Are you going on far ?" "Yes, I'm bound for a pretty long tramp,"-- he replied.

"I'm walking to find friends in Cornwall." She opened her eyes in unfeigned wonder and compassion.
"Deary me!" she ejaculated--"You've a stiff road before you.

And to-day I'm afraid you'll be in for a storm." He glanced out through the shop-window.
"It's not raining,"-- he said.
"Not yet,--but it's blowing hard,"-- she replied--"And it's like to blow harder." "Never mind, I must risk it!" And he lifted his cap; "Good-day!" "Good-day! A safe journey to you!" "Thank you!" And, gratefully acknowledging the kindly woman's parting nod and smile, he stepped out of the shop into the street.

There he found the wind had risen indeed.

Showers of blinding dust were circling in the air, blotting out the view,--the sky was covered with masses of murky cloud drifting against each other in threatening confusion--and there was a dashing sound of the sea on the beach which seemed to be steadily increasing in volume and intensity.