If people came to accept as true the tale the girl
could relate, Tunis' reputation would be smirched utterly in the
opinion of all Big Wreck Cove folk.
Much as Sheila Macklin felt that her own happiness with Tunis was
now impossible--a flash of Aunt Lucretia made this realization the
more poignant--he must be sheltered from any folly regarding this
thing. She knew well his impulsive, generous nature. Who had a
fuller knowledge of it than she?
She must think and act for herself, without any conference with
Tunis. But she must do the only thing, after all, that would balk
this wretched girl from the city--for a time, at least.
The real Ida May Bostwick had no friends here and no acquaintances
among the people of Big Wreck Cove. It would be no easy matter for
her to establish either credit or the fact of her identity in the
community. It would take time and perhaps be very difficult for Ida
May to bring forward conclusive evidence that would convince the
Balls, or anybody else, of her real personality and prove that the
girl in possession was an impostor.
All the latter had to do was to maintain her already-accepted
standing, deny the true Ida May's claim, and demand that the latter
show proof of her apparently preposterous statement.
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