The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-10-16

IL he were to go down into the bay.
Besides, there is no tide to bring any
thing in"
He knocked timidly on the low, nar
row and waited. He was experiencing
the mos uncomfortable quarter Of an
hour he had ever known.
In a few moments the door was
opened by Mrs. Dyer. who looked
rather surprised when she saw who
her visitor was. Mrs. Dyer did not
belong to the Episcopal flock; she
was born and bred a Methodist, and
she intended, she said, to die one.
oh. good mornin' to 'ee," Mrs. Dy-
er said, in her ~pleasantest manner, for
she had great respect for Grayton, and
was always pleased when he called.
and how be zee today"
"Oh, I'm very well, thank you, Mrs.
Dyer; and how are your.
"Bravish to middlin.' This damp
weather the rheumatic gifts into my
bones; but won't zee be comm in
side?"
THANK you, Mrs. Dyer. l called to
see Mr.. Nevins; hope he is in
We'll, now, to think of it! But
come in, all the same.'' And Mrs. DIV.
err stood back against the wall for
Grayton to pass.
Then Mr.. Nevins is not fn?" the
curate questioned, in a disappointed
tone.
We'll, no at this minute. But come
inside, all he same. l hope Pm not
poison, though l don't belong to
church."
Grayton laughed. you know, Mrs.
Dyer he said, Il never worry about
peoples creed SO long as they are try
ing to serve God and do the right"
We'll, that's what our praicher told
us las time he was here. An it
sounds right, it do And Mrs. Dyer
pushed open the little sitting room
door and pointed to an easy chair by
the fire.
THE air is very raw" Grayton said,
as he stopped and warmed the tips
of his fingers. Il wonder Mr.. Nevins,
being an invalid, is not afraid to ven
ture out"
well sir'-and Mrs. Dyer looked
apprehensively out of the window,
then closed softly the sitting room
door-"as l was a-sayin' to myself on
ly this morning, it amt for the like
of me to cast any reflections on a
ledger who pays his rent regular and
don't give no trouble to speak Of"
HI seems a very methodical mani"
"Methodical? Well, sir, to tell zee
the honest truth, I'm beginnin' to fear
that he's a bit mazed."
why SO, Mrs. Dyer""
We'll, he amt like other folks. He
never goes to church nor chapel, new.
er reads no books. never talks to no.
body, never makes no friends, never
says nothin' bout himself, never let's
on where he ZONES from, and never
gives anybody a hint where he's
goin' to-"
Hes a reticent man, no doubt"
"Reticent? Well, If you mean by
that that there's no gettin' nothin' out
of him, you're right. But it amt that
altogether that worries me. He calls
himself q invalid-here for his 'ealth's
sake, an all that. 1t don't old wat
ter. Mr.. Grayton. There's something
Shiny bout I'm. and though I amt agin
the money e pays, l sha'n't be sorry
when he goes back where he comes
from"
do o know where that is?"
Il don't. He gifts letters now an
then with the London post mark on
'em and money in 'em-ive-poun'
notes. But whether he comes from
London or no is more than l can say.
He never speaks Of wife or child.
friend or relation"
Hes never left st. Chloe for a day,
I think, since he came here?"
Never for a day, sir. No: he
spends all his time huntin' for shells
an stones along the beach. He's
quite a collection in his bedroom"
"But it's something from the
| Nebraska he's on the lookout for
mainly. I understand"
$50 I'VE heerd it said, MI. Grayton.
But he says nawthin' to me
bout 1t. I tell zee. he's closer'n a
oyster at low tide"
"And what time do you expect him
in?"
.Not till nearly two. BY half.past
three or -four he'll be out again"
Then he doesn't give you much
troubles"
Grayton did not pursue the CONVEX
sation any farther in that direction.
and soon after took his departure.
In crossing the square he came face
to face with Esther Mawgan. His
eyes frightened in q moment and his
lips broke into a smile. It always
seemed . red-letter day to him when
abe came into the village. He was
no longer conscious Of the raw. damp
for. Her presence was like a burst
81 sunshine.
IT I'M 30 glad I have met you" he
said. In his frank, straightforward
wy. Il was half-minded to come
across to the Chase to e you"
ssVxysIi vnu rome with ma now ?" she