Within him there was that
which thanked its Maker unashamed that he had kept himself from one or
two temptations which had beset him in these stirring years of service
on the fringes of the great country spreading from the bay.
With that thought he went forward, and Maren did not hear his step on
the soft grass, so far was she on her well-worn trail of dreams, until
he stood near and the feeling of a presence finally brought back the
wandering soul.
Then she opened her eyes and they fell full upon the factor, his light
head bared to the dancing sun-spots, his blue eyes sober and touched
again with that anxiety which had compelled her to take his gift.
There was no sudden start of fear, no little startled breath, for this
woman was calm as the dreaming woods and as serene.
"Bon jour, M'sieu," she said, and at sound of her voice, so deep and
full of those sliding minors, McElroy felt her power sweep over him in
a tumultuous flood.
"Ma'amselle," he said, "Ma'amselle!"
And in the next moment stopped, for the words of love were on his
tongue and the wide dark eyes were looking at him wonderingly.
"No longer could I withstand the call of the springtime and the woods,"
he finished falteringly; "the trading-room and the bargain were grown
hateful to me in these warm days with the scent of flower and leaf and
heated mould coming in at the door and bidding me come.
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