Part 9 (1/2)

or,

The Secret Of Cedar Island.

The Stone Chest.

Chapter I.--A Mystery Of The Storm.

”What a fearful night, Bob!”

”Yes, mother; it's about the worst storm of the season,” replied Bob Cromwell, as he entered the seaside cottage and shook the water from his cap. ”It will go hard on any vessel near the coast. The wind is rising to a perfect gale. Just listen to it sing.”

There was no need to listen. The storm was so violent one could scarcely hear aught else. The little cottage, standing so boldly out upon the sea cliff, shook and rocked from end to end as if preparing to leave its foundations.

”I see supper is ready,” went on Bob. ”By the way, was Mr. Vasty here?”

At once Mrs. Cromwell's face grew dark and troubled. It was an aristocratic face, and plainly indicated that the lady had seen better days.

”Yes, he was here, Bob.”

”And what did he say?”

”We must leave on Monday. The cottage has been sold over our heads.”

Tears stood in Mrs. Cromwell's eyes as she spoke.

”Sold!”

”Yes, my boy. He said he could wait no longer. He believes, as do all in Sea Cove, that your father is dead.”

”Perhaps he is,” sighed Bob. ”It is now over six months since the _Bluebell_ went down. If he escaped in a small boat we should have heard from him before this.”

”Oh, I cannot believe your father dead, Bob,” cried the mother, bursting into tears. ”If I thought that--” She did not finish.

Bob sat down to the supper table in silence. He had little heart to eat, and swallowed the food mechanically.

Bob was seventeen years of age, bright, handsome, and fearless. He was Mrs. Cromwell's only son and his father had been a sea captain.

We say, had been, for the _Bluebell_ had been wrecked some time before and all in Sea Cove thought the captain dead--all saving Mrs. Cromwell, who still hoped for his safe return--hoping, as it were, against hope.

Years before the Cromwells had been rich, owning four large trading vessels. But bad luck had come and continued until the fortune dwindled down to nothing but the owners.h.i.+p of the old _Bluebell_. It was then that the captain had determined on a voyage to Alaska, taking with him a party of men who wished to explore the new gold mines in that territory.

The _Bluebell_ was supposed to have gone down in sight of the coast and only two of the survivors had thus far returned.

As time went by the little cottage, a poor affair at the best, was mortgaged to pay outstanding debts. It was the last of the Cromwell belongings.

Bob worked at the docks, handling freight. It was not what he had been brought up to, but it was the best employment he could obtain in the vicinity.