ude
toward the young man entirely.

Louise gave no consideration whatsoever to Aunt Euphemia's snobbish
stand in the matter of Lawford's social position. Professor Grayling
had laughingly said that Euphemia chose to ignore the family's small
beginnings in America. True, the English Graylings possessed a crest
and a pedigree as long as the moral law. But in America the family had
begun by being small tradespeople and farmers.

Of course, Louise considered, Aunt Euphemia would be very unpleasant
and bothersome about this matter. Louise had hoped to escape all that
for the summer by fleeing to Cap'n Abe's store at Cardhaven.

However (and the girl's lips set firmly) she was determined to take her
own gait--to stand upon her own opinion--to refuse to be swerved from
her chosen course by any consideration. Lawford Tapp was in a
financial situation to spend his time in the improvement of his body
and mind without regard to money considerations. Louise foresaw that
they were going to have a delightful time together along the shore
here, until daddy-prof came home in the fall. And then----

She saw no such cloud upon the horizon as Lawford saw. Louise
acknowledged the existence of nothing--not even Aunt Euphemia's
opposition--which could abate the happiness she believed within her
grasp.

She admitted that her interest in Lawford had risen far above the mark
of mere friendly feeling. When she had seen him sinking the day
before, and in peril of his life, she knew beyond peradventure that his
well-being and safety meant more to her than anything else in the world.

Now she was only anxious to have him learn that she instead of Betty
had leaped into the sea after him. She would avoid him no more. Only
she did not wish to meet him there on the beach before all those
idlers. Louise feared that if she did so, she would betray her
happiness. She thrilled with it--she was obsessed with the thought
that there was nothing, after all, to separate Lawford and herself!

Yet the day passed without his coming to the store on the Shell Road.
Louise still felt some disturbance of mind regarding Cap'n Amazon. She
kept away from him as much as possible, for she feared that she might
be tempted to blurt out just what she thought of his ridiculous stories.

She did not like to hear Betty Gallup utter her diatribes against the
master mariner; although in secret she was inclined to accept as true
many of the "able seaman's" st