“It’s the man that mother said was looking for board, I suppose,” said Marion thoughtfully. “Father must have taken him and he’s bringing him straight into the kitchen.”
“He’s the handsomest man I ever saw!” cried Dollie, springing up. “Quick! Marion, we must tidy ourselves up a bit, dear! He mustn’t think we are frights, even if we are a farmer’s daughters!”
Farmer Marlowe introduced the girls with an awkward wave of his hand.
“My darters, Mr. Lawson,” he said, with an effort at politeness. Then leaving the girls to entertain the new boarder, he strode out of the room again to do the evening milking.
The stranger, a man of thirty, of most striking appearance, stood as if rooted to the spot for at least a full moment after his first sight of the girls.
Such beauty as this was rare in any place, but finding it buried here in the wilderness of rocks and sand, he could hardly believe his senses for a minute.
Marion Marlowe rose politely, and offered him a chair, which he accepted with such a glance of admiration that she could not help blushing.
“I am most fortunate in finding such desirable quarters,” he said gallantly, “for I had not dreamed of anything in the way of society in this forlorn little village. You see, I am a bit of an invalid, and the doctor has sent me into the country to rest. Little did I imagine that I should find angels to minister to me! Which will explain, I trust, any seeming rudeness in my manner.”
“We stared at you also,” said Marion, still blushing, “but my sister and I have seen so few gentlemen, Mr. Lawson, that we were just as much surprised as you were.”
She tried to speak naturally, but her voice trembled a little. There was a curious sensation of anger thrilling every fibre of her body.