nd that
through no fault on either side. Now the sun's over the yard-arm and
I'm going in to wet the bosun's whistle. You join?"

"No, thanks, Mr Halse. It's rather too early for me."

"Sure? Well, I'll have to do it alone, then. So long." And he
strolled off, leaving the two young people together.

"What a splendid chap your father is, Verna," began Stride, for on the
strength of his former "refusal," with which we heard him acquaint his
partner, she conceded him the use of her Christian name--at any rate, in
private. "So kind and tactful."

Verna smiled. The encomium holding good of herself, she refrained from
lecturing him on the subject of the vilified Denham. As a matter of
fact, since Stride's arrival she had been about with him far more than
with the other, so that really there was no ground for the younger man's
jealous irritation--as yet. As yet? Exactly. But he, for his part,
was looking ahead. Would she not be under the same roof for an
indefinite time with the objectionable stranger? He knew by experience
that it was impossible to be under the same roof for an indefinite time
with Verna Halse and go forth again heart-whole. And this stranger
seemed to be "coiny," and, to give the devil his due, was a fine-looking
fellow, poor Stride allowed, whereas he himself hardly had a "fiver" to
his name, and lived mainly on the great god Hope. In fact, remembering
this he was inclined to abandon the resolution we heard him express to
his partner--trying his luck again. It was hopeless. He had better
make up his mind to throw up the sponge. But Verna's next words acted
upon him like a spur.

"We start for home to-morrow," she said.

"No!"

"Yes." She could not help smiling a little at his crestfallen look.
All the woman within her accepted the tribute, and at the same time felt
pitiful towards him.

"Do you know why I came over here now, Verna?" he burst forth suddenly,
impulsively. "It was because I heard you would be here, and I couldn't
help trying my luck again."

His animated face and eager eyes held her. Yet her reply was
unequivocal, though kind.

"Your luck is elsewhere, Harry," she answered softly but firmly. "Try
it. I don't want to hurt you, but there is no other way out."

He began to plead. He was at low ebb now, but luck might change.
Beyond that he had expectations; nothing very great, but substantial.
Would she not wait? And a great deal more he poured forth, there