Part 38 (1/2)
”I'm afraid, sir----”
”Well?”
”I don't believe, sir----”
”That it's worth anything at all?” the farnity, the accoave hith ”Thank you,” he said; ”I understand”
He looked around with a troubled glance and saw the far shbor had found, which was still lying on the table beside the instrun He turned to Colin
”I see that it's no good,” he said, ”but I shall keep it just the same
If you have finished with it----”
Colin stood up and placed the pearl in his hand
”Please take it to soht away,” he said ”I couldn't sleep--suppose I rong!”
The old farravely
”No man would do as you have done and say what you have said, unless it was so clear that he couldn't help but know,” he replied He turned to the neighbors ”I'm afraid,” he said, ”I have in part spoiled your pleasure, and,” he added, with a twitch of the muscles of his face, ”o home”
The others pressed forords of sympathy, but the stricken man paid no heed and passed out of the door Colin sat heavily back in his chair staring moodily at the instruments, his heart sore within hiht of the old farmer's sorroas powerfully before hirip on hi an une could be heard a murmur of voices, as the old farmer tried to comfort his wife, while inside the house no one spoke lest he should seerief and disappoint Suddenly a third voice was heard outside, speaking excitedly Once again that tense clutch of suppressed emotion permeated the room and Colin, with his heart in his mouth, looked up No one h the open door, rushed a boy about twelve years old,like lights fronized instantly the faroin' over some shells father hadn' opened, after he'd found that other pearl, an' I got this! Father he says the other one's no good an'
that this isn' likely to be any better! But I don' know! It looks all right!”
He glanced down at the object in his hand
”Father said it was no good,” he repeated, a little less certainly; ”but I don' know”
He held out his hand and passed the pearl to the lanced at it hastily
”Mr Dare!” he said excitedly
Colin looked up and caught his glance, then tried to take the stone But his hand shook as though he were in a violent fever, and the atherer placed it on the table beside his own, in front of the boy Clear, flawless, and of fair size, it gleamed like a star of hope before the from his seat Colin seized the pearl and rushed out of the door
”It's real, sir; it's real!” he cried ”And will do all you said!”
The old farmer never looked at him He turned his face toward the stars and reverently removed his hat
CHAPTER IX
A TUSSLE WITH THE MONARCH OF THE SEA