`` What was it ? '' Mrs. Hill began to sob . `` Do n't look at me like that , Violet ! He just dropped in and we were talking about you -- at least I was -- and I had heard that Harry St. Maur was paying you marked attention before you came west -- and -- and that some people thought you were engaged -- and so -- and so -- '' `` You told Mr. Spencer that I was engaged to Harry St. Maur ? '' `` No-o-o -- I just hinted . I did n't mean an-any harm . I never dreamed you 'd really c-care . I thought you were just amusing yourself -- and so did everybody -- and I wanted Ned Madison -- '' Violet had turned very pale . `` I love him , '' she said hoarsely , `` and you 've sent him away . He 's gone to Rainy River . I shall never see him again ! '' `` Oh , yes , you will , '' gasped Mrs. Hill faintly . `` He 'll come back when he knows -- you c-can write and tell him -- '' `` Do you suppose I am going to write and ask him to come back ? '' said Violet wildly . `` I 've enough pride left yet to keep me from doing that for a man at whose head I 've thrown myself openly -- yes , openly , and who has never , in words at least , told me he cared anything about me . I will never forgive you , Edith ! '' Then Mrs. Hill found herself alone with her lacerated feelings . After soothing them with a good cry , she set to work thinking seriously . There was no doubt she had muddled things badly , but there was no use leaving them in a muddle when a word or two fitly spoken might set them straight . Mrs. Hill sat down and wrote a very diplomatic letter before she went to bed , and the next morning she waylaid Sergeant Fox and asked him if he would ride down to Rainy River with a very important message for Mr. Spencer .
Sergeant Fox wondered what it could be , but it was not his to reason why ; it was his only to mount and ride XXXXX all due speed , for Mrs. Hill 's whims and wishes were as stringent and binding as the rules of the force .
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