straw. His face had grown dark, and the reckless lines about his
mouth became suddenly prominent.

"Why, where's Molly Peterkin?" he asked abruptly, with a laugh
that seemed to slip from him against his will.

The other broke into a long whistle and tossed the end of his
cigarette through the doorway.

"You needn't think I've forgotten her," he replied; "she's the
one bright spot I see in this barren hole. By the way, why do you
think her a fool?"

"Because she is one."

"And you're a brute. What does a man want with brains in a woman,
anyway. Maria had them and they didn't keep her from coming to
shipwreck."

Christopher reached for the lantern.

"Well, I've got to go now," he broke in, "and you'd better be
trotting home or you'll have the old man and the hounds out after
you."

With the lantern swinging from his hand, he went to the door and
waited for Will; then passing out, he turned the key in the lock,
and with a short "Good-night!" started briskly toward the house.

Will followed him to the kitchen steps, and then keeping to the