“You’re not very bright, Ted. Alison’s clothes are new. Why did you think I reckoned she was at the smoky forge?”
“Search me!” said Harries. “You did think she was there. I don’t know much about women’s clothes, but you’ve got some grease on yours.”
“Men are like that!” Florence remarked scornfully. “However, Bob’s waiting, and I expect the engineer’s getting mad.”
They started for the front of the train and Harries gave Kit a smile. Kit knew Florence’s habit was to dispute with her lover, but he was annoyed, for he had wanted to see Alison. When they reached the locomotive, the engineer looked out from the cab.
“Two of your party short-shipped? Well, maybe they’ll make it on the gravel train. If the pile’s not frozen she ought to come along by and by. I reckon she’ll go back before us, but the gang will be on board and you better wait. If I see your flag I’ll pick you up. So long!”
He shut the window and the cars rolled ahead. Kit and Austin studied the skeleton tank, and then the party went to his shack. Not long afterwards the gravel train steamed by.
Kit’s disappointment was keen. Alison had not arrived and all was flat. Sometimes Florence bantered him and he played up. Austin talked and Harries was naively humorous, but Kit could not banish his moodiness. Alison was going to England and he might not see her before she went.
CHAPTER XXIX
THE STORM
After a time Kit heard a locomotive whistle and he went to the door. The wind was very cold and the sky was dark. Thick smoke blew about the wood; the gravel train was stopping for some damaged material Kit wanted to send back.
“If Miss Grey and you don’t mind, Bob, I’ll go to the bridge,” he said. “Mrs. Austin may find waiting dull and I want to see Alison, but I’d like you to stay. For one thing, the cook has planned a supper he declares they couldn’t beat at a Winnipeg hotel.”