ll other pre-nuptals."

The fisherman gave it as his positive opinion that this would clinch the
matter for the following day.

"Anyhow," he added grimly, "if it don't, I'll be dogged if she gits it!"

When the yacht reached Beaufort, the party went ashore, for it had been
decided that Ethel should be cared for at the Inlet Hotel, where, if
need be, she might prove of service in persuading Sarah into meeting the
ardent Ichabod's wishes.

The hostess greeted the girl warmly, and fussed over her with a maternal
solicitude that promised well for the fisherman's hopes in the matter of
grandchildren. Then, when she had seen her guest comfortably installed,
Sarah returned to the porch, where Ichabod, armed with the check, was
anxiously awaiting her.

"Oh," she exclaimed tenderly, "I'm so glad you have returned safely!
I've really worried about you. I was afraid that dreadful man might do
something terrible if you came upon him unexpectedly."

"No, sir," was the spirited retort; "there ain't nothin' kin git me now
but you!"

The gallant remark so pleased the spinster that she patted his hand
affectionately, as they sat down side by side on a porch settee.

Ichabod braced himself for the encounter. He felt that there was to be
no shilly-shally now. Moreover, his backbone was amazingly stiffened by
the five-thousand-dollar check. He meant business! Besides, it would
never do to disappoint his new friends. He was going to make that
honeymoon-trip, or "bust!"

"Sarah," he began, "do ye remember as how in the old days I was always
said to be a man o' very few words?"

"Why, yes, Ichabod," Sarah agreed--perhaps a little doubtful, "come to
think about it I believe you were. But what's agitating of you to-night?
There seems to be something heavy-like on your mind."

"Thar is, Sary--somethin' mighty big an' I reckin as how you'll think it
sudden. But that's the only way to do--jest speak right plumb out an'
have it over."

His hearer paled slightly. She had a horrid suspicion that her lover had
backslidden, that he meant to return to his hermit life on the Island,
and was here now to jilt her.

"Of course, ye understand that me an' you are promised to wed?" Ichabod
went on.

"Yes," came the faltered response.

"Wall, thar ain't but one thing now as I see it that is a-standin' in
the way, an' that is them-thar pre-nuptals you mentioned when I wanted
to hurry things a leetle. Now, what I'm a-comin' to is this: I'm migh