Robert Barr

“ There is a manly dignity about dinner-dress which nothing else can give—except, perhaps, a suit of armour, and that has its inconveniences at table.
When Miss Berrington entered the dining-room, and found her guest standing by the huge open log-fire, awaiting her, she stopped still for a moment in amazement, and then an expression of unqualified admiration came over her ever-changing face.
"Why—why——" she hesitated, as he came eagerly forward with a smile to meet her, "is this really Mr. Steele?"
"It is Fletcher's Mr. Steele, madam. ”

“ Nicholson is one of the combination in New York from which I draw my money. In spite of what you say, you are too much of a coward to face Nicholson; therefore you have endeavoured to kidnap me and terrorise me into giving you a cheque for ten million dollars. How near am I right?"
"You are exactly right, madam."
"Very well. Although I am no admirer of Mr. Nicholson, nevertheless it is easy to see why he defeated you. A man who takes so long to reach the kernel of his business may be all very well in Chicago, but he has no right to pit himself against a citizen of New York. ”

“ The dejected, crestfallen man came slowly to the front, while she advanced a few rapid steps towards him, gave him some instructions in an undertone, and the search-party left under his leadership for the house, Steele and the girl following them at their leisure.
"How true it is that fine feathers make fine birds!" said Jack. "I never should have recognised Fletcher, whom I once took to be the finest specimen of our race."
"It's a poor rule that doesn't work both ways," laughed the girl. "Did you notice that Fletcher failed to recognise you?"
"Oh, I will go back and get that other suit!" ”

“ Steele."
"You have forgotten the cliff, madam. I shall lead your horse to the edge of the cliff, strike him with your whip, and send him over. He will be dashed to death on the ledge six hundred feet below. The Indian or the dog will trace the horse to this cliff. It will be naturally supposed that you have been flung into the waters of the lake, which are another six hundred feet deep. Then the search will end, madam. Lake Superior never gives up its dead, and to dredge at that depth is impossible." ”

“ John Steele, of Chicago, what is the next move?"
"Well, logically," said John Steele, unable to repress a smile, grave as was his situation and quick his recognition of its seriousness, "logically the next move should be for me to throw you over the cliff."
"No, that wouldn't be logical. It seems, to the poor reason that a woman possesses, Mr. Nicholson is the man who should be thrown over."
"I am rather inclined to agree with you, Miss Berrington; but, alas! Nicholson is in New York, and you are the only member of the company now in my power." ”

“ The girl rose to her feet, put up both hands to her hair, and arranged the black tresses that had gone astray.
"How long have you possessed your log-cabin, Mr. Steele?"
"About two months. One month I have spent around your house watching for you; but you have always left on a gallop, or else that confounded groom of yours was following you, and I didn't want to hurt him. In truth. I didn't wish to hurt anybody."
"Poor man! have you been lingering in the forest all that time? No wonder you look like an escaped convict."
"Do I?" asked Jack in alarm, glancing down at his ragged garments. ”

“ She did not in the least resent his boisterous action, but she shook her head and said—
"I shall never marry a man who is not in love with me, and I am too insignificant a woman for any man to love me for myself." ”

“ He went there a few days ago in his yacht, and sent the vessel back, in case I should wish a sail on the lake. Shall I arrange a meeting between you?"
"I suppose you will not credit me, Miss Berrington, when I tell you that I do not wish to meet Mr. Nicholson, and it is not cowardice which keeps me from the encounter. If I met him, I should kill him; then the law would hang me, and I have no desire to be executed."
"Oh, you are quite safe in Michigan," said the girl encouragingly; "there is no capital punishment in this State." ”

“ The man did his best, but the animal was restive from its long wait, and with a snarl of impatience at what she called the stupidity of the groom, the girl sprang with great dexterity into her saddle, gathered the reins in her left hand, and struck the animal a savage blow on the flank with her whip. ”

“ White fish from the icy waters of Lake Superior is unequalled by anything that swims, unless it be the brook-trout which the northern streams that enter Lake Superior produce. Wild turkey of the Michigan woods is world-renowned as the choicest of game. ”

“ They were walking homeward through the forest, but at this remark John stopped and said ruefully: "Look here, Miss Berrington, if you are merely taking me with you to show Fletcher how badly a man may be costumed, I shall at once return to my cabin, for I have another suit there. ”

“ Steele, that your methods of teaching me politeness to a new-comer were somewhat rough. So, if you will excuse me, I shall not go with you to your log-cabin this evening. It is getting late; see how low the sun has sunk, and how gloriously he lights up the lake."
"Yes," said John somewhat dolefully, "it reminds me of the copper situation here."
"It is copper that brings Mr. Nicholson to this district," she replied brightly, "although I suppose I should not tell that to an opposing speculator."
"Oh, hang Nicholson!" said Jack hastily; then: "Really, I beg your pardon, madam. ”

“ Her Ladyship—I mean, Miss Berrington—being as she was thrown from her horse, sir, and you 'andy to 'elp 'er, you got the right kind of introduction, after all, sir."
"Ah, Fletcher, it seems like it, doesn't it?"
A great deal of nonsense has been written about the inartistic qualities of the modern dress-suit. The truth is that no other costume so befits a stalwart good-looking young man. ”