Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-04-25


that more or less hugged the shore.
Sometimes 1t topped a cliff that
dropped precipitately into the water;
and again 1t descended to a sandy lev
ell that was occasionally reached by
the higher tides.
Near the main village the road as
cended rather steep bluff. and at the
top made sudden turn toward the
town. AS Chamberlain approached
this point. he yielded more and more
to the beauty of the scene. THE Bay
OF Charlespcrt, the rugged. curving
outline of the coast beyond, the green
islands. the glistening sea, the blue
crystalline sky over all-it was a sight
to remember.
Not far from the land, at the near
end of the harbor, was the Sea Gull,
pulling at her mooring. A stones
throw beyond Chamberlains feet.
small rocky tongue of land was pro-
longed by stone breakwater, which
sheltered the curved beach of the
village from the rougher waves. Close
up under the bluff on which he was
standing. the waters of the bay
churned and foamed against a
steep rock wall that shot downward
to unknown depths. 1t was obviously
dangerous place. though the road
was unguarded by fence or railing.
Only delicate fringe of goldenrod
and low juniper bushes veiled the
treacherous cliff edge. 1t was almost
impossible for a traveller. unused to
the region, to pass across the dizzy
stretch of highway without a shudder-
ing glance at the murderous waves
below.
On the crest of this cliff, each of the
two men paused, one following the
other at a little distance. The first
man. however. paused merely for a
few minutes rest after the steep
climb Chamberlain, hardened to phys
ical exertions. took the hill easily.
but stood for a moment lost in spec
ulative wonder at the scene. He kept
a sharp eye on his leader. however.
and presently the two men took up
their Indian file again toward the vii
lage.
Some distance farther on, the road
forked, one spur leading up over the
steep rugged hill, another dropping
abruptly to the main village street and
the wharves. A third branch ran low
athwart the hill and led. finally, to
the summer hotel where Chamber
lain and the Reyniers had been stay
ing. At this division OF the road
Chamberlain saw the other man ahead
of him sitting on a stone. He ap-
preached him leisurely and assumed
an air of business sagacity.
Good day. SIR" said Chamberlain,
planting himself solidly before the
man on the stone. He was rather
pearance; but nevertheless he carried
an air of insolent mockery. 1t seem
ed to Chamberlain. He glanced dis
gustedly at the Englishman. but did
not reply.
Rather waruf day." remarked
Chamberlain pleasantly. No answer.
The man sat with his head propped on
his hands, unmistakably in a bad tenn
per.
Want to buy some land?" inquired
Chamberlain. I'm selling OF lots on
this hill for summer cottages. Water
front, dock privileges, and a guaranty
that no one shall build where 1t will
shut off your view. Terms reasona-
BILE. Like to buy?"
"Noni" snarled the other.
Chamberlain paused in his imagina-
tive flight. and took two luscious yell
low pears from his bulging pockets.
Have a pearl" he pleasantly Of
fered.
The man again looked up, as IL
tempted, but again calculated 'Non!"
Chamberlain leisurely took salts
flying bite.
II get tired myself" he went on.
"tramping over these country roads.
But it's the best way for me to do
business. You don't happen to want
a good hotel. do your
Coarse fare and the discomforts of
beggars' lodgings had told on the
Frenchman's temper, as Chamberlain
had surmised. He looked up with a
show of human interest. Chamberlain
went on.
There's a fine hotel, the Hillside,
over yonder. only a mile or SO away.
Best place in all the region here
abouts; tip-topping set there, too.
Count Some-body-or-Other from Ger
many. and no end of bigwigs: SO of
course they have good cook
Chamberlain paused and finished his
second pear. The man on the stone
was furtive and uneasy. but masked
his disquiet with the insolent sneering
manner that had often served him
well. Chamberlain. having once adopt
ed the role of garrulous travelling
followed 1t up with zest.
"Of course. a man can get a good |
meal. for that matter. at the red |