“Well, I don't know exactly, but those fellows in British Columbia are making all sorts of threats that unless this railway is built forthwith they will back out of the Dominion, and some of them talk of annexation with the United States. Don't I wish I was there! What a lucky fellow Ranald is. Thorp says he's a big gun already. No end of a swell. Of course, as manager of a big concern like the British-American Coal and Lumber Company, he is a man of some importance.” “I don't think he is taking much to do with public questions,” said Kate, “though he did make a speech at New Westminster not long ago. He has been up in those terrible woods almost ever since he went.” “Hello, how do you know?” said Harry, looking at her suspiciously; “I get a fragment of a note from Ranald now and then, but he is altogether too busy to remember humble people.” “I hear regularly from Coley. You remember Coley, don't you?” said Kate, turning to Mrs. Murray. “Oh, yes, that's the lad in whom Ranald was so interested in the Institute.” “Yes,” replied Kate; “Coley begged and prayed to go with Ranald, and so he went.” “She omits to state,” said Harry, “that she also 'begged and prayed' and further that she outfitted the young rascal, though I've reason to thank Providence for removing him to another sphere.” “How does it affect you?” said Mrs. Murray. “Why, haven't you heard, Aunt Murray, of the tremendous heights to which I have attained? I suppose she didn't tell you of her dinner party. That was after you had left last fall. It was a great bit of generalship. Some of Ranald's foot-ball friends, Little Merrill, Starry Hamilton, that's the captain, you know, and myself among them, were asked to a farewell supper by this young lady, and when the men had well drunk--fed, I mean--and were properly dissolved in tears over the prospect of Ranald's departure, at a critical moment the Institute was introduced as a side issue. It was dear to Ranald's heart. A most effective picture was drawn of the Institute deserted and falling into ruins, so to speak, with Kate heroically struggling to prevent utter collapse. Could this be allowed? No! a thousand times no! Some one would be found surely! Who would it be! At this juncture Kate, who had been maintaining a powerful silence, smiled upon Little Merrill, who being distinctly inflammable, and for some mysterious reason devoted to Ranald, and for an even more mysterious reason devoted to Kate, swore he'd follow if some one would lead. What could I do? My well-known abilities naturally singled me out for leadership, so to prevent any such calamity, I immediately proposed that if Starry Hamilton, the great foot-ball chief, would command this enterprise I would follow. Before the evening was over the Institute was thoroughly manned.” “It is nearly half true, aunt,” said Kate. “And by our united efforts,” continued Harry, “the Institute has survived the loss of Ranald.”