ove with Dartmoor and begged my
husband to build me a bungalow up here when the war was ended, if he
could afford to do so. His pilchard trade with Italy practically
came to an end after the summer of 1914. But the company of Pendean
and Trecarrow owned some good little steamers and these were soon
very valuable. So Michael, who had got to care for Dartmoor as much
as I did, presently took steps and succeeded in obtaining a long
lease of a beautiful and sheltered spot near Foggintor quarries, a
few miles from here.

"Meanwhile I had heard nothing from my uncles, though I had seen
Uncle Robert's name in the paper among those who had won the D.S.O.
Michael advised me to leave the question of my money until after the
war, and so I did. We began our bungalow last year and came back to
live with Mrs. Gerry until it should be completed.

"Six months ago I wrote to Uncle Albert in Italy and he told me that
he should deliberate the proposition; but he still much resented my
marriage. I wrote to Uncle Bendigo at Dartmouth also, who was now in
his new home; but while not particularly angry with me, his reply
spoke slightingly of my dear husband.

"These facts bring me to the situation that suddenly developed a
week ago, Mr. Brendon." She stopped and sighed again.

"I much fear that I am tiring you out," he said. "Would you like to
leave the rest?"

"No. For the sake of clearness it is better you hear everything now.
A week ago I was walking out of the post-office, when who should
suddenly stop in front of me on a motor bicycle but Uncle Robert? I
waited only to see him dismount and set his machine on a rest before
the post-office. Then I approached him. My arms were round his neck
and I was kissing him before he had time to know what had happened,
for I need not tell you that I had long since forgiven him. He
frowned at first but at last relented. He was lodging at Paignton,
down on Torbay, for the summer months, and he hinted that he was
engaged to be married. I behaved as nicely as I knew how, and when
he told me that he was going on to Plymouth for a few days before
returning to his present quarters, I implored him to let the past go
and be friends and come and talk to my husband.

"He had been to see an old war comrade at Two Bridges, two miles
from here, and meant to lunch at the Duchy Hotel and then proceed to
Plymouth; but I prevailed upon him at last to come and share our
midday meal, and I was able to tell him th