“And I,” said Ranald, calmly, “have every confidence that work on the line will be started this fall.” And then he went on to speak of the future that he saw stretching out before the province and the whole Dominion. The feeling of opposition in the air roused him like a call to battle, and the thought that he was pleading for the West that he had grown to love, stimulated him like a draught of strong wine. In the midst of his speech the secretary, who till that moment had not been present, came into the room with the evening paper in his hand. He gave it to the president, pointing out a paragraph. At once the president, interrupting Ranald in his speech, rose and said, “Gentlemen, there is an item of news here that I think you will all agree bears somewhat directly upon this business.” He then read Sir John A. MacDonald's famous telegram to the British Columbia government, promising that the Canadian Pacific Railway should be begun that fall. After the cheers had died away, Ranald rose again, and said, “Mr. President and gentlemen, there is no need that I should say anything more. I simply wish to add that I return to British Columbia next week, but whether as manager for this company or not that is a matter of perfect indifference to me.” And saying this, he left the room, followed by Colonel Thorp. “You're all right, pardner,” said the colonel, shaking him vigorously by the hand, “and if they don't feel like playing up to your lead, then, by the great and everlasting Sammy, we will make a new deal and play it alone!” “All right, Colonel,” said Ranald; “I almost think I'd rather play it without them and you can tell them so.” “Where are you going now?” said the colonel. “I've got to go to Toronto for a day,” said Ranald; “the boys are foolish enough to get up a kind of dinner at the Albert, and besides,” he added, resolutely, “I want to see Kate.” “Right you are,” said the colonel; “anything else would be meaner than snakes.” But when Ranald reached Toronto, he found disappointment awaiting him. The Alberts were ready to give him an enthusiastic reception, but to his dismay both Harry and Kate were absent. Harry was in Quebec and Kate was with her mother visiting friends at the Northern Lake, so Ranald was forced to content himself with a letter of farewell and congratulation upon her approaching marriage. In spite of his disappointment, Ranald could not help acknowledging a feeling of relief. It would have been no small ordeal to him to have met Kate, to have told her how she had helped him during his three years' absence, without letting her suspect how much she had become to him, and how sore was his disappointment that she could never be more than friend to him, and indeed, not even that. But his letter was full of warm, frank, brotherly congratulation and good will.