Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-02-20

HER FEELINGS TOWARD THE WRITER
sorTEyED WONDERFULLY.
IRENE end of the Neck, where he sat in
the sand and contemplated the ruined
timbers of the Phoebe. Nathaniel rose
and advanced to meet his visitor, con-
scious of her grace and beauty, and his
awkwardness and freclled LONELINESS,
conscious Of the fact that they we're
adversaries at law, conscious of every
thing except that she was looking at
him with very kindly interest.
"Mr. Quimby, got your letter, and
couldn't do anything else till had
come down to thank you"
NOW, don't say anything about that.
You're more than welcome, Ma'aiu,
I'm sure" he interrupted. "Of course
know how you must feel about it, and
it's proper" AS he spoke he led the
way to the wreck. Passing under
the stern OF the vessel, Miss Martling
looked up at the name, not quite as
bright as when painted, but still clear
ly legible, on the stern. THAT looks
very natural" she said. Poor ia
Their; nothing would suit him but 20
have that name, though didn't want
him to-"
"It's very pretty name, I'm sure"
responded her companion, rather from
desire to say something agreeable
than from any deep conviction.
"Do you think SOP" she tarncd to-
ward him with a smile. 'I'm afraid YOU
Just say that to be fattering, MIR.
Quimby."
"Why, no, ma'am," answered honest
Quimby. 81 am not good judge of
names--women's names, l mean, but
! thought that name had a sort of
pleasant sound, rs il it was the name
OF somebody that the captain cared
considerably about"
81 thought you knew" she repeated
Though why she thought so was a
mystery, shat is my name"
Quimby's heart inside of him gave
decided jump, and to the very center OF
it he rejoiced that he had praised the
name. Molly-Molly B-Molly i.
Martlng-suddenly it occurred to
him that he had been an unobservant
fool not to have discovered long ago
that it was not only very pretty, but
an entirely fascinating name. "Molly
b., Of Bangor" he read again, in q
voice that unconsciously tried to pro-
nounce the words so as to bring out
all their latent music, and the effort
must have been partly successful, for
the real Molly Mt his side blushed, and
then Quimby blushed between all his
frcclllcs, and thought that she must
think him very rude and familiar
fellow.
Silence between them now till they
reached The cabin hatch. Quimby
stopped there and pointed down. II
guess you'll find everything below
bout as we found it. I'm afraid you'll
hc disappointed some, for the things
were ratified around good deal. I
don't think you can make much out OF
the papers, but / had 'em out in the
sun to kind of dry them. You don't
want that | should go down with you,
/ Judge, but if you need anything or
want to know about anything just call
out and III be around here some
where"
With look of gratitude for this deli
cate courtesy, Miss Martling went below
and Quimby took up his station on the
sunny sand beside the hull. But there
was no call for him and an hour went
by, during which the young woman
was having quiet cry over the wreck
of those simple things which had onca
been her fathers, and Nathaniel was
having somewhat stormy session
with his own conscience. He had told
his guest that everything in the cabin
was about as they found it, but there
had been a mental reservation, for the
portrait that was even now reposing in
his inner coat pocket. He had sorrow
fully resolved to make a clean breast of
it when Miss MartGng came out lit
tie red about the eyes, and, after few
additional words of thanks, started
villageward. He had not found an OPP
portunity to tell her.
She came again--to look at some pa
pers, she said, and yet again, upon an
equally important errand. Each time
the litigants became better acquainted
and a mutual esteem and liking devel-
oped. (which in no way checked the prog
ress Of the suit which Miss Marling
had brought "for the principle of the
thing"
In all their conversations there was q
tacit understanding that this subject
should not be discussed. There was
something entirely impersonal about
the litigation. 1t was simply a ques-
ton of rights which was to be decided. I
At last the day of the trial arrived,
when the momentous question of the
ownership of the schooner should be
settled by the court. Popular interest
in the matter did not extend to Middle
town, the county seat, but most OF the
inhabitants of Taggert's Station, es-
pecially those who had lent hand at
moving the hull, felt personal con-
Germ in the decision.
Quimby came, attended by Moses,
concluded on 18th page)