yes of her daughter were
the real magnets; but in this case they were not. Instead it was the
mother with whom he desired to visit, and when he called that first
evening it was with her he held most converse. Out of the medley of
subjects they chatted about, and what was said by either, so little is
pertinent to this narrative, it need not be quoted. Winn gave a brief
account of his early life and more of the latter part, since he had been
a resident of the city, together with a full explanation of how the
Rockhaven Granite Company was likely to affect the island, and his
mission there. This latter recital, he felt, would be a wise stroke of
policy, as apt to be repeated by Mrs. Hutton, as in truth it was, later
on. While she was not inquisitive, he found she was keenly interested in
the new industry he had established there, and discerning enough to see
that, if successful, it would be a great benefit to the island. Winn
discovered also that in addition to being a most excellent and devoted
mother, she was fairly well posted in current events, had visited
relatives on the mainland many times, and in the city once, and was far
from being narrow-minded. With Mona, who sat a quiet listener, he
exchanged but a few words, and those in connection with the church and
social life of the village. In truth, he found her disinclined to say
much and apparently afraid of him. His call was brief and not
particularly interesting, except that it made him feel a little more at
home on the island, and when he rose to go, he received the expected
invitation to call again; and when he had reached his room, the only
features of the call that remained in his mind were that Mrs. Hutton
seemed interested in his mission there, and her daughter had eyes that
haunted him.

CHAPTER XI

THE DEVIL'S OVEN

The time-worn saw that two is company and three a crowd never struck
Winn so forcibly as that evening when he called again on Mrs. Hutton. On
the first occasion he had only felt interested to make the acquaintance
of that excellent lady, who, in many ways, reminded him of his own
departed mother; but now it was the daughter. But Mona was shy as
before, perhaps more so, and hardly ventured a remark, while the mother
was as cordial and chatty as ever. Once Winn came near speaking of the
little episode that had occurred the day before, but some quick
intuition prevented, and after an hour's visit he bade the two good
night and left them.