。 How often had we
driven this road together in the old days！
Every turn was familiar。 The swamp where the tamaracks stood
straight and slim out of their beds of moss； the brule； as we used
to call it； where the pine…stumps； huge and blackened； were half…
hidden by the new growth of poplars and soft maples； the big hill；
where we used to get out and walk when the roads were bad； the
orchards； where the harvest apples were best and most accessible
all had their memories。
It was one of those perfect afternoons that so often come in the
early Canadian summer； before Nature grows weary with the heat。
The white gravel road was trimmed on either side with turf of
living green； close cropped by the sheep that wandered in flocks
along its whole length。 Beyond the picturesque snake…fences
stretched the fields of springing grain； of varying shades of
green； with here and there a dark brown patch； marking a turnip
field or summer fallow； and far back were the woods of maple and
beech and elm； with here and there the tufted top of a mighty pine；
the lonely representative of a vanished race； standing clear above
the humbler trees。
As we drove through the big swamp； where the yawning； haunted gully
plunges down to its gloomy depths； Graeme reminded me of that night
when our horse saw something in that same gully； and refused to go
past； and I felt again； though it was broad daylight； something of
the grue that shivered down my back； as I saw in the moonlight the
gleam of a white thing far through the pine trunks。
As we came nearer home the houses became familiar。 Every house had
its tale： we had eaten or slept in most of them； we had sampled
apples； and cherries； and plums from their orchards； openly as
guests； or secretly as marauders； under cover of nightthe more
delightful way； I fear。 Ah！ happy days； with these innocent crimes
and fleeting remorses； how bravely we faced them； and how gaily we
lived them； and how yearningly we look back at them now！ The sun
was just dipping into the tree…tops of the distant woods behind as
we came to the top of the last hill that overlooked the valley； in
which lay the village of Riverdale。 Wooded hills stood about it on
three sides； and； where the hills faded out； there lay the mill…
pond sleeping and smiling in the sun。 Through the village ran the
white road； up past the old frame church； and on to the white manse
standing among the trees。 That was Graeme's home； and mine too；
for I had never known another worthy of the name。 We held up our
team to look down over the valley； with its rampart of wooded
hills； its shining pond； and its nestling village； and on past to
the church and the white manse； hiding among the trees。 The
beauty； the peace； the warm； loving homeliness of the scene came
about our hearts； but； being men； we could find no words。
'Let's go；' cried Graeme； and down the hill we tore and rocked and
swayed to the amazement of the steady team； whose education from
the earliest years had impressed upon their minds the criminality
of attempting to do anything but walk carefully down a hill； at
least for two…thirds of the way。 Through the village； in a cloud
of dust； we swept； catching a glimpse of a well…known face here and
there； and flinging a salutation as we passed； leaving the owner of
the face rooted to his place in astonishment at the sight of Graeme
whirling on in his old…time； well…known reckless manner。 Only old
Dunc。 M'Leod was equal to the moment； for as Graeme called out；
'Hello； Dunc。！' the old man lifted up his hands； and called back in
an awed voice： 'Bless my soul！ is it yourself？'
'Stands his whisky well； poor old chap！' was Graeme's comment。
As we neared the church he pulled up his team； and we went quietly
past the sleepers there； then again on the full run down the gentle
slope； over the little brook； and up to the gate。 He had hardly
got his team pulled up before； flinging me the lines； he was out
over the wheel； for coming down the walk； with her hands lifted
high； was a dainty little lady； with the face of an angel。 In a
moment Graeme had her in his arms。 I heard the faint cry； 'My boy；
my boy；' and got down on the other side to attend to my off horse；
surprised to find my hands trembling and my eyes full of tears。
Back upon the steps stood an old gentleman； with white hair and
flowing beard； handsome； straight； and statelyGraeme's father；
waiting his turn。
'Welcome home； my lad；' was his greeting； as he kissed his son； and
the tremor of his voice； and the sight of the two men kissing each
other； like women； sent me again to my horses' heads。
'There's Connor； mother！' shouted out Graeme； and the dainty little
lady； in her black silk and white lace； came out to me quickly；
with outstretched hands。
'You； too； are welcome home；' she said； and kissed me。
I stood with my hat off； saying something about being glad to come；
but wishing that I could get away before I should make quite a fool
of myself。 For as I looked down upon that beautiful face； pale；
except for a faint flush upon each faded cheek； and read the story
of pain endured and conquered； and as I thought of all the long
years of waiting and of vain hoping； I found my throat dry and
sore； and the words would not come。 But her quick sense needed no
words； and she came to my help。
'You will find Jack at the stable；' she said； smiling； 'he ought to
have been here。'
The stable！ Why had I not thought of that before？ Thankfully now
my words came
'Yes； certainly； I'll find him； Mrs。 Graeme。 I suppose he's as
much of a scapegrace as ever； and off I went to look up Graeme's
young brother； who had given every promise in the old days of
developing into as stirring a rascal as one could desire； but who；
as I found out later； had not lived these years in his mother's
home for nothing。
'Oh； Jack's a good boy；' she answered； smiling again； as she turned
toward the other two； now waiting for her upon the walk。
The week that followed was a happy one for us all； but for the
mother it was full to the brim with joy。 Her sweet face was full
of content； and in her eyes rested a great peace。 Our days were