CHAPTER XIII.
STUMBLING BLOCKS.
From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
When Mark returned from his visit to B——, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
He simply told her that he had run upon a fishing net where he had never expected to find one, and going very rapidly, with a fresh breeze blowing, the surf-skiff had capsized, throwing him and his purchases out. His papers were all wet, but Peggy quickly dried them.
“But about this check, Mark, which Commodore Lucien so kindly sent you?” asked his mother.
“I answered the letter at once, mother, returning the check, and accepting the outfit, for which I shall pay him at some future day.”
“That was right, my son.”