Brandon of the Engineers

"Making things is my business and I know when they're made well," Dick

answered modestly. "Anyhow, I want the clasp."

The clerk said they would let him have it because he sometimes bought

supplies for the camp, and Dick put the case in his pocket. Then he

waited until Clare was ready and left the store with her. He had bought

the clasp on an impulse, but now feared that she might not accept his

gift. After a time, he took it out.

"This caught my eye and I thought you might wear it," he said with

diffidence.

Clare took the open case, for at first the beauty of the pattern seized

her attention. Then she hesitated and turned to him with some color in

her face.

"It is very pretty, but why do you want to give it to me?"

"To begin with, the thing has an airy lightness that ought to suit you.

Then you took care of me and we were very good friends when I was ill.

I'd like to feel I'd given you something that might remind you of this.

Besides, you see, I'm going away----"

"But you are coming back."

"Yes; but things might happen in the meantime."

"What kind of things?" Clare asked in vague alarm.

"I don't know," Dick said awkwardly. "Still, disturbing things do happen.

Anyhow won't you take the clasp?"

Clare stood irresolute with the case in her hand. It was strange, and to

some extent embarrassing that Dick should insist upon making her the

present. He had humiliated her and it was impossible that she could marry

him, but there was an appeal in his eyes that was hard to deny. Besides,

the clasp was beautiful and he had shown nice taste in choosing it for

her.

"Very well," she said gently. "I will keep it and wear it now and then."

Dick made a sign of gratitude and they went on, but Clare stopped at the

next corner and held out her hand.

"I must not take you any farther," she said firmly. "I wish you a good

voyage."

She went into a shop and Dick turned back to the harbor where he boarded

the launch. The boat was loaded deep with coal, the fireman was busy, and

soon after the provisions Dick had bought arrived, steam was up. He took

the helm, the engine began to throb, and they glided through the cool

shadow along the mole. When they met the smooth swell at the harbor mouth

the sea blazed with reflected light, and Dick was glad to fix his eyes

upon the little compass in the shade of the awning astern. The boat

lurched away across the long undulations, with the foam curling up about

her bow and rising aft in a white following wave.