When it was all over, Clark went back to his hotel, and wrote a short letter to a woman saying that he had interesting business on hand and hoped to see her soon. The letter was to his mother.
IV.—PRELIMINARIES IN ST. MARYS
Snow was on the ground and the river crisping with tinkling sheets of spreading ice when Clark again reached St. Marys and with characteristic energy laid his first plans. These were to supply the town with water and light, and the fact that the well remembered public promise was thus to be redeemed reassured the citizens as nothing else could have done. It was true that heavy work was impossible before spring, but Belding, on instructions, deposited with the town council an imposing set of blue prints which showed water pipes and electric circuits radiating through every part of the town.
It was a week or so later that one day in the office Belding looked up as though he had been called and caught his chief's penetrating gaze.
"Are you engaged, Belding; I mean to be married?" There was a twinkle in the gray eyes.
"No, sir."
"Want to be?"
"No, sir."
"Anything to think of except the work?"
Belding shook his head. He had already learned never to show surprise.