The Banner-Democrat., 1899-09-02
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CHAPTER Nv.


The weeks passed, and Brian was still
fixture in the quiet little fishing town.
The claims Of his aunt In Nantucket
were entirely forgotten, letter written
soon after his coming to S'conset having
satisfied his sense of obligation.
Evidently S'conset had developed new
charms for him since the day he had
found its dullness SO oppressive that
possible occupation.
And Margaret, having awakened him
to new view of the place, was prac-
tically realizing that constant hanging
on she had once reprobated so strongly.
She did not encourage him, neither did
she repulse him. She did not seek his
company, nor did she show by the
slightest action that 1t was distasteful
to her.
Her attitude was one OF uncertain ex.
pectancy.
She spent many hours with him on
the beach. She walked with him in the
delightful spring weather, gathering
health and spirits from the glad sun and
invigorating air.
She had taken him through many OF
the cottages, and her enthusiasm had
awakened his dormant interest. She
had shown him the way to the light
house, and together they had climbed
the great winding stairway, gazed i'm
pressively upon the wonderful lamp, and
looked down from the great height upon
the undulating moors, lying like o
checkered map before them; upon the
hills fading In the mist Of distance, and
the glorious breath Of restless waters
surging over the rips and dashing them
selves In fury at the feet Of the bluff.
She had pointed out the silvery waters
Cf Sesachaca. set like jewel In the
moorland's breast, and only separated
from the ocean by narrow belt OF sand
hills. And afterward they had climbed
to the top of Tom Nevers, verdant
bluff standing boldly out against The
western sky, and sloping to the waters
roaring at its feet.
On this bold promontory they had
watched the sun quench his fires in the
sea and trail his trembling lights across
the hills. And through the lingering
beauty OF the after-glow they had gone
home along the lonely and deserted
shore.
The hours Of such companionship
could not be forgotten.
Too late Brian realized this. In all
the time they had been together he had
tried In vain to fathom Margaret's feel
ings for him, but his boasted skill as q
physiognomist had failed in her case.
Her strength Of character, courageous
spirit, and ever ready sympathy made
her a charming and refreshing contrast
to the conventional women he had hith-
erto met, but they did not constitute the
sole reason for his pleasure In her COM
pany.
II never felt so bad about leaving q
place before" he said to her one day.
"I believe / could stay here q year un-
der present circumstances.
Il could stay here forever" was her
earnest and impulsive reply.
But at last the day came when she
felt she must leave. She had written to
tell Miss Hilton OF her intention, and
with the feeling that she must make the
most of her last hours, she had gone
down to the beach, where the fishermen
were just bringing in the days harvest
She was standing by the dories, watching
the huge fish with sort of fascinated
gaze, when Brian joined her in his usual
unceremonious fashion.
eft seems to be an age since saw you
last" he declared, utterly ignoring the
fact that he had been with her the day
before. "Shall we walk down the beach,
The air Is glorious"
She nodded in the affirmative, and
they moved away together.
why don't you say something?" hi
asked, after the silence had lasted some
minutes.
II don't feel in talking humor," she
answered, conscious Of a disagreeablt
desire to quarrel with some person o.
thing.
Il think you might try / have tn,
blues frightfully. l wish you'd cheel
me-
TRY one of your own prescriptions.
she suggested. "The blues are physi
cal condition, they tell US. You'll have
an opportunity to vindicate the diploma
you've lugged around so long. jus
see those boats coming in on the break
ers. Aren't they graceful2 l wish
were fisherman.
What an idea. How could you man
age to live here?"
How Why, as they do, OF course
with the sight Of the sea ever befor'
me: the music OF the breakers Away
in nv ears; In close and constant com
munion with the very sublimity OF ma
lure. How can their lives be eithe
hopeless or uninteresting? Though, t.
n person Of your energetic tempera
ment, dare say. they would be tire
some.
Il have a notion you intend that 70
sarcasm, he returned, good-naturedly
@How am / to take your"
"No way, please; lam not to be take
just now.
There, you snap me up. You hav
been an enigma all through. Some
times you are all sweetness. and at 9th
ers YOU fly at me and lecture me mos
numerically. Still ! like TO be wit
much obliged, I'm'sure; but d'dn
come here to amuse you.
Evidently in bad humor, tnousn
Brian. noting the sharp tone.
II believe you've missed your voca
tion he said aloud. You were intende
for one of the Yankee school ma ans "
read about. How you would have ieci
ured the unfortunate little chaps. An
your husband, poor man
aPray spare your pity. Such indeinit
objects don't need It, There are 70
many real living ones upon whom
might be expended with advantage. 10
remind me Of those very generous pee
Me who run around collecting suoscrar
Hons Tor the heathen while hundreds 9