Hawtrey was clearly startled, but in a moment or two he smiled.
"Of course," he said, "she wouldn't. As a matter of fact, our engagement isn't broken off. It's merely extended."
They looked at each other in silence for a moment or two, and there was a curious hardness in Wyllard's eyes. Then Hawtrey spoke again.
"In view of what you have just told me why did you want to put me of all people in charge of the Range?" he said.
"I'll be candid," said Wyllard. "For one thing, you held on when I was slipping off the trestle that day in British Columbia. For another, you'll make nothing of your own holding, and if you run the Range as it ought to be run it will put a good many dollars into your pocket, besides relieving me of a big anxiety. If you're to marry Miss Ismay, I'd sooner she was made reasonably comfortable."
Hawtrey looked up with a flush in his face.
"Harry," he said, "this is extravagantly generous."
"Wait," said Wyllard; "there's a little more to be said. I can't be back before the frost, and I may be away eighteen months. While I am away you will have a clear field--and you must make the most of it. If you are not married when I come back I shall ask Miss Ismay again. Now"--and he glanced at his comrade steadily--"does this stand in the way of your going on with the arrangement we have arrived at?"
There was a rather tense silence for a moment or two, and then Hawtrey broke it.
"No," he said; "after all, there is no reason why it should do so. It has no practical bearing upon the other question."
Wyllard rose. "Well," he said, "if you will call Allen Hastings in we'll get this thing fixed up."
The document was duly signed, and a few minutes later Wyllard drove away; but Mrs. Hastings contrived to have a few words with Hawtrey before he did the same.
"I've no doubt that Harry took you into his confidence on a certain point," she said.
"Yes," admitted Hawtrey; "he did. I was a little astonished, besides feeling rather sorry for him. There is, however, reason to believe that he'll soon get over it."
"You feel sure of that?" and Mrs. Hastings smiled.
"Isn't it evident? If he had cared much about her he certainly wouldn't have gone away."
"No," said Hawtrey, "there's no doubt of that."