Jasper, however, did not stay away.  He came as often as before, even after Margaret arrived.  He now believed that Lois cared for him and looked forward with pleasure to his visits.  Never before had the Sundays seemed so far apart.  She was his inspiration in all that he did and she was ever in his mind throughout the week.  How delightful it was to listen to her playing upon the piano, and then when she and Margaret sang, as they did so well together, it seemed to him as if heaven had opened and poured upon him its greatest joys.  His past trials were all forgotten, and he did not worry about the future.

One balmy spring Sunday evening they were all gathered around the piano as usual singing several of their favourite hymns.  Lois was playing, and the soft light from the shaded lamp fell upon her face.  Jasper standing near thought he had never seen her look so beautiful.  It seemed to him that her face was almost radiant and her eyes glowed with an intense light of holy fervour.  Everything in that room spoke of peace and harmony.  The singers were happy in one another’s company, and no worry troubled them.

As they sang, the shades of night deepened over the land and brighter the light seemed to shine through the large window facing westward.  A man standing just outside watched all that was going on within the room.  He had approached cautiously and now stood back far enough from the window that he might not be observed should any one happen to look in his direction.  To all outward appearance he might have been drawn there out of mere curiosity or by the sound of the music.  His lean, smooth-shaven face betrayed nothing, and his steel-grey eyes which rested alternately upon Jasper and the fair young player were expressionless.  Well it was for Lois’ peace of mind that she did not see that face out there in the night, for it was the same face which had been haunting her for months.

CHAPTER XX

BUSINESS DETAILS

As spring drew near David became anxious for more definite news about the work at the falls.  He knew what Jasper and his men were doing and how the portable mill was busy sawing the logs which had been hauled out.  But he was impatient to see what he called “the real beginning.”  It was, therefore, with considerable satisfaction when at last the great start was made.  As the weeks passed word reached him of what was going on.  He had not yet visited the falls as he did not feel equal to the walk.  But he listened eagerly to all that was told him.  The reports were truly marvellous of the large number of men engaged upon the “Plant,” of the activity at Creekdale and all up the brook.  In a few weeks the whole place had been converted into a hive of bustling industry.  It seemed as if a magic wand had been suddenly waved over the place to produce such an astonishing change.