Life at High Tide

itely arranged that he was to go to the Poor Farm, he did not care how soon he went;

e in and help me finish my machine-for the certain profit that I

, Mr. May," Dyer told him; "but they

darkened. "Blin

n you?" Dyer asked

f myself," Nathaniel

dare to say just when it has been crossed. But this mild creature had crossed it somewhere in the beginning of his certainty that he was going to give the world the means of seeing the unseen. That this great gift should be flung into oblivion, all for the want, as he believed, of a little t

be able to tell faces. You are Jim Graham's wife? Yes; yes, Lizzie Graham. Have you he

heard,"

ls, stained by years of smoke and grime, were hidden by yellowing advertisements of reapers and horse liniments;

forward and stroked his hand. "But maybe

e at the Farm. There is no room there for anyth

?" she asked; and Dyer, who was lounging acros

m," he said, under his breath; "he's-"

rted 'nothing'? I have it in my hand-right here in my hand, Lizzie Graham-to give the world the gift

rs in her eyes. "I would try, Nathaniel;-you could explain it t

it together. But it would take at least two months; at least two months. The doctor said the light would last, perhaps, three months. Then I

ad again; then he lounged out from behind his counter, and se

dered in and flapped a mowing-machine poster on the wall; then dropped, and the room was still again, except that leaf shadows moved across the square of sunshine on the bare boards by the open door. When Lizzie got up

bly on two legs of his chair, detained her with drawling gossip until Hiram Wells came up, and, lounging

seen any ghos

t pretty soon if you send him off

t's to be done-'less some nice, like

sick dog which had found shelter there was comfortable. It seemed to Lizzie that his bleared eyes should be washed; and she did this before she went through her kitchen into a shed-room where she slept. There she sat down in hurr

she went to see

ctors arranged on a shaky table. He welcomed her eagerly, and with all the excitement of conviction plunged at once into an explanation of his principle.

, and paused; then be

: Lizzie Graham. Kin

ow I ain't got mea

let me finish my machine; then I shall have all the money I want, and I will help you; I will give you all you need.

the gate? And woods on the other side of the road? Real shady and pleasant. And I got eight hens and a cow;-well, she'll come in in September, and I'll have real good milk al

; his head had fallen forward on

Lizzie said; "you wo

el was

ously. "Well? Seems

am, said, patiently: "What did you say?

ust saying-if-if you didn't mind getting marrie

said, vacant

she

d her in astonishment.

; I guess it's big enough. Only, we'd have to be married, I'm afraid. Jonesville is

wn his face. "Finish it?" he said, in a whisper. "Oh,

, I am poor. You wouldn't get as good victuals even as you would at the Farm. And you

ted his dim e