Blow the Man Down - A Romance of the Coast

"I want to be what you want me to be--to do what you want me to do. But

I wish you would tell me to go out into the world and make something of

myself. Alma, tell me to go! And wait for me!"

She laid her face against his shoulder and reached for his fingers,

endeavoring to pull one of his arms about her. But both of his hands

were clutching the rail of the bridge. He resisted.

"Are you going to be like all the rest? Just money and trouble and

worry?" She stretched up on tiptoe and brushed a kiss across his fog-wet

cheek. "Are you asleep, my big boy? Yesterday you were awake."

"I think I am really awake to-day, and that I was dreaming yesterday.

Alma, I cannot sneak behind your father's back to make love to you. I

can't do it. I'm going to give up this position. I can't endure it."

"I say 'No!' I need you."

"But--"

"I'll not give you up."

There was something dramatic in her declaration; her demeanor expressed

the placid calm of absolute proprietorship. She worked his unwilling

fingers free from the rail.

"I love you because you can forget yourself. Now don't be like all the

others."

He realized that a queer little sting of impatience was pricking him.

The girl did not seem to understand what his manhood was prompting.

"You mustn't be selfish, Boyd!"

She put into words the vague thought which had been troubling him in

regard to her attitude; and now that he understood what his thought had

been he was incensed by what seemed his own disloyalty. And yet, the

girl was asking him to make over his nature!

"I'm afraid it's all wrong. These things never seem to come out right,"

he mourned.

"You are trying to turn the world upside down all at once--and all

alone. Don't think so much, you solemn Yankee. Just love!"

He put his aims about her. "I'm sailing in new waters. I don't seem to

know the true course or the right bearings!"

"Let's stay anchored until the fog lifts! Isn't that what sailors

usually do?"

He confessed it, kissing her when she lifted her tantalizing face from

his shoulder.

"Now you'll let the future alone, won't you?" she asked.

"Yes." But even while he promised he was obliged to face that future.

Julius Marston, at the foot of the ladder, called to his daughter. "Are

you up there?" he demanded, sharply.