The state herald., 1913-07-11

ward the main village. along q road
that more or less Rugged the shore.
Sometimes It topped cliff that
dropped precipitately into the water;
and again It descended to sandy lev
ell that was occasionally reached by
the higher tides.
Near the main village the road as
cended rather steep blum. 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 Charlesport. the rugged. curving
outline Of the coast beyond, the green
Islands. the glistening sea, the blue
crystalline sky over all-it was 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 Chamberlain's feet. a
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 blum 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 yelled the
treacherous cliff edge. 1t was almost
impossible for traveller. unused to
the region. to pass across the dizzy
Ing glance at the murderous waves
below.
On the crest OF this cliff, each of the
two men paused, one following the
other at little distance. The first
man. however. paused merely for n
few minutes rest after the steep
climb. Chamberlain, hardened to phys
ical exertions. took the hill easily.
but stood for moment lost In spec
ulative wonder at the scene. He kept
n 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 n 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
large blond. pale and unkempt In ap-
pearance; but nevertheless he carried
an air OF insolent mockery, II seem.
ed to Chamberlain He glanced dis.
gustedly at the Englishman, but did
not reply.
Rather warm day" remarked
Chamberlain pleasantly. No answer
1 The man sat with his head propped on
his hands. Enthusiastically in a bad TEN.
per.
Want to buy some lnnd?" inquired
Chamberlain. I'm selling on lots on
this hill for summer cottages. Water
front. dock privileges. and guaranty
tina, no one shall build where It will
shut OF your view. Terms reasona
BILE. Like TO buy?'
Nom" snarled the other.
Chamberlain paused In his imaginn
tive flight. and took two luscious yol
low pears from his bulging pockets.
Have pearl" he pleasantly of
fered.
Tho man again looked up. as Il
tempted. but again calculated "Noni'
Chamberlain ieisuroiy took satia
flying bite.
Il get tired myself" ho went on
"trnmping over these country roads
But It's the best way for mo TO Dc
business. You don't happen to wan
good hotel. do your
Coarse fare and the discomfor,s o
beggnru lodgings had told Oh III,
Fronchman's temper. as Chamberlain
had surmiscd. lie looked up with /,
show OF human interest, Chamberlain
went on.
There's n fne hotei, tho Hillside
over yondor. only mile or 10 away
Best place In all tho rexion hcre
abouts: uptoppins sot therc. too
Count Some body Other from Cor
many. and no end Of biswiEs: 30 o.
course they have = good cook"
Chamberlain paused and finished hi
second pear. Tho man on the stons
was furtivc and uneasy. but masket
his disauict With tho insolent snesrins
manner that had often served hin
well. Chamberlain. having once adopt
cd tho role Of . Earruious travelling
naiespan. followed II up with zcst
"of course. n man can got a Eoot
meal. for that matter. at tho roc