In all the hardship and toil of his life his love was as his guardian angel , turning his feet from every dim and crooked byway ; he trod in no path where he would not have the girl he loved to follow . The roughest labour was glorified if it lifted him a step nearer the altar of his worship . But today he felt faintly disturbed . In some strange , indefinable way it seemed to him that Mary Stella was different from her usual self . The impression was vague and evanescent -- gone before he could decide wherein the difference lay . He told himself that he was foolish , yet the vexing , transient feeling continued to come and go . Presently Mary Stella said it was time to go back . Benjamin was in no hurry , but he never disputed her lightest inclination . He turned the dory about and rowed shoreward . Back on the rocks , Mosey Louis and Xavier , the French Canadians , were looking through the spyglass by turns and making characteristic comments on the fleet . Mr. Murray and Braithwaite were standing by the skids , watching the dory . `` Who is that young fellow ? '' asked the latter . `` What a splendid physique he has ! It 's a pleasure to watch him rowing . '' `` That , '' said the older man , with a certain proprietary pride in his tone , `` is Benjamin Selby -- the best mackerel fisherman on the island . He 's been high line all along the gulf shore for years . I do n't know a finer man every way you take him . Maybe you 'll think I 'm partial , '' he continued with a smile . `` You see , he and Mary Stella think a good deal of each other .
I expect XXXXX have Benjamin for a son-in-law some day if all goes well . ''
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