The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-26
CHAPTER XxxvII


 Mistress Mary-Quite Contrairy
 Next morning, however, Mistress Mary Quite-Contrairy awakened in her little chamber while she yet breathed the thin, keen air of earliest day, coming and go- ing by the open window. It was as if the room itself were alive and breathing of the sea-elean, pure, salt respirations of the vast unquiet desert to the west.
 Vida awakened slowly. her conscious ness returning to her bit by bit. The call of the sea-she understood that in a mo- ment, as all must do who dwell at the Cove of Portogarten. It does not affect sleep, that fine, solidified roar-not even when 1t rises to the hammering of the tempest upon the great Heughs which Phil Calmont was so busy piercing. min gied with a shriek as of compressed air driven through the passages drilled in the softer limestone and sandstone of Portogarten Cove itself The ear soon got used to all that. It was the silence which awoke.
 In her little room at the cottage, with the winds that took in every sound of the sea to visit her, Vida awakened early because the sea was so still.
 At least that was her first thought. The next impression was a not uncommon one-that something had happened the day before. There was a little burning spot in her breast which did not at first explain It's existence to her brain. The next moment connection with her think ing-self had been made.
 Yes, she remembered now-how she had gone-how she had-he had-oh, how dared he? But wait moment, one must be just Objected the hidden mentor)- was it altogether his fault?
 Of course, 1t was! It always is when a woman begins to argue-an exercise for which she is il-fitted by nature, having only perseverance and infinite repetition to carry her through.
 Vida was at the window now. Craning her neck out carefully so that the busy ants down at the Point lighthouse should not see her leep-tangled hair, she looked up the face of the cliff towards the deep green-blue tent of the pines. It was too high and far away to see anything of course. Even the log on which they had sat was invisible.
 Vida slipped on her dressing gown, cut out and made by her own hands. Then she glided down through the sleeping house to the window where stood the lit- tie stand telescope Billy had bought long ago with his first savings. She carried it unsteadily enough up the stairs.
 She had learned, after much labor, the art of adjusting a telescope. For Phil had remarked that a girl who, on a cycle, could pass between a four-in-hand and hay wagon ought to be able to see her way through plain tube of metal with bits of glass In it. So, alone of her sex she had learned the art. And certainly the teaching came in useful now.
 She adjusted the eye-pieee. It was diff ficult to look away up there, but young people are 1.-the and she soon found & position on her knees. with the telescope held at very acute angle indeed.
 Yes, wonder is the clump of trees beyond. the site of the house-well, if they were not already taking off the turf!'
 And a fear fell upon her-a strange, sudden awe of the Unknown-the man. agers house! Her heart beat Her housel Hers! Yes, that was what he had meant-what he had taken for granted. He took too many things for granted. Kissed her, did he? Declared that she-had he actually said that? Well, she would show him. But there, as the long brass tube swayed, trembled, and settled into crystalline clearness, her startled eyes beheld as a marvel the felled tree on which they two had sat. No mistake about thatl There was the short bough which had come up under her arm. and prevented her from getting any farther away-as she had wanted to. Of course!
 And there, strolling leisurely down the brae-side, was Phil Calmont! Instantly Vida snatohed herself away from the eye-piece with that curious fear which comes to those unused to telescopes and high-power binoculars. She could not rid herself of the notion that Phil could see lar as plainly she could see him. 1t seemed like prying, taking advantage. And as this is indeed it's use in war why not then in love?
 He got down ifs knees. She went away with feeling of ave-, suddenly like one who in carnival dress finds himself, at the opening of a door. in a church. Vida thought he was praying. But Phil, when he prayed. certainly did not do so before men.
 She looked again. She was not curious mo, of course not. But the men cutting the turfs of the house up there seemed somehow to bring matters curiously to a point for Vida-nearer but mistier, Just like seeing through the telescope. Well, after all, she had a right to see what Phil was doing there.
 Again she put her eye to the little disc of glass. Her emotion had blurred it. He seemed to be looking for something on the ground, but all his motions were seen indistinct as through a chromatic haze. She took fine linen hem-from near her heart it was-and wiped the little eye piece She was rewarded. He had found what he was seeking-the yellow flower she had worn at her breast yesterday. He kissed it, glanced rapidly every way to make sure that no one was looking. and then-placed 1t carefully in an inner breast pocket!
 Then, falling at once into a great care lessness, out of another pocket he Dop- duced a foot-rule and began measuring the fallen trunk. Some one was moving on the slope above. Vida could see a man come down towards Phil. At first he was too much in the shadow, but presently he came clearer into the spyglass-feld.
 It was James Kahn.
 Instant fear glued her eye to the tele- scope She did not think of moving any more She was not ashamed. She even pushed the window a foot farther up so that she could see the better. The two men saluted each other. How clearly she could see them. Phil did not offer to shake hands. He had been of Vic Nor riss faction and the Kahnite Jews and the Morrisian Samaritans had none save business dealings.
 The girl saw very well through Billy's lighthouse glass, that James Kahn was holding Phil in discourse. They walked to and fro, Phil the taller by head (Vida was pleased to notice the detaiD. They seemed to be agreeing well enouf though the vibration or the moisture H the atmosphere kept her from seeing expression of their faces
 The telescope moved little. P -4r -I.tE n.