"Well, the fact is, Renie, I like you! I'm dead in love with
you, and I'm willing to marry yer, and that's more than most
of the fellows round here would do, knowing all I know."

"Good-night, Sol Burton, I'll not stop to talk with you, nor
will I tell my father that you said insulting words to me."

"What do you suppose I care about Tom Pearce? I can whisper a
few words in his ear that will take some of the starch out of
him! He's been mighty uppish about you, although he's let you
run round the beach barefoot these sixteen years."

"Go talk to Tom Pearce, and do not be the coward to repeat
your threats to me!"

The girl started to move away, when the man suddenly leaped
forward and grasped her in his arms, but the same instant he
received a blow which sent him reeling, as the girl was
snatched from his rude grasp.

A curse fell from the man's lips, and he arose to his feet and
advanced toward the man who had struck him.

"Run home, little girl!" whispered the detective; "I will take
care of this brute!"

"Thank you!" said the girl, and she glided away along the
beach.

"See here, you're the man who struck me?"