r bolster up the reputation of the
absent Cap'n Abe in any way, the noise of an automobile stopping before
the store was audible,

"Now, if that's one o' them summer fellers, for gas I shall raise the
price of it--I vow!" ejaculated Cap'n Amazon, but getting up briskly
and laying aside his pipe and knitting.

The summons did not come on the store door. Somebody opened the gate,
came to the side door and rapped. Cap'n Amazon shuffled into the hall
and held parley with the caller.

"Why, come right in! Sure she's here--an' we're both sittin' up for
comp'ny," Louise heard the captain say heartily.

He ushered in Lawford Tapp. Not the usual Lawford, in rough
fisherman's clothing or boating flannels--or even in the chauffeur's
uniform Louise supposed he sometimes wore. But in the neat,
well-fitting clothing of what the habit-advertising pages of the
magazines term the "up to date young man." His sartorial appearance
outclassed that of any longshoreman she had ever imagined.

Louise gave him her hand with just a little apprehension. She realized
that for a young man to make an evening call upon a girl in a simple
community such as Cardhaven might cause comment which she did not care
to arouse. But it seemed Lawford Tapp had an errand.

"I do not know, Miss Grayling, whether you care to go out in my _Merry
Andrew_ now that your friends have arrived," he said. "But if you do,
we might go on Thursday."

"Day after to-morrow? Why not?" she replied with alacrity. "Of course
I shall be glad to go--as I already assured you. My--er--friends'
coming makes no difference." She thought he referred to Aunt Euphemia
and the Perritons. "They will not take up so much of my time that I
shall have to desert all my other acquaintances."

Lawford cheered up immensely at this statement. Cap'n Amazon had gone
into the store at once and now returned with, his box of "private stock
two-fors," one of which choice cigars each of the men took.

"Light up! Light up!" he said cordially. "My niece don't mind the
smell of tobacker." Cap'n Amazon was much more friendly with Lawford
than Louise might have expected him to be. But, of course, hospitality
was a form of religion with the Silt brothers. They could neither of
them have treated a guest shabbily.

Indeed, under the influence of the cigar and the presence of another
listener, the captain expanded. With little urging he related incident
after incident of his varied car