Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-09-17


march into the pines. and the final pic
ture of that tall, gaunt figure gazing sea-
ward. could not believe that my imagi-
nation or my dreams could be so vivid as
my remembrance of those scenes.
l questioned Charles closely at break
fast as to how he had passed the night.
1t seemed that he had slept stolidly
through all the uproar. Even had he not.
he would probably have seen nothing. for
his room was at the back OF the house.
The storm continued, though with les
sened violence. After breakfast I yen-
tured out, dressed for a wetting. and
went first to the place where, as I re-
membered, the long boat had been beach
ed. The waves had done away with all
traces Of the keel Then followed as
nearly as l could the path which the
strangers had taken to the pines: but
the wind and rain had obliterated the
Footsteps, II there had ever been any
there. l poked into the pines, only to
be drenched by waterfalls for my pains.
The mystery was as deep as ever when
finally desisted and went back to shell
ter.
After some thought, / determined to
keep my secret TO myself. Charles would
respectfully listen to my statement. but
without further evidence he would be
only too apt, taking the facts In con-
junction with my mysterious ride to the
club In the evening, to believe I had
dreamed 1t all. What would schooner's
crew be doing on our lonely beach in
the height Of midnight storm? A SEN
sible man would naturally be inclined to
doubt.
settled down to work, and, shutting
my mind both to the mystery and to Miss
Graham, succeeded in getting a good deal
done by night. The next day passed in
similar fashion, living in quiet comfort
SO long as the storm lasted.
The third day broke fair, and early In
the morning l swept the sea and the
beach with my binoculars Never were
sea and land more peaceful; the tempest
appeared to have cleared the atmosphere
and brought 1t to a new serenity. Ny
work accomplished, / set out for the little
river to the west Of the cliff, to see how
my catboat had weathered the gale. I
found there was some bailing to be done,
and then, called by gentle breeze, ran
up sail and for an hour beat up the chan
mel. The hot sun Of noon sent me home,
and l sat down to my midday dinner.
| Charles had brought me papers and
note from the club. l ran through the
papers first, to prove to myself how little
l cared for the note. but at last broke
Its seal.
Il am going to hold you to your invita-
ton for supper In the Ship now that the
storm is over. May we have It to-day
about 6?
That was all, without even a sigma
ture.
l was In two minds as to what to do.
| could not disappoint her without SEEM
Ing more than churlish without writing
myself down once and for all as no gen.
tleman, and yet the sight Of her note
reused much of my sleeping resentment.
If went, 1 would at least show her that
two could play at her game.
/ visited the larder and decided on
menu. Then l startled Charles half out
OF his senses, though to his credit be it
said he never showed it. you will pack
these things pointed out certain pro-
visions-"in the wheelbarrow, and take
them on to the Ship on the beach, You
will also take the folding-table from my
study, and two folding-chairs, and set
the table on the deck. l am going TO
take supper there with lady at 6. You
can leave the iced tea in a bottle. Have
the supper ready at quarter before the
hour, and then leave. We will not re-
quire any service
Yes, Mr.. Felix" said Charles. sedate-
| ly. l frowned as though the whole pro-
ceeding bored me- and returned to my
work.
As half past dressed carefully and
left the house. AS walked up the beach
l could not help but contrast this SUNNY
scene with the night of the storm What
ever that night had brought to Alastair
1t was clear l was not to know much
about 1t.
l waited on the shore until Miss Ora.
ham appeared, and crossed the path with
her to the Ship. pulled the short rope.
ladder over the side and helped her on
board. We beheld supper table immac-
ulately set, and places for two.
Miss Graham was delighted, and
could not help relenting little when I
saw how very pleased she was. More
over, l was the host, and she my guest.
and l could not cast shadow over nv
own feast. l tried, therefore, as best I
could, to forget Islip and the locket, and
to think only Of what beautiful late
afternoon 1t was, of how fresh the smell
Of the sea came to the old Ships decks.
and Of the beauty Of the girl who sat
across from me- l think she detected
that at first was making an effort, and
so tried to help me, for she was very
lively and talkative. making much sport
Of the supper, all the courses of which
were spread before us at once and Of
our having to wait upon ourselves.
When we had finished supper, I asked
Miss Graham's permission to light a Gig
arette and pushed my chair a jittIa ho "A,