le who had established summer homes there were inhabitants of the large neighboring city which they forsook during five months in the year to enjoy the ocean breezes and sylvan

houses had been pulled down and replaced by lordly structures with all the modern conveniences, including spacious stables and farm buildings. Two clubs had been organized along the six miles of coast to provide golf and tennis, afternoon teas and bridge whist for the entertainment of the colony. The scale of living had become more elaborate, and there

plifting of their families and protection against summer heat. At their advent prices made another jump-one which took the breath away. Several of the most conservative owners parted with their estates after naming a figure which they supposed beyond the dang

e telephone, at an amazing rental, one of the more desirable places which was to let on account of the purpose of its owners to spend the summer abroad. It was one of the newer houses, large and commodious; yet its facilities were severely taxed by

chips of the old block, meaning their father, it must not be understood that he had reached the moribund stage. On the contrary, he was still

asked, twice as much as any one else, and seeming to regard it as a privilege. Whoever along The Beaches was interested in charity had merely to present a subscription list to Mr. Anderson to obtain a liberal donation. The equivalent was acquaintance. The man or woman who asked him for money could not very well neglect to bow the next time they met, and so by the end of the first summer he was on speaking terms with most of the men and many of the women. Owing to his generosity, the fund for the building of a new Episcopal church was completed, although he belong

ow they were middle-aged women and their father was dead; but they continued to occupy season after season their cottage, the location of which was one of the most picturesque on the whole shore. The estate commanded a wide ocean view and included some charming woods on one side and a small, sandy, curv

ariably went to town by the half-past eight train. Yet a visit from one of their neighbors was always agreeable to them, and the one in question lived not more than a quarter of a mile away and sometimes did drop in at afternoon tea-time. Certain women might have attempted an apology for their appearance, but Miss Rebecca seemed rather to glory in t

e on

s, said, as he hurled the core with an energetic sweep of his arm into

the shore which quit

ebecca with dogged urbanity. "Is

to crack up the properties they wish to purchase, but I am not afraid of doing so in this case

e have been invited several times to part with it, and declined. It was you yourself wh

hould we get another

ites you to name

f him, I'm sure. Who

niel Anderson." David Walker smiled significantly

ed grooms have turned the head of one of our maids. Our l

ment. He rearranged the gay blue flower which had almost deta

Anderson to offer you $5

claimed Mi

dollars for six

le vine with a detached air and snipped off a straggling tendr

f his announcement; it was clear

hat you did not wish to sell, and he sai

rly rich," let fall Miss Carry, upon whom

opportunity and availing himself of his knowledge of their aspirations. "You could buy elsewhere and have enough left over

the directness of David Walker's sally did not appear to them a liberty, but merely a legitimate summing up of the situation. Miss Rebecca was the spokesman as usual, though her choice was always governed

hild all that is good for her. We love this place. Caroline may marry some day" (Miss Carry laughed protestingly at the suggestion and ejaculated, "Not very likely"), "but I never shall. I expect to come here as long as I live. We love every inch of the place-the woods, the beach, the sea. Our garden, which

round the roots of these trees, Mr. Walker," added th

think it over. It will bear refl

id Miss Rebecca a little tartly. Then she added: "I dare say it will

" said David Walker gloomily. His emotions were not untinged by

client, who was expecting him

med, exhibiting some large cigars elaborately wrapped in gold foil. "They're

t sell, Mr

n who looked as though he were accustomed to butt his way through

l? You offered

prodigious, but the

this land added to theirs I should

several times already. "I warned you," he said, "that they might possibly refuse even this munif

y're poor, you told me

o their happiness. On the contrary, it is because they delight in the view and the woods and their little garden just as they see them that they can't afford to let you hav

e up against it," he murmured. "You think they are no

s man ready to nurse a forlorn hope, "There would be no harm in tr

nt. "I'll walk down there this afte

responsibility of a second offer. "You'll find th

ty?" queried t

they have their own s

into which they were never asked in spite of all his spending; and he was conscious that they were kept at arm's length by polite processes too subtle to be openly resented. Yet he did resent in his heart the check to his ambitions, and at the same time he sought eagerly the cause with an open mind. It had already dawned on him that when he was interested in a topic his voice was louder

iven to understand that these ladies were almost paupers from his point of view; and, though when he had asked who they were, David Walker had described them as representatives of one of the oldest and most respected families, he knew that they took no active part in the social life of th

devotion bestowed upon them. At the farther end was a trellised summer-house in which he perceived that the maiden ladies were taking afternoon tea. There was no sign of hothouse roses or rare exotic plants, but he noticed a beehive, a quaint sundial with an inscription, and along the mid

gentle flutter. An unknown, middle-aged ma

eglass. "I do believe, my

queried M

walking briskly and hat in hand. His manner was distinctly breezy-

y wife wasn't lucky enough to find you at home when sh

mething of one herself-and her neighbor's heartiness was taking. "This is my sister, Miss Caroline Ripley," sh

rniture king was able to settle himself in his seat and look around him without fear that his le

ly place, ladie

es. Up to my place it's all roses and orchids. But my wife told me last week

den has been always just like this-only becoming a little p

cautioned him against the use of this phrase at The Beaches. He received the dainty but evidently ancient cup

view, and beach. And I hear

d a heartfelt response rose promptly to her lips-spoken

we sell, M

rically; yet the would-be purchaser felt that he

ht have made it

fficient for our needs. Our tastes are very simple. The sum which you offered us is a fortune in itself-but we have no ambition for great wealth or

on. From where they sat he could behold the line of shore on either side with its background of dark green woods. Below the wavelets lapped the shingle with melodious rhythm. As far as the ey

r to a million would it make a

ingled surprise and amus

ness to one so generous. But her tone when sh

o tell the truth, we should sca