Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-11
CHAPTER VI
The Snakes Strike.

II was clear and still that night. Al
though he was not entirely free from
the oppressive indefinable sensations
Of the previous evening, Miller slept
better. Tony. on his part, behaved in
The same disturbing manner, sitting ST..
lent and motionless in fhe kitchen
doorway until Miller went to bed, then
extinguishing his lamp with evident
reluctance.
The daylight, however brought Mil
ler's cheerfulness back to him. He was
early on deck, scanning the dunes OK
pectantly: but the girl did not come
10 the beach that morning. Miller was
sorry. He grew discontinued.
A small gasoline launch rounded the
end of the island at eight o'clock. Mil.
Ter reawakened to sense of interest
as it Chugged nosily in the direction
Of the Dart. 1t probably held Morgan
BY def questioning he might learn
something OF the girls personality
from her father. Why not, indeed say
TO Mo gan: Il met your daughter on
the beech y sterday ~ BIT he lemem.
tered he sin red the sec Of of those
early morning excursions wlth he.
Moreover. his effort with Anderson
had convinced him that he could not
speak casually of her.
Morgan was a small man, past fifty,
with stout, pleasant face and ready
smile. He stepped aboard, introduc.
ing himself easily.
"Pleasc be frank IL you don't care
to be disturbed. | thought I'd run over
and see. live in the house at the
end OF she island. My names Mor-
gan"
I'm glad you've come" Miller an.
swered warmly. Il hoped some one
from that delightful house would
Il suppose you're cruising up the
coast Morgan said.
"Yes-anchored here night before
last. find ii so attractive I'm in no
great hurry to go on
Morgan laughed.
when the impulse comes. think of
us and resist it. A boat in the Inlet
as an event. Yours is the first in three
months"
Miller pointed at the apparently de-
serted fishermans craft. Morgan
shrugged his shoulders. A shadow
crossed his face.
mo company. A sour native. You
see the Andersons and my household
are the whole community. Have you
met the Andersons?"
They rOwed out yesterday"
"Now that you know us all you must
let US see lot of you"
i want to- Miller said. I'm anx-
ious to look at that old place of yours
Ii must have a history"
"Too much history" Morgan an
swered drily. Still IL doesn't. do TO
run down ones own possessions par.
'icularly when economy chains one 10
them. Come when you wish. Naturally
you're never likely to find me far
away"
Morgan remained, chatting, for only
n few minutes. Miller pressed him TO
stay, for the little man amused him
with his genial air and dry humour.
Morgan, however, refused, saying be
had promised to go to Sandport with
Anderson that morning.
As he watched the launch disappear
around the bend Miller lost patience
with himself. Why had he found il
impossible to speak OF the girl to her
father? That afternoon, at least, he
would take himself in hand. He would
open a campaign. He would call on
the Andersons early, and afterwards
return Morgans call. He had told
the girl to see him at the plantation
house, and he recalled the shrinking
obedience in her eyes. II he did moi
see her he would throw Off this unac.
eustomed embarrassment. He would
force himself to speak OF her to Nor.
gan.
As soon as he had lunched he told
Tony to row him ashore. They land.
ed a quarter Of mile below the fish.
erman's tub. He directed Tony to re-.
lnrn To the Dart He said he would