out, although they were double our number. Pete had been absent for
two weeks before that, but his timely news put him back again in
Davidson's good books."

"I hope there will be no more trouble," and Jean gave a deep sigh.
"Everything has been so quiet this summer that I can hardly imagine
that there are mischief-makers around. Perhaps those guns which Major
Studholme sent up river have been a warning to the slashers. But my,
how late it is getting! Daddy will be anxious about me. You will come
and have tea with us, will you not?"

The young courier needed no second bidding, so in a few minutes the
canoe was speeding riverward, with Dane paddling and Jean facing him.
Peace surrounded them as they moved onward, but a deeper peace than
that which brooded over river and land dwelt in their happy young
hearts.




CHAPTER IX

LOVE'S-CHARM

Through the great network of branches of maples, birches, and other
trees the light of a new day sifted down upon a little lake about a
mile back from the settlement. Dane Norwood woke from a sound sleep
and looked out over the water. He was in no hurry to rise, as he felt
very comfortable lying there on his bed of fir boughs wrapped in his
warm blanket. About half way up the lake several wild ducks were