But he merely glanced at his unconscious host, and said nothing.

After a pause he returned in a lighter tone: "I suppose you are rather out of the world here.

Indeed, I had an idea at first of buying out your mill, Collinson, and putting in steam power to get out timber for our new buildings, but you see you are so far away from the wagon-road, that we couldn't haul the timber away.

That was the trouble, or I'd have made you a fair offer." "I don't reckon to ever sell the mill," said Collinson simply.

Then observing the look of suspicion in his companion's face, he added gravely, "You see, I rigged up the whole thing when I expected my wife out from the States, and I calkilate to keep it in memory of her." Key slightly lifted his brows.