nd,
feeling his own littleness more and more, he resolved to cast his old
despondency aside and make a fresh start from that moment, accepting all
his worries as the share apportioned to him, and cease to nurse them to
the exclusion of the good.

He could not help a bitter smile crossing his lips the next minute as he
stopped short; for there, dimly seen before him, were two figures gazing
out to sea, and so occupied by their own thoughts that they had not
noticed his approach. They were talking in a low voice of the sea and
the phosphorescence--nothing more; but the tone of their voices!

The old, old story breathed in every modulation, and Stratton sighed and
drew silently away among the rocks farther from the sea, unnoticed by
the pair, who turned and began to retrace their steps toward the lights
he had left behind.

They were silent now; but just as they passed him--their figures looking
like one shadow between him and the luminous sea--the man said softly:

"I often feel as if it were a sin to be so happy when I think of them."

"Yes."

They passed on, while Stratton felt as if he had suddenly received a
tremendous blow, and he staggered back a step or two with his hands to
his brow.

Guest and Edie there! Had he gone mad?

He remained for a few seconds, as if paralysed, before he could collect
himself and follow the figures, which had now passed on and been
swallowed up in the darkness. A cold perspiration broke out upon his
face, and he walked on to overtake them--hurriedly now; but by degrees,
as he drew near enough to make out their silent, shadowy figures,
seeming to glide over the soft sand, he grew a little more calm.

For he felt that the fact of his dwelling so much upon the Jerrold
family had made him ready to jump at the conclusion that this was Edie
and her lover. He could not distinguish face or figure in the gloom,
and he had only had the man's voice to suggest the idea--the woman's was
but a whisper. They were English, of course; but what of that? It was
a foolish mistake; for it was utterly impossible that Guest and Edie
could be alone there that night upon those sands.

All the same, he followed to see where they went, shrinking from going
closer, now that he felt less sure, in dread lest he should seem to be
acting the part of spy upon two strangers; while if it were they it
would be madness to speak. There was only one thing to be done: warn
Brettison, and get their charge awa