COLONEL HOWELL DISCOVERS AN OLD FRIEND IN JACK ZEPT
Although it was well after seven o’clock, it was wholly light, for in Calgary in July dusk does not come until after ten o’clock. While Norman looked at his watch to confirm the delay, Colonel Howell remarked:
“It seems good to get back to long hours again. When we get up to Fort McMurray,” and he chuckled, “you boys can read your newspapers, if you can find any, out of doors after eleven o’clock.”
“Fort McMurray?” broke in young Zept. “Where’s that?”
“Way up in the wilderness,” responded Norman, laughing. “Looks as if we’re going to beat you into the northland.”
Instantly the young Count caught Norman by the arm and stopped him.
“What are you talking about?” he demanded, his face a study in acute interest and surprise.
“Tell you later,” answered Norman. “Your father’s waiting.”
Far from satisfied, the exuberant young Austrian followed the others to Mr. Zept’s waiting car. He was not in error as to his father’s annoyance. The old ranchman, a heavy cigar buried in the corner of his mouth, watched the approach of the party with a scowl. The moment he saw Colonel Howell, however, this expression politely changed. The ranchman did not at once recognize his old shooting friend but without waiting for an introduction he sprang with agility from his handsome motor.
It required but a word, however, for him to place the stranger and then the delay was forgotten. The joviality of the veteran horse raiser took the place of his petulance and, ignoring the young men, the old friends stood arm in arm for ten minutes recounting the past. The result was inevitable. After Colonel Howell had been catechised as to his present location and plans, he could not refuse an invitation to pass the remainder of his short stay in Calgary at the Zept home.