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It was only after the return from his second cruise that Code

paid attention to Nellie Tanner. Something in him that respected

her trouble and Elsa's confession at the same time had kept his

lips sealed during that short stay at home. But one Sunday after

the second trip they climbed to the crest of the mountain back of

the closed Mallaby House, and Code told her what had been in his

heart all these years.

For a while she said nothing. The sun was setting over the

distant Maine coast and the clouds all round the horizon were

wonderful masses of short-lived rainbow texture. The sea was the

pink and greenish blue of floating oil.

"You get me a trifle shop-worn," she said at last, laughing

uncertainly.

"Then I get you?" He had turned toward her with a flash of boyish

eagerness. One look at her radiant face and shining eyes found

the answer.