Benjamin bent lower over his work . `` You need n't thank me , '' he said gruffly . `` I wanted to let you drown . But I went out for Mary Stella 's sake . Tell me one thing -- I could n't bring myself to ask it of anyone else . When are you to be -- married ? '' `` The 12th of September . '' Benjamin did not wince . He turned away and looked out across the sea for a few moments . The last agony of his great renunciation was upon him . Then he turned and held out his hand . `` For her sake , '' he said earnestly . Frank Braithwaite put his slender white hand into the fisherman 's hard brown palm . There were tears in both men 's eyes . They parted in silence . On the morning of the 12th of September Benjamin Selby went out to the fishing grounds as usual . The catch was good , although the season was almost over . In the afternoon the French Canadians went to sleep . Benjamin intended to row down the shore for salt . He stood by his dory , ready to start , but he seemed to be waiting for something .
At last it came : a faint train whistle blew , a puff of white smoke floated XXXXX a distant gap in the sandhills .
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