Out of the Mist Read Online Free

their three daughters get married and leave home. The schooner
remained tied at the wharf.
    One day Captain Archie
dropped down dead on the way home from an evening with his friends
at the local saloon. Amelia placed a glowing obituary in the local
paper, extolling her husband’s virtues: his faithfulness, industry,
and loving kindness. (His old crew members scarcely recognized him
from the account.) Two years later, Amelia herself passed away with
her usual calm dignity, in her own bed after a brief (undisclosed)
illness. She left June, now age 27, to inherit the Edwards Mansion,
and his share of funds in the bank.
    June, in spite of his father’s poor opinion
of his capabilities, had started a successful business as a handy
man, fixer, and doer of odd jobs for the community. His
cheerfulness and willingness made him first choice when anyone had
a fence to repair, a porch to paint, or a garden to dig.
    That he also had money in
the bank was well-known in the community, and in particular to Miss
Darlene Sewall, who, in her early thirties lived with her mother in
half a house, and was anxious to improve her situation. From
helping her dig her garden, to accepting a cup of tea in her house,
the acquaintance progressed to movie dates, and after several
months, Darlene was being shown over the Mansion House at Edwards’
Neck. Following the tour, Darlene lounged in a chair at the back
porch, admiring the ocean view. She was smiling, and hopefully
expecting a proposal of marriage. As a matter of fact, June sensed
what was expected of him, and he usually tried to do what was
expected. He didn’t actually kneel down, but he was leaning towards
Darlene, when a hoarse voice rasped, “Avast there! Straighten Up!” Automatically, June straightened his spine, looking round for
his father.
    “ Nasty bird! Get away!”
cried Darlene, flapping her hand at the raven.
    June laughed. “No, it’s just old Blacky,” he
explained. “He wants his hand-out.” Humming a cheerful tune, June
went into the kitchen, and came back with assorted dish scrapings.
The bread crumbs, apple parings, and bits of bacon and egg left
over from breakfast did not add a romantic atmosphere as he laid it
out on a newspaper on the porch. The moment was gone.
    That night, June ruminated
as he lay in bed, watching through the window as the moon rose. His
father, he knew, wouldn’t have approved of Darlene. And he agreed
with his father. Darlene had been a little too interested in the
spacious house, the furniture, and particularly the silverware from
his late mother’s collection. The raven (or his father?) had helped
him make a great escape.
    The raven continued
receiving hand-outs, sharing them with its mate and family which
nested in the nearby spruce tree year after year. June’s habit of
helping people led him into a fellowship with an old school
classmate, Jerry Neal, who was now a real estate man. Jerry took to
coming over in the evening, and passing comments about how the town
was growing. Jerry was connected to a man who wished to establish a
hotel in Shag Harbour.
    “ You could go in with us,
June,” suggested Jerry. “You have an excellent site here, right on
the water. My partner has experience in the hospitality trade. And
I have some savings to invest.” June was by nature agreeable to
suggestions from his friends. A few evenings later, Jerry appeared
with his partner, Melvin. Out on the back porch they all admired
the view.
    “ You have a gold mine
here.” Melvin waved his hand at the harbour. “You could have a
marina here on the shore. Add a motel wing to the Mansion. You have
a gold mine.”
    June felt vaguely uncomfortable, rushed,
some unpleasant feelings in his stomach. What would his mother have
said? Or even more important, his father?
    “ Avast,
there!” A flutter of black wings, a
squawking bill. “Blast your eyes!” The bird seemed to be swearing at Melvin. “Belay that!” The yellow
eyes glowered.
    Dizziness took hold