with the blue eyes, who was startled when he swore.     

  

  

       CHAPTER II—ON THE BEACH     

 AT Manitowoc they picked up a load of laths and shingles, consigned to Grand Haven, and from there they went down to St. Joe, so that it was nearly a week before they returned to Liddington. During this time Bruce slunk about, working hard and drinking water.     

A

       On Saturday they lay ten miles off Liddington in a hazy calm. Billy, who was usually overworked as a matter of course, stretched out forward and went to sleep on the deck. Badeau sat on the rail by the wheel, grumbling—as a man will who has no resources within himself to turn idle hours to account. Bruce whittled a shingle. After a long time Badeau spoke.     

       “Look here, Bruce. What you going to do about that girl?”      

       “I dunno.”      

       “Don't be a fool. Do you want to marry her?”      

       “She wouldn't have me.”      

       “Say, look here. Why don't you ask her?”      

       “I've been thinking, Hunch—-”      

       “We're going to lie up to-morrow.”      

       “I can't do it soon as that.”      

       “'Course you can.”      

       Bruce hesitated, and snapped shavings with his thumb.     

       “Say, Hunch, you know more about girls 'n I do. Don't you s'pose you could kind of—talk to her just a little—”      

       “No, I couldn't. You go round there to-morrow, understand.”      

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