Dialstone Lane, Complete

s Drewitt, as they sat at dinner an hour

. "You've been scowling and smiling by turns

morning," said the captain, slowly; "trying to f

of ale and shook

eas about that,

"Once she got an idea into her head it stuck there, and nothing made her more angry

you've earned half the sum," she sai

as smiling," dec

siderable fluency until the meal was finished. Miss Drewitt, who had a long memory and at least her fair sh

very cheerful,

ral points. "Am I?" he said,

inquired

al, I mean. I always do look fairly cheerful-at least, I

ptain walked to the small glass over the mantelpiece and, regarding his tell-tale features with gloomy diss

y went out, and, checking a remark which rose to his

be a nice walk," said Miss Drewitt,

ton Priors," he said, slowly. "We could go

ld be nice to-day,

," said the cap

for wanting to go to Dutton Priors

no. What reason should I have? My leg is a

, begged him to lean on her, questioning him anxio

the reply, as they proceede

his leg became almost contagious. At the old stone bridge, spanning the river at the bottom of the High Street, he paused, and, resting his arms on the parapet, became inte

on?" she sa

uded a criticism of the Chinese as boat-builders, prepared to depart. He cast a swift glance up the road as he did so, and Miss Drewitt's cheek flam

id that startled mariner

ncing on his head he could no

, as he came up and shook hands. "I

emerged from a large red pocket-handkerchief

uskily. "I'd forgotten about our arran

d Mr. Tredg

ed to the tricks which old age plays with memory. As t

leg, uncle," said M

s gazed at he

ff and put too much strain

g fashion. A choice portion of his programme, which, owing to the events of the afternoon, he had almost

ort and feeling in his pockets. "Ther

er, uncle?" inqu

home," said the captai

cigars," sugg

my pipe," he said, decidedly. "If you two w

the way back for it?"

o," said

'll go," he said, firmly. "I'm not quite sure where I l

old turned, and, making a mental note of the fact that Miss Drewi

his pipe," he said, after they h

ted. "Nasty things

e," said Mr

moke," sai

iving it up," he said, softly, "and then I was

s?" repeated

ough for them, it ought to be good enough for me; that's the way I look at it. Who am I that I should be too proud

itt made

e air of making a concession. "It is the first smoke that does the mischief;

indicated. "Very nice," she said, bri

g to say," he murmured, gently, "unless, perhaps, one begins on coarse

ation. "I wanted to see where the

inquired Mr. Tr

ubt my uncle gave you full particulars," she said, bitter

im," said the virt

. "It is not a matter of any consequence. I am surprised

for the captain. Edward Tredgold looked too, and a feeling of annoyance a

" he said, glancing at the sky. "The so

uired his

id the oth

ing," said Miss Drewitt, c

r walk faster, though

here is no fear of its raining," she declared. "

. Tredgold; for a fraction of a second the veil was lifted. "Do

aking them. The feat would not have been beyond the powers of an athletic

long, searching glance along the way they had come. "Perhap

edgold, with unwonted caution; "but

ght ahead of them. As if in response,

said Miss Drewitt, drawi

hing like it,"

ut the matter beyond a doubt. Miss Drewitt, turning very pale,

e lane, and before they had gone a dozen paces the rain came down in torrents. Two or three fields away a s

olding her skirts in one hand and shivering at every flash, ran until they brou

s Drewitt it seemed insurmountable, but, aided by Mr. Tredgold and a peal of thunder which came to his assistance at a critical moment, sh

it had certain redeeming features in Mr. Tredgold's eyes of which

rewitt, in a trembling voi

f solemn pleasure in this unexpected conc

" he said, with

itt, petulantly, "and I can ne

he rattle of rain on the roof became less deafening and began to dri

aid Tredgold, goin

reased in size; the rain ceased and the sun came out; birds exchanged congratulations from every

under a fair sky the

Miss Drewitt, as she stood on the other side. "I suppose that y

that she was holding him responsible for the captain's awkward behaviour; the rain; her spoiled clothes; and a severe cold in t

looking straight before her, trying to imagine what she looked like. There was no sign of the captain, but as they turned into Dialstone Lan

t, holding out her hand as sh

departed. Miss Drewitt, opening the door, looked round an empty room. Then t

wet, miss?"

"Where is Captain Bowers?" she as

. "He's gone to bed with a

he astonished Miss Dre

d it, though it seems funny, considering what a lot he must ha' seen at sea. He said he'd go

ve to postpone her demands for an explanation to a more fitting opportunity. Tired, wet, and angry she gained her own room, and threw herself

started in