The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-09-03

once beyond the belt of trees that sur
rounded Mawgan Chase she seemed
to forget the particular object she had
in view. Grayton was SO good a talk
er that everything save the particular
subject he was discussing at the mo-
ment passed out of her mind.
Grayton, in reality, talked general
tiles, but he felt bound to talk in self.
defense. Esther was reticent, as she
usually was when in his company;
and he was consumed with a desire
to tell her he loved her. Hence he al
most feared any break in the CONVEX
sation, lest he should unguardedly be-
tray his feelings and so put an end to
a delightful friendship. SO he talked
about the weather, about his absent
vicar, about the needs of the parish,
about the wrecks on the Beetles, about
the chances of passengers luggage be-
ing washed up by the tide; and on all
these subjects he had something to
say that to Esther at least was ex-
tremely interesting.
The tide was at it's lowest when
they entered the bay. At the extreme
corner, and close to the waters edge,
stood a solitary figure staring steadily
through a pair of field glasses.
Grayton and Esther walked slowly
in his direction. The wind was blow
ing strong and cold. In the offing the
sky looked dark and stormy, The sea
was a muddy green, save where the
rocks churned ii into foam.
The man with the glasses took no
notice OF them. He stood quite still,
looking intently in the same direction.
who is he?" Esther asked, when
they got sufficiently near to see his
face distinctly.
His name is Nevins," Grayton an
swered. "He has been lodging with
old Mrs. Dyer for the last two months
or thereabouts.'
What Ices he do?"
Nothing! He spends all his time
on the cliffs or down in the bay"
rs he connected in any way with
the salvage menu"
mot that | am aware Of, No, he
seems quite alone; and, as time must
hang rather heavy on his hands, | pre-
sumo he finds it interesting to watch
along the coast for whatever the tide
may bring in"
But he must have some particular
object, surely?"
Il believe he came mainly on ac-
count of his health. Had a v
breakdown or something of the sort,
and the doctors ordered complete
change, perfect rest, and absolute
quite, with as much fresh air as he
could get. | am bound to confess,
however, he looks In excellent health"
You have made his acquaintance,
Of course?"
well, hardly. He rather avoids
me. Never comes to church by any
chance, and is as close as an oyster
about his personal affairs"
How Interestingly"
Il have given him the go-by of late.
Mrs. Dyer says he is a very nice man,
gives very little trouble, and pays up
on the nail"
HAS he made any friends in the vii
lager"
Not any, l think. He is too
reticent a man to make friends any
where"
But why does he look at the sea
through a field glass?"
Grayton laughed. "Oh, the story
goes that he holds a watching brief
for some relative who IA a passenger
on the Nebraska, and who is anxious,
in case bis luggage should be washed
up by the tide, that no n runs away
with it."
did he come here for that particu.
lar purpose?"
ooh, no. He had been staying here
some considerable time before his rel
alive knew anything about it. But,
discovering he was here, he wrote,
asking him to keep his eyes Open"
II should like to have a talk with
him."
"You?"
why not? You have aroused my
curiosity"
"Oh. very good. He appears to be
coming this way at length. l will
speak to him."
They changed the angle of their
walk a little so that they might inter
cept him. He, seeing their object,
tried to avoid them. So Grayton call
ed to him across the intervening space
Of sand.
Anything to report. Mr.. Nevins?'
Nothing since 2 o'clock"
"You are hoping for something's"
"Oh, we'll, as to that. I can hardly
say that l am. 1t can make no differ.
ence to me whatever the wave toss
up"
But a relative Of yours is, I am
told. interested"
well. a distant relative, but more a
friend than a relative" and he turned
his head as though he wished to end
the conversation.
HAS your friend lost something
very valuable?" Esther questioned.