"
Walkirk shook his head. "I do not believe that," he said; "her
determination to rivet the bonds which hold her to her sisterhood shows
that she was afraid of her interest in you; and if it gave her reason to
fear, it gives you reason to hope."
"Put that in the past tense, please," I replied; "whatever it may have
given, it gives nothing now. To hope would be absurd."
"Mr. Vanderley," exclaimed Walkirk, "I would not give up in that way. I
am certain, from what I know, that Miss Raynor's interest in you is
plain not only to herself, but to her family and friends; and I tell
you, sir, that sort of interest cannot be extinguished by promises and
resolutions. If I were you, I would keep up the fight. She is not yet a
vowed sister."
"Walkirk," said I, offering him my hand; "you are a good fellow, and,
although I cannot believe what you say, I thank you for saying it."
It was now long past noon, and we were both ready for the luncheon which
we had brought with us. Walkirk opened the basket, and as he arranged
its contents on the broad napkin, which he spread upon the grass, he
ruminated.
"I think," he remarked, as we were eating, "that I begin to understand
the situation. At first I could not reconcile the facts with the Sand
Lady's statement that no one lived on her island but her family, but now
I see that this creek must make an island of her domain; and so it is
that, although Captain Jabe is her neighbor, her statement is entirely
correct.
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