Seth’sanxietywasrelieved，butthatoneglimpsemadehimevenmoreeagerforhome。Herowedonforashorttime，andthenbeganedgingintowardtheinvisibleleft-handshore。Judgingbythelengthoftimehehadbeenrowing，hemustbeclosetothemouthoftheSlough，where，windingthroughthesaltmarshes，itemergedintotheBackHarbor。
Hecreptinnearerandnearer，butnoshorecameinsight。Thefogwasnowsothickthathecouldseenotmorethantenfeetfromtheboat，butifhewasinthemouthoftheSloughheshouldhavegroundedonthemarshbanklongbefore。Thereasonthathedidnot，areasonwhichdidnotoccurtohimatthetime，wasthatthemarsheswerefourfeetunderwater。OwingtothetremendoustidePounddugSloughwasnowmerelyacontinuationoftheHarborandalmostaswide。
Thelightkeeperbegantothinkthathemusthavemiscalculatedhisdistance。Hecouldnothaverowedasfarashethought。Therefore，heagainturnedthedory’snoseintotheteethofthewindandpulledsteadilyon。Atintervalshestoppedandlistened。Allheheardwasthemoanofdistantfoghornsandthewhistlingofthegustsintreessomewhereathisleft。TherewerepinegrovesscatteredallalongthebluffsontheEastboroside，sothisdidnothelphimmuchexcepttoprovethattheshorewasnotfaraway。Hepulledharderontherightoar。Thenhestoppedoncemoretolisten。
Anotherblasthowledthroughthedistanttreesandsweptdownuponhim。Then，borneonthewind，heheardfromsomewhereahead，andalarminglynearathand，othersounds，voices，callsforhelp。
\"Ahoy！\"heshouted。\"Ahoythere！Whoisit？Whereareyou？\"
\"Help！\"camethecallsagain——andnearer。\"Help！\"
\"Lookout！\"roaredSeth，peeringexcitedlyoverhisshoulderintothedark。\"Whereareyou？Lookoutoryou’llbeafoulof……
Jumpin’Judas！\"
Foroutofthefogloomedabulkyshapedrivingdownuponhim。Hepulledfranticallyattheoars，butitwastoolate。Amastrockedagainstthesky，astubbybowspritshotoverthedory，andthelittleboat，struckbroadsideon，heeledtothewater’sedge。Seth，springingfranticallyupward，seizedthebowspritandclungtoit。
Thedory，pushedasideandhalffullofwater，disappeared。Fromthedeckbehindthebowsprittwovoices，aman’svoiceandawoman’s，screamedwildly。
Sethdidnotscream。Clingingtothereelingbowsprit，heswunguponit，edgedhiswaytothevessel’sbowsandsteppeduponthedeck。
\"Forthundersakes！\"heroaredangrily，\"whatkindofnavigation’sthis？Where’syourlights，youlubbers？Whatd’youmeanby——
Whereareyouanyhow？And——andwhatschooner’sthis？\"
Forthedeck，asmuchashecouldseeofitinthedark，lookedastonishinglyfamiliar。Ashestumbledaftitbecamemorefamiliarstill。Theropes，acombinationofnewandold，thenewboardsinthedeckplanking，thegeneralarrangementofthings，asfamiliartohimasthearrangementoffurnitureinthekitchenoftheLights！
Itcouldnotbe……butitwas！Thelittleschoonerwashisown，hishobby，hisafternoonworkshop——theDaisyM。herself。TheDaisyM。，whichhehadlastseenstrandedand，ashesupposed，hardandfastaground！TheDaisyM。afloat，afteralltheseyears！
Fromthesternbythecabinhatchamancamereelingtowardhim，holdingtotherailforsupportwithonehandandbrandishingtheother。
\"Help！\"criedthemanwildly。\"Whoisit？Helpus！we’redrowning！
We’re……Can’tyouputusashore。Pleaseputus……GoodLord！\"
Sethmadenoanswer。Howcouldhe？ThemanwasBennieD。
Andthenanotherfigurefollowedthefirst，andawoman’svoicespokepleadingly。
\"Haveyougotaboat？\"itcried。\"We’readriftonthisdreadfulthingand……why，SETH！\"
ThewomanwasEmelineBascom。
\"Why，SETH！\"shesaidagain。Thenthesoundsofthewindandwavesandthecreakingandcrackingoftheoldschooneralonebrokethesilence。
ButBennieD。，evenundertheshockofsuchasurpriseasthis，didnotremainsilentlong。Hispreciousselfwasindanger。
\"Youputusashore！\"heshouted。\"Youputusashorerightoff，doyouhear？Don’tstandtherelikeafool！Dosomething。Doyouwantustodrown？DOsomething！\"
Sethcametolife。Hisfirstspeechwassharpandbusinesslike。
\"Emeline，\"hesaid，\"there’salanternhangingupinthecabin。Golightitandfetchittome。Hurry！\"
\"It’supset，\"wasthefrightenedanswer。\"Benniefounditwhenwefirstcameaboard。Whenwe——whenthisawfulboatstarted，itupsetandwentout。\"
\"Nevermind。Probablythere’sileenoughleftforaspell。Gofetchit。There’smatchesinaboxonthewalljustunderneathwhere’twashangin’。Don’tstoptotalk！Move！\"
Mrs。Bascommoved。Sethturnedtothe\"inventor。\"
\"Comefor’ardwithme，\"heordered。\"Here！thisway！for’ard！
FOR’ARD！\"
Heseizedhiscompanionbythearmandpulledhimtowardthebow。
Thefrightenedgeniusheldback。
\"Whatintimeisthematterwithyou？\"snarledthelightkeeper。
\"Areyourfeetasleep？Come！\"
BennieD。came，undercompulsion。Sethhalfled，halfdraggedhimtothebow，and，bendingdown，uncoiledaropeandputitinhishands。
\"Them’sthejibhalliards，\"heexplained。\"Haulon’emquickandhardasyoucan。Ifwecanh’istthejibwecangetsomesteeragewayonher，maybe。Haul！haultillyoucan’thaulnomore。ThenhangontillIcomebackandmakefast。\"
Herushedbacktothewheel。Thetillerropeswerenew，andhecouldtrustthem，fortunately。FromthecabinhatchwayemergedMrs。
Bascombearingthelightedlantern。
\"Good！\"snappedSeth。\"Nowwecanseewhatwe’redoin’and，ifweshowaglim，maybewewon’trundownnomoredories。Yougofor’ardand——No，youtakethiswheelandholditjustas’tis。JUSTas’tis；understand？I’llbebackinajiffy。Whatinthunder’sthematterwiththatfoolheadatthejib？\"
Heseizedthelanternandrushedtothebow。BennieD。haddroppedthehalliardandwasleaningovertherailscreamingforhelp。
Sethhoistedthejibhimself，madeitfast，andthenturnedhisattentiontothemutinoushand。
\"Shutup！\"hebellowed，catchinghimbythearm。\"Whodoyoucal’late’sgoin’tohearyou？Shutup！Youcomewithme。Iwantyoutopump。Theoldcraftwoulddowellenoughifshewastight，butshe’smore’nlikelytakin’waterlikeasieve。Youcomeandpump。\"
ButBenniehadnonotionofpumping。Withajerkhetoreloosefromthelightkeeper’sgraspandrantothestern，wherehecontinuedhishowlsforhelp。
Sethwasathisheels。
\"Stopthat，Itellyou，\"hecommandedangrily。\"Itdon’tdonogood。Ifyoudon’twanttogotothebottomyou’llworkthatpump。
Don’tbesuchaclown。\"
Thefranticgeniuspaidnoattention。Hissister-in-lawleftthewheelandputherhandonhisshoulder。\"Please，Bennie，\"shepleaded。\"Pleasedoashesays。Heknows，and——\"
BennieD。pushedherbackwardwithsavageforce。\"Mindyourownbusiness，\"heyelledwithanoath。\"’Twasyourfoolishnessgotmeintothis。\"Then，leaningovertherail，hecalledshrilly，\"He——lp！I’mdrowning！Help！\"
Mrs。Bascomstaggeredbackagainstthewheel，whichSethhadseizedtheinstantshedesertedit。\"Oh！\"shesaid，\"youhurtme。\"
Herhusbandfreedanarmandputitabouther。\"Areyoumuchhurt，Emeline？\"heaskedsharply。
\"No——o。No，Seth。I——IguessIain’treallyhurtatall。\"
\"Good！Thenyoutakethiswheelandholdherjustso。That’sit。
ANDDON’TYOUDROPITAGAIN。I’llattendtothisfeller。\"
HiswiryfingerslockedthemselvesinBennieD。’sshirtcollar。
\"Iorderedyoutopump，\"saidSeth。\"Nowthen，youcomeandpump！\"
\"Letgo！\"screamedhiscaptive。\"Takeyourhandsoffme，or——\"
Thebackofhisheadstrikingthedeckputaperiodinthemiddleofhissentence。Thenextmomenthewasbeingdraggedbythecollartothelittlehandpumpamidships。
\"Pump！\"roaredthelightkeeper。\"Pump！orI’llbreakyoureverlastin’neck。Livelynow！\"
Thedazedgeniusrosetohisknees。\"What——\"hestammered。
\"Where——\"
\"Rightthereinfrontofyou。Lively，youlubber！\"
Awell-directedkickhelpedtofacilitateliveliness。
\"WhatshallIdo？\"wailedBennieD。，fumblingthepumpbrake。\"Howdoesitgo？\"
\"Upanddown——so。\"Sethjerkedhisvictim’sheadupanddown，bywayofillustration。\"Now，then，\"hecontinued，\"youpumptillI
sayquit，orI’ll——IswantomanI’llmakeasparetops’loutofyourhide！\"
Helefttheinventorworkingashehadnotworkedinthememoryofman，andstrodebacktothewheel。Mrs。Bascomwasclingingtothespokesfordearlife。
\"I——Iain’tdroppedit，Seth，\"shedeclared。\"TrulyIain’t。\"
\"Allright。Youcandropitnow。I’lltakeitmyself。Yousetdownandrest。\"
Hetookthewheelandshecollapsed，breathless，againsttherail。
Afteratimesheventuredtoaskaquestion。
\"Seth！\"shesaid，\"howdoyouknowwhichwaytosteer？\"
\"Idon’t，\"wasthereply。\"AllI’mtryin’todoiskeepheraforeit。Ifthisno’theastwindwouldhold，we’dbeallright，butit’sdyin’fast。Andthetidemustbeatflood，ifnotstartin’togoout。Withnowind，andnoanchor，andthekindofebbtidethere’llbeprettysoon——well，ifwedon’tdriftouttoseawe’llbelucky……Pump！pump！yousonofaroustabout。IfIhearyoustoppin’forasecondI’llcomefor’ardandmurderyou。\"
BennieD。，whohadventuredtorestforamoment，benthisachingbacktothetask。Wasthisman-slaughteringtyranthismild-
mannered，meekbrother-in-law，thecreaturewhomhehadbrow-beatensooftenandmanagedsoeffectively？Hecouldnotunderstand——buthepumped。
PerhapsSethdidnotunderstand，either；perhapshedidnottryto。
Yettheexplanationwassimpleandnatural。Thesea，theemergency，thedanger，hisowndeckbeneathhisfeet——thesewerelikeoldtimes，herewasasituationheknewhowtohandle。Heforgotthathewasalightkeeperabsentfromduty，forgotthatoneofhispassengerswasthewifehehadrunawayfrom，andtheotherhisbugbear，thedreadedandformidableBennieD。Heforgotallthisandwasagaintheableseaman，theTartarskipperwho，informerdays，madehiscrewsfear，respect，andswearbyhim。
Andhereveledinhisauthority。OnceMrs。Bascomrosetopeerovertherail。
\"Emeline，\"hesnapped，\"didn’tItellyoutosetdownandsetstill？
MustIgiveorderstwice？SETDOWN！\"
Emeline\"set。\"
Thewinddiedtofitfulgusts。Theschoonerbarelymoved。Thefogwasasthickasever。StillSethdidnotlosecourage。Whenthehousekeeperventuredtomurmurthatshewascertaintheywoulddrown，hereassuredher。
\"Keepyourpennantmast-high，Emeline，\"hesaidcheerfully。\"Weain’toutatsea，that’ssureandsartin。And，untilwegetinthebreakers，we’resafeenough。Theoldgalleakssome；sheain’tasdryasaGood-Templarprayermeetin’，butshe’safloat。AndwhenI’mafloatIain’tafraid，andyouneedn’tbe。\"
Sometimeafterthatheaskedaquestioninhisturn。
\"Emeline，\"hesaid，\"whatintheworldareyoudoin’here，onmyschooner？\"
\"Yourschooner，Seth？Yours？Isthisdreadful——isthisboatyours？\"
\"Yup。She’smine。Iboughtherjustforfunalongspellago，andI’vebeenfussin’withhereversince。ButIdiditFORfun；I
nevers’posedshe’dtakeacruise——likethis。Andwhatareyouand——
him——doin’onher？\"
Mrs。Bascomhesitated。\"Itwasallanaccident，Seth，\"sheexplained。\"Thishasbeenanawfulnight——andday。BennieandI
wasoutridin’together，andwetookthewrongroad。Wegotlost，andtherainwasawful。Wegotoutofthebuggytostandundersometreeswhere’twasdrier。Thehorsegotscaredatsomelimbsfallin’
andrunoff。Thenitwasmostdark，andwegotdowntotheshoreandsawthisboat。Therewa’n’tanywaterroundherthen。Bennie，heclimbedaboardandsaidthecabinwasdry，sowewentintoittowaitforthestormtoletup。Butitkeptgettin’worse。Whenwecameoutofthecabinitwasallfoglikethisandwatereverywhere。
Benniewasafraidtowade，forwecouldn’tseetheshore，sowewentbackintothecabinagain。Andthen，allatonce，therewasabumpthatknockedusbothsprawlin’。Thelanternwentout，andwhenwecomeondeckwewereafloat。Itwasterrible。Andthen——andthenyoucame，Seth，andsavedourlives。\"
\"Humph！Maybetheyain’tsavedyet……Emeline，wherewasyoudrivin’to？\"
\"Why，wewasdrivin’home，orthoughtwewas。\"
\"Home？\"
\"Yes，home——backtothebungalow。\"
\"Youwas？\"
\"Yes。\"
Apause。Then：\"Emeline，there’snouseyourtellin’mewhatain’tso。IknowmorethanyouthinkIdo，maybe。Ifyouwasdrivin’
homewhydidyoutaketheDenbororoad？\"
\"TheDenbororoad？Why，weonlywentonthataways。ThenweturnedoffonwhatwethoughtwastheroadtotheLights。Butitwa’n’t；itmusthavebeentheother，theonethatgoesalongbytheedgeoftheBackHarborandtheSlough，theonethat’shardlyeverused。Seth，\"indignantly，\"whatdoyoumeanbysayin’thatItoldyouwhatwa’n’tso？DoyouthinkIlie？\"
\"No。NomorethanyouthoughtIliedaboutthatChristycritter。\"
\"Seth，Iwasalwayssorryforthat。Iknewyoudidn’tlie。AtleastIoughttohaveknownyoudidn’t。I——\"
\"Wait。WhatdidyoutaketheDenbororoadatallfor？\"
\"Why——why——Well，Seth，I’lltellyou。Benniewantedtotalktome。Hehadcomeonpurposetoseeme，andhewantedmetodosomethin’that——that……Anyhow，he’dcometoseeme。Ididn’tknowhewascomin’。Ihadn’theardfromhimfortwoyears。ThatletterIgotthis——yesterdaymornin’wasfromhim，anditmostknockedmeover。\"
\"Youhadn’tHEARDfromhim？Ain’thebeenwritin’yourightalong？\"
\"No。Thefactisheleftmetwoyearsagowithoutevensayin’good-
by，and——andIthoughthehadgoneforgood。Buthehadn’t，\"withasigh，\"hehadn’t。Andhewantedtotalkwithme。That’swhyhetooktheotherroad——so’she’dhavemoretimetotalk，Is’pose。\"
\"Humph！Emeline，answermetrue：Wa’n’tyougoin’toDenborotoget——togetadivorcefromme？\"
\"Adivorce？AdivorcefromYOU？SethBascom，Ineverheardsuch——\"
Sherosefromherseatagainsttherail。
\"Setdown，\"orderedherhusbandsharply。\"Yousetdownandkeepdown。\"
Shestared，gasped，andresumedherseat。Sethgazedstraightaheadintotheblackness。Heswallowedonceortwice，andhishandstightenedonthespokesofthewheel。
\"That——thatfellerthere，\"noddinggrimlytowardthegroaningfigureatthepumps，\"toldmehimselfthathimandyouhadagreedtogetadivorcefromme——togetitrightoff。Hegivemetounderstandthatyouexpectedhim，’twasallsettledandthatwaswhyhe’dcometoEastboro。That’swhathetoldmethisafternoononthedepotplatform。\"
Mrs。Bascomagainsprangup。
\"Setdown！\"commandedSeth。
\"Iwon’t。\"
\"Yes，youwill。Setdown。\"Andshedid。
\"Seth，\"shecried，\"didhe——didBennietellyouthat？Didhe？Why，Ineverheardsucha——Inever！Seth，itain’ttrue，notawordofit。DidyouthinkI’dgetadivorce？Me？Aself-respectin’woman？
Andfromyou？\"
\"Youturnedmeadrift。\"
\"Ididn’t。Youturnedyourselfadrift。Iwasintrouble，boundbyapromiseIgivemydyin’husband，togivehisbrotherahomewhileIhadone。Ididn’twanttodoit；Ididn’twanthimwithus——
there，wherewe’dbeensohappy。ButIcouldn’tsayanything。I
couldn’tturnhimout。Andyouwouldn’t，you——\"
Shewasinterrupted。FrombeneaththeDaisyM。’skeelcamealong，scrapingnoise。Thelittleschoonershook，andthenlaystill。Thewaves，nolongerlarge，slappedhersides。
Mrs。Bascom，startled，utteredalittlescream。BennieD。，knockedtohisknees，roaredinfright。Sethalonewascalm。Nothing，atthatmoment，couldalarmorevensurprisehim。
\"Humph！\"heobserved，\"we’reagroundsomewheres。AndintheHarbor。
We’resafeandsoundnow，Ical’late。Emeline，gobelowwhereit’sdryandstaythere。Don’ttalk——go。Asforyou，\"leavingthewheelandstridingtowardthewearyinventor，\"youcanstoppumpin’——
unless，\"withagrimsmile，\"youlikeittoowelltoquit——andsetdownrightwhereyoube。Rightwhereyoube，Isaid！Don’tyoumovetillIsaytheword。WHENIsayit，jump！\"
Hewentforward，loweredthejib，andcoiledthehalliards。Then，lanterninhand，heseatedhimselfinthebows。Afteratimehefilledhispipe，lititbytheaidofthelantern，andsmoked。
TherewassilenceaboardtheDaisyM。
Thewinddiedawayaltogether。Thefoggraduallydisappeared。Fromsomewherenotfarawayachurchclockstruckthehour。Sethhearditandsmiled。TurninghisheadhesawinthedistancetheTwin-
Lightsburningsteadily。Hesmiledagain。
Gradually，slowly，themorningcame。Thelastremnantoflow-
hangingmistdriftedaway。Beforethebowsofthestrandedschoonerappearedaflatshorewitharoad，stillpartiallycoveredbytherecedingtide，alongitsborder。Fishhousesandanchoreddoriesbecamevisible。Behindthemwerehills，andoverthemroofsandtreesandsteeples。
Astepsoundedbehindthewatcherinthebows。Mrs。Bascomwasathiselbow。
\"Why，Seth！\"shecried，\"why，Seth！it’sEastboro，ain’tit？We’reclosetoEastboro。\"
Sethnodded。\"It’sEastboro，\"hesaid。\"Ical’latedwemustbethereorthereabouts。Withthatno’theastbreezetohelpuswecouldn’tdomuchelsebutfetchupattheinnerendoftheBackHarbor。\"
Shelaidherhandtimidlyonhisarm。
\"Seth，\"shewhispered，\"whatshouldwehavedonewithoutyou？Yousavedourlives。\"
Heswungaboutandfacedher。\"Emeline，\"hesaid，\"we’vebothbeenawfulfools。I’vebeenthebiggestone，Iguess。ButI’velearnedmylesson——I’vesworeoff——ItoldyouI’dproveIwasaman。DoyouthinkI’vebeenonetonight？\"
\"Seth！\"
\"Well，doyou？Or，\"withagesturetowardthe\"genius\"whowasbeginningtotakeaninterestinhissurroundings，\"doyoulikethatkindbetter？\"
\"Seth，\"reproachfully，\"Ineverlikedhimbetter。Ifyouhad——\"
Shewasinterruptedbyherbrother-in-law，whocameswaggeringtowardthem。Withthesightoflandandsafety，BennieD。’scouragereturned；also，hisoldassurance。
\"Humph！\"heobserved。\"Well，sister，wearesafe，Ireallybelieve。
Inspiteof，\"withaglareatthelightkeeper，\"thisperson’sinsanerecklessnessandbrutality。NowIwilltakeyouashoreandoutofhispresence。\"
Sethrosetohisfeet。
\"Didn’tItellyou，\"hedemanded，\"nottomovetillIsaidtheword？
Emeline，stayrighthere。\"
BennieD。staredatthespeaker；thenathissister-in-law。
\"Sister，\"hecried，ingrowingalarm，\"sister，come！come！we’regoingashore，Itellyou。Whatareyouwaitingfor？\"
Sethputhisarmaboutthelady。
\"Sheisgoin’ashore，\"hesaid。\"Butshe’sgoin’withme，andshe’sgoin’tostaywithme。Ain’tyou，Emeline？\"
Theladylookedupintohisfaceandthendownagain。\"Ifyouwantme，Seth，\"shesaid。
BennieD。sprangforward。\"Emeline，\"heshrieked，\"whatdoyoumean？Areyougoingtoleaveme？Haveyouforgotten——\"
\"Sheain’tforgotnothin’，\"brokeinSeth。\"ButYOU’REforgettin’
whatItoldyou。Willyougoaftthereandsetdown，orshallI
makeyou？\"
\"But——but，Emeline——sister——haveyouforgottenyourpromisetoyourdyinghusband？Tomybrother？Youpromisedtogivemeahomeaslongasyouownedone。\"
ThenSethplayedhistrump。
\"Shedon’townanyhome，\"hedeclaredtriumphantly。\"Shesoldherhouse，andsheain’tgotanyhome——excepttheoneI’mgoin’togiveher。AndifyoueverdaretoshowyourheadinsideofTHAT，I’ll——
I’llheaveyouoverbothlights。IfyouthinkI’mfoolin’，justtryandsee。Nowthen，Emeline。\"
And，withhiswifeinhisarms，SethAtkins——SethAtkinsBascom——
CAPTAINSethAtkinsBascom——swungovertherailandwadedtoland。
CHAPTERXVI
THEEBBTIDE
\"JohnBrown，\"hislongnight’svigilover，extinguishedthelightsinthetwotowers，descendedtheironstairs，andwalkedacrosstheyardintothekitchen。Hisfirstmove，afterenteringthehouse，wastoringthetelephonebellandendeavortocallEastboro。HewasanxiousconcerningAtkins。Sethhadnotreturned，andthesubstituteassistantwascertainthatsomeaccidentmusthavebefallenhim。Thestormhadbeensevere，butitwouldtakemorethanweathertokeepthelightkeeperfromhispost；ifhewasallrighthewouldhavemanagedtoreturnsomehow。
Brownrangthebelltimeandtimeagain，butgotnoresponse。Thestormhadwreckedthewires，thatwascertain，andthatmeansofcommunicationwascutoff。Hekindledthefireintherangeandtriedtoforgethisanxietybypreparingbreakfast。Whenitwaspreparedhewaitedawhileandthensatdowntoalonelymeal。Buthehadnoappetite，and，afterdallyingwiththefoodonhisplate，gaveitupandwentoutsidetolookabouthim。
Thefirstthinghelookedatwastheroadfromthevillage。Nosignoflifeinthatdirectionasfarashecouldsee。Thenhelookedatthebungalow。Earlyasitwas，athreadofbluesmokewasascendingfromthechimney。Didthatmeanthatthehousekeeperhadreturned？
OrhadRuthGrahambeenaloneallthroughthemiserablenight？
Underordinarycircumstanceshewouldhavegoneoverandaskedifallwaswell。Hewouldhavedonethat，evenifSethwereathome——
hewaspastthepointwherethelightkeeperortheircompactcouldhavepreventedhim——buthecouldnotmustercouragetogonow。Shemusthavefoundthenotehehadtuckedunderthedoor，andhewasafraidtohearheranswer。Ifitshouldbeno，then——well，thenhedidnotcarewhatbecameofhim。
Hewatchedthebungalowforatime，hopingthatshemightcomeout——
thathemightatleastseeher——butthedoordidnotopen。Auguringallsortsofdismalthingsfromthis，hemopedgloomilybacktothekitchen。Hewastiredandhadnotsleptforthirtyhours，buthefeltnodesireforbed。HecouldnotgotobedanywayuntilAtkinsreturned——andhedidnotwantto。
Hesatdowninachairandidlypickeduponeofapileofnewspaperslyinginthecorner。TheyweretheNewYorkandBostonpaperswhichthegroceryboyhadbroughtoverfromEastboro，withthemail，thepreviousday。Sethhadnotevenlookedatthem，andBrown，whoseldomorneverreadnewspapers，foundthathecouldnotdosonow。Hetossedthemonthetableandoncemorewentoutofdoors。Afteranotherglanceatthebungalow，hewalkedtotheedgeofthebluffandlookedover。
Hewasastonishedtoseehowfarthetidehadriseninthenight。
Thelineofseaweedanddriftmarkingitshighestpointwaswellupthebank。Nowtheebbwasfoamingpasttheendofthewharf。Helookedforthelobstercar，whichshouldhavebeenfloatingatitsmoorings，butcouldnotseeit。Eitheritwasunderthewharforithadbeensweptawayandwasgone。Andoneofthedorieswasgone，too。No，thereitwas，acrossthecove，highanddryonthebeach。
Ifsomuchdamagewasvisiblefromwherehestood，itwasprobablethatacloserexaminationmightshowevenmore。Hereenteredthekitchen，tooktheboathousekeyfromitsnail——thekeytoSeth’swonderfulpurchase，thespringlockwhichwastokeepoutthievesandhadsofarbeenofnouseexceptasatrouble-maker——andstartedforthewharf。Ashepassedthetablehepickedupthebundleofnewspapersandtookthemwithhim。Theboathousewastherepositoryforrubbish，oldpapersandmagazinesincluded，andthesemightaswellbeaddedtotheheap。Atkinshadnotreadthisparticularlot，butthesubstituteassistantdidnotthinkofthis。
Thelobstercarwasnotunderthewharf。Theropeswhichhadmooreditwerebroken，andthecarwasgone。Splintersanddentsinthepilesshowedwhereithadbangedandthumpedinthegraspofthetidebeforebreakingloose。And，lyingflatonthewharfandpeeringunderit，itseemedtohimthatthepilesthemselveswereatrifleaslant；thatthewholewharfhadsettleddownontheouterside。
Heroseandwasabouttogofurtheroutforanotherexamination，whenhisfootstruckthepileofpapershehadbroughtwithhim。Hepickedthemup，and，unlockingtheboathousedoor——itstuckandrequiredconsiderableefforttoopenit——enteredthebuilding，tossedthepapersonthefloor，andturnedtogoout。Beforehecoulddosothedoorswungshutwithabangandaclick。
Atfirsthedidnotrealizewhattheclickmeant。Notuntilhetriedtoopenitdidheunderstand。Thesettlingofthewharfhadthrownthedooranditsframeoutoftheperpendicular。Thatwaswhyitstuckandopenedwithsuchreluctance。Whenheopenedit，hehad，sotospeak，pushedituphill。Itsownweighthadswungitback，andthespringlock——inwhichhehadleftthekey——hadworkedexactlyasthecircularofdirectionsdeclareditwoulddo。Hewasaprisonerinthatboathouse。
Eventhenhedidnotfullygraspthesituation。Heutteredanexclamationofimpatienceandtuggedatthedoor；butitwasheavy，jammedtightinitsframe，andthelockwasnewandstrong。Hemightaswellhavetriedtopullupthewharf。
Afteraminuteoffruitlessefforthegaveuptheattemptonthedoorandmovedaboutthelittlebuilding，seekingotheravenuesofescape。Theonlywindowwasanarrowaffair，highupattheback，hungonhingesandfastenedwithahookandstaple。Heclimbeduponthefishnetsandemptyboxes，gotthewindowopen，andthrusthisheadandoneshoulderthroughtheopening。That，however，wasasfarashecouldgo。Adwarfmighthavesqueezedthroughthatwindow，butnotanex-varsityathletelikeRussellBrooksorahuskylongshoremanlike\"JohnBrown。\"Itwasattheback，facingthemouthofthecreekandthesea，andaffordedabeautifulmarineview，butthatwasall。Hedroppedbackonthefishnetsandaudiblyexpressedhisopinionofthelockandthemanwhohadboughtit。
Thenhetriedthedooragain，againgaveitup，andsatdownonthefishnetstothink。Thinkingwasunsatisfactoryandprovoking。Hegavethatup，also，and，seeingaknotholeinoneoftheboardsinthelandwardsideofhisjail，kneltandappliedhiseyetotheaperture。Hisonlyhopeoffreedom，apparently，layinthearrivalhomeofthelightkeeper。IfSethhadarrivedhecouldshoutthroughthatknotholeandpossiblybeheard。
Theknothole，however，commandedaview，notofthelighthousebuildings，butofthecoveandthebungalow。Thebungalow！RuthGraham！Suddenly，andwithashock，flashedtohismindthethoughtthathisimprisonment，ifatallprolonged，waslikelytobe，notajoke，butthemostseriouscatastropheofhislife。
ForRuthGrahamwasgoingtoleavethebungalowandEastborothatveryday。Hehadbeggedtoseeheroncemore，andthisdaywashislastchance。Hehadwrittenher，pleadingtoseeherandreceivehisanswer。Ifhedidnotseeher，ifSethdidnotreturnbeforelongandheremainedwherehewas，aprisonerandinvisible，thelastchancewasgone。Ruthwouldbelievehehadrepentedofhisdeclarationasembodiedinthefatefulnote，andhadfledfromher。
Shehadintimatedthathewasacowardinnotseeinghisfianceeandtellingherthetruth。Shedidnotlikehiswritingthatothergirlandrunningaway。Nowshewouldbelievethecowardicewasinherent，becausehehadwrittenher，also——andhadrunaway。Horrible！
Throughtheknotholehesentayellforrescue。Anotherandanother。Theywereunheard——atleast，nooneemergedfromthebungalow。Hesprangtohisfeetandmadeanothercircleoftheinterioroftheboathouse。Thenhesankdownupontheheapofnetsandagaintriedtothink。Hemustgetout。Hemust——somehow！
Themorningsunshinestreamedthroughthelittlewindowandfelldirectlyuponthepileofnewspapershehadbroughtfromthekitchenandthrownonthefloor。Hisglancechancedtorestforaninstantuponthetopmostpaperofthepile。ItwasaNewYorkjournalwhichdevotestwoofitsinsidepagestohappeningsinsociety。Whenhethrewitdownithadunfoldedsothatoneofthesepageslayuppermost。Absently，scarcelyrealizingthathewasdoingso，thesubstituteassistantreadasfollows：
\"EngagementinHighLifeAnnounced。AnotherAmericanGirltoWedaNobleman。MissAnnGardnerDavidsontobecometheBaronessHardacre。\"
Withashouthefelluponhisknees，seizedthepaperandreadon：
\"AnothercontemplatedmatrimonialalliancebetweenoneofNewYork’sfairestdaughtersandascionoftheEnglishnobilitywasmadepublicyesterday。MissAnnGardnerDavidson，ofthiscity，thebreakingofwhoseengagementtoRussellAgnewBrooks，sonofGeorgeAgnewBrooks，thewealthycottonbroker，wasthesensationoftheearlyspring，istomarryHerbertAinsworth-Ainsworth，BaronHardacre，ofHardacreTowers，SurreyonKent，England。ItwassaidthattheyoungladybrokeoffherformerengagementwithYoungBrooksbecauseof——\"
Theprisonerintheboathousereadnofurther。RuthGrahamhadsaidtohimthedaybeforethat，inheropinion，hehadtreatedAnnDavidsonunfairly。Heshouldhavegonetoherandtoldherofhisquarrelwithhisfather。AlthoughhedidnotcareforAnn，shemightcareforhim。Mightcareenoughtowaitand……Wait？
Why，shecaredsolittlethat，withinafewmonths，shewasreadytomarryanotherman。And，ifheowedheranydebtofhonor，nomatterhowfarfetchedandfantastic，itwascancelednow。Hewasabsolutelyfree。Andhehadbeenrightallthetime。Hecouldproveit。HewouldshowRuthGrahamthatpaperand……
Hisjawsettight，andherosefromtheheapoffishnetswiththefoldedpaperclinchedlikeaclubinhishand。Hewasgoingtogetoutofthatboathouseifhehadtobuttaholethroughitsboardswithhishead。
Oncemoreheclimbedtothewindowandmadeanattempttosqueezethrough。Itwasfutile，ofcourse，butthistimeitseemedtohimthatthesillandtheplanktowhichitwasattachedgavealittle。
Heputthepaperbetweenhisteeth，seizedthesillwithbothhands，bracedhisfeetagainstabeambelow，andjerkedwithallhisstrength。Once——twice——threetimes！Itwasgiving！Itwaspullingloose！Helandedonhisbackuponthenets，sillandafootofboardinginhishands。Inexactlyfiveseconds，thefoldednewspaperjammedinhistrouserspocket，heswungthroughtheopeninganddroppedtothenarrowspacebetweenthebuildingandtheendofthewharf。
Thespacewasabaresixincheswide。Ashestruck，hisankleturnedunderhim，hestaggered，triedwildlytoregainhisbalance，andfell。Ashefellhecaughtaglimpseofablue-cladfigureatthetopofthebluffbeforethebungalow。Thenhewentunderwithasplash，andtheeagertidehadhiminitsgrasp。
Whenhecametothesurfaceandshookthewaterfromhiseyes，hewasalreadysomedistancefromthewharf。This，anindicationoftheforceofthetide，shouldhavecausedhimtorealizehisdangerinstantly。Butitdidnot。Hismindwasintentupontheaccomplishmentofonething，namely，theprovingtoRuthGraham，bymeansoftheiteminthepaper，thathewasnolongerunderanypossibleobligationtotheDavidsongirl。Therefore，hissolefeeling，ashecamesputteringtothetopofthewater，wasdisgustathisownclumsiness。Itwaswhenhetriedtoturnandswimbacktothewharfthathegraspedthesituationasitwas。Hecouldnotswimagainstthattide。
Therewasnotimetoconsiderwhatwasbesttodo。Thebreakerswereonlyfivehundredyardsoff，andifhewishedtolivehemustkeepoutoftheirclutches。Hebegantoswimdiagonallyacrossthecurrent，puttingallhisstrengthintoeachstroke。Butforeveryfootofprogresstowardthecalmerwaterhewasborneayardtowardthebreakers。
Thetidebubbledandgurgledabouthim。Miniaturewhirlpoolstuggedathislegs，pullinghimunder。Hefoughtnobly，settinghisteethandswearinginwardlythathewouldmakeit，hewouldnotgiveup，hewouldnotdrown。Buttheedgeofthetideripwasalongwayoff，andhewasgrowingtiredalready。Anotherwhirlpoolsuckedhimdown，andwhenheroseheshoutedforhelp。Itwasaninstinctive，unreasoningappeal，almostsuretobeuseless，forwhocouldhearhim？——butheshouted，nevertheless。
Andtheshoutwasanswered。Fromsomewherebehindhim——along，longdistance，soitseemedtohim——cametheclearcallinawoman’svoice。
\"Allright！I’mcoming。Keepon，justasyouare。\"
Hekepton，ortriedto。Heswam——andswam——andswam。Hewentunder，rose，wentunderagain，foughthiswayup，andkeptonswimming。Throughthegurgleandhissofthewater，soundingdullyabovethehumminginhisearsandtheroarofthebloodinhistiredbrain，cametheclearvoiceagain：
\"Steadynow！Justasyouare！onemorestroke！Nowonemore！
Quick！Quick！Now！Canyougetaboard？\"
Thewet，redsideofadory’sbowpushedpasthislaboringshoulder。
Ahandclutchedhisshirtcollar。Hereachedupandgraspedtheboat’sgunwale，hungonwithallhisweight，threwonelegovertheedge，andtumbledintothedory’sbottom。
\"Thanks，\"hepanted，hiseyesshut。\"That——was——abouttheclosestcallI——everhad。Hey？Why！RUTH！\"
Shewaspanting，also，butshewasnotlookingathim。Shewasrowingwithallhermight，andgazingfearfullyoverhershoulder。
\"Areyoustrongenoughtohelpmerow？\"sheaskedbreathlessly。\"Wemustheadherawayfromhere，outofthistide。AndI’mafraidthatIcan’tdoitalone。\"
Heraisedhisheadandlookedovertherail。Thebreakerswerealarminglyclose。Hescrambledtothethwart，pushedherasideandseizedtheoars。Sheresisted。
\"Onlyone，\"shegasped。\"Icanmanagetheother。\"
So，eachwithanoar，theyfoughtthetide，andwon——butbythenarrowestofmargins。Thedoryedgedintostillerandshoalerwater，creptoutoftheeddyingchannelovertheflatwherethedepthwasbutascantfourfeet，turnedalmostbyinches，and，atlast，sliduponthesandybeachbelowthebungalow。Thegirlsatbowedoverthehandleofheroar，herbreastheaving。Shesaidnothing。Hercompanionlikewisesaidnothing。Staggering，hesteppedovertheside，walkedafewfeetupthebeach，andthentumbledinanunconsciousheaponthesand。
Hewasnotunconsciouslong，beingahealthyandrobustyoungfellow。Hisfirstthought，uponopeninghiseyes，wasthathemustclosethemagainasquicklyaspossiblebecausehewantedthedreamtocontinue。Toliewithone’sheadinthelapofanangel，whilethatangelstrokesyourforeheadandcriesoveryouandbegsyouforhersakenottodie，istoopreciousadelusiontolose。Buttheopeningofone’seyesisamistakeundersuchcircumstances，andhehadmadeit。Theangel’snextremarkwasentirelyunromanticandpractical。
\"Areyoubetter？\"sheasked。\"You’reallrightnow，aren’tyou？\"
Herpatient’sreplywasalsoaquestion，andirrelevant。
\"DOyoucare？\"heaskedfaintly。
\"Areyoubetter？\"sheaskedinreturn。
\"Didyougetmynote？ThenoteIputunderthedoor？\"
\"Answerme。Areyouallrightagain？\"
\"YouanswerME。Didyougetmynote？\"
\"Yes……Don’ttrytogetup。You’renotstrongenoughyet。
YoumustwaitherewhileIgoandgetyousome——\"
\"Don’tgo！\"Healmostshoutedit。\"If——ifyoudoI’ll——I’ll——I
thinkI’mgoingtofaintagain。\"
\"Oh，no，you’renot。AndImustgoandgetyousomebrandyorsomething。Stayjustwhereyouare。\"
\"RuthGraham，ifyougoawaynow，I’llgowithyou，ifIhavetocrawl。MaybeIcan’twalk，butIswearI’llcrawlafteryouonmyhandsandkneesunlessyouanswermyquestion。DOyoucareenoughformetowait？\"
Shelookedoutatthelittlebay，atthenarrow，wickedtiderace，atthebreakersbeyond。Thenshelookeddownagainathim。
\"Yes，\"shesaid……\"OH，areyougoingtofaintagain？Don’t！
Pleasedon’t！\"
RussellAgnewBrooks，thelate\"JohnBrown，\"openedhiseyes。\"Iamnotgoingtofaint，\"heobserved。\"IwasmerelytryingtorealizethatIwasfullyconscious。\"
Sometimeafterthis——hoursandminutesdonotcountinparadise——herememberedtheiteminthepaper。
\"ByGeorge！\"heexclaimed，\"Ihadsomethingtoshowyou。I’mafraidI’velostit。Oh，noIhereitis。\"
HeextractedfromhistrouserspocketthewatersoakedlumpthathadbeentheNewYorknewspaper。Thepagecontainingthesensationalannouncementoftheengagementinhighlifewasquiteundecipherable。
Beingontheoutsideofthefoldedpaper，ithadrubbedtoapulpyblur。However，hetoldheraboutit，andsheagreedthathisjudgmentofthecharacterofthefutureBaronessHardacrehadbeenabsolutelycorrect。
\"Youwereverywise，\"shesaidsagely。
\"NotsowiseasI’vebecomesince，\"heassertedwithdecision。Thenheadded，witharatherruefulsmile，\"I’mafraid，dear，peoplewon’tsayasmuchforyou，whentheyknow。\"
\"I’msatisfied。\"
\"Youmayhavetowaitallthoseyears——andyears——youspokeof。\"
\"Iwill。\"
Butshedidnothaveto。For，atthatmoment，themiracleofwisdombesidehersatupandpointedtothewetnewspaperlyingonthesandatherfeet。
\"Hasmyhappinessaffectedmywits？\"hedemanded。\"Ordoessaltwaterbringondelusions？Aren’tthosemyinitials？\"
Hewaspointingtoaparagraphinthe\"Personals\"columnoftheNewYorkpaper。This，beingononeoftheinnerpages，hadremainedcomparativelydryandcouldberead。Theparticular\"Personal\"towhichhepointedwasthis：
\"R。A。B。\"Whereveryouare。ThisistocertifythatIherebyacknowledgethatyouhavebeenabsolutelycorrectintheA。D。
matter；witnessnewselsewhere。Iwasafool，andIapologizepublicly。IncidentallyIneedaheadlikeyoursinmybusiness。
Comeback。Partnershipawaitingyou。Comeback；andmarryanybodyornobodyasyouseefit。
\"FATHER。\"
CHAPTERXVII
WOMAN-HATERS
\"Butwhat，\"askedRuth，astheyenteredthebungalowtogether，\"hashappenedtoMr。Atkins，doyouthink？Yousayhewentawayyesterdaynoonandyouhaven’tseenhimorevenheardfromhimsince。Ishouldthinkhewouldbeafraidtoleavethelightsforsolongatime。Hasheeverdoneitbefore？\"
\"No。AndI’mcertainhewouldnothavedoneitthistimeofhisownaccord。Ifhecouldhavegottenbacklastnighthewould，stormornostorm。\"
\"Butlastnightwasprettybad。And，\"quiteseriously，\"ofcourseheknewthatyouwerehere，andsoeverythingwouldbeallright。\"
\"Oh，certainly，\"withsarcasm，\"hewouldknowthat，ofcourse。SolongasIamondeck，whycomebackatall？I’mafraidAtkinsdoesn’tshareyourfaithinmytranscendentability，dear。\"
\"Well，\"MissGrahamtossedherhead，\"Iimagineheknewhecouldtrustyoutoattendtohisoldlighthouses。\"
\"Perhaps。Ifso，hisfaithhasdevelopedwonderfully。Heneverhastrustedmeeventolightthelanterns。No，I’mafraidsomethinghashappened——someaccident。IfthetelephonewasinworkingorderI
couldsoonfindout。Asitis，Icanonlywaitandtrynottoworry。Bytheway，isyourhousekeeper——Mrs。What’s-her-name——allsereneafterherwetafternoon？Whendidshereturn？\"
\"Shehasn’treturned。Iexpectedherlastevening——shesaidshewouldbebackbeforedark——butshedidn’tcome。Thatdidn’ttroubleme；thestormwassoseverethatIsupposeshestayedinthevillageovernight。\"
\"Soyouwerealoneallthroughthegale。Iwonderedifyouwere；I
wastremendouslyanxiousaboutyou。Andyouweren’tafraid？Didyousleep？\"
\"Notmuch。Yousee，\"shesmiledoddly，\"IreceivedaletterbeforeIretired，anditwassuchanimportant——andsurprising——
communicationthatIcouldn’tgotosleepatonce。\"
\"Aletter？Aletterlastnight？Who——What？Youdon’tmeanmyletter？TheoneIputunderyourdoor？Youdidn’tgetTHATlastnight！\"
\"Oh，yes，Idid。\"
\"Buthow？Thebungalowwasasdarkasatomb。Therewasn’talightanywhere。ImadesureofthatbeforeIcameover。\"
\"Iknow。Iputthelightout，butIwassittingbythewindowinthedark，lookingoutatthestorm。ThenIsawsomeonecomingupthehill，anditwasyou。\"
\"Thenyousawmepushitunderthedoor？\"
\"Yes。Whatmadeyoustayonthestepsolongafteryouhadpusheditunder？\"
\"Me？……Oh，\"hastily，\"Iwantedtomakesureitwas——er——under。
Andyoufounditandreadit——then？\"
\"Ofcourse。Icouldn’timaginewhatitcouldbe，andIwascurious，naturally。\"
\"Ruth！\"
\"Iwas。\"
\"Nonsense！Youknewwhatitmustbe。Surelyyoudid。Now，truly，didn’tyou？Didn’tyou，dear？\"
\"WhyshouldI？……Oh，yoursleeveiswet。You’resoakingwetfromheadtofoot。\"
\"Well，Ipresumethatwastobeexpected。Thiswaterouthereisremarkablydamp，youknow，andIwasinitforsometime。Ishouldhavebeeninityetifithadn’tbeenforyou。\"
\"Don’t！\"withashudder，\"don’tspeakofit。WhenIsawyoufallintothattideI……Butthere！youmustn’tstayhereanothermoment。Gohomeandputondrythings。Goatonce！\"
\"Drythingsbehanged！I’mgoingtostayrighthere——andlookatyou。\"
\"You’renot。Besides，Iamwet，too。AndIhaven’thadmybreakfast。\"
\"Haven’tyou？NeitherhaveI。\"Heforgotthathehadattemptedtohaveone。\"ButIdon’tcare，\"headdedrecklessly。Then，withaflashofinspiration，\"Whycan’twebreakfasttogether？Inviteme，please。\"
\"No，Ishallnot。Atleast，notuntilyougobackandchangeyourclothes。\"
\"Tohearistoobey。’Igo，butIreturn，’asthefellowintheplayobserves。I’llbebackinjustfifteenminutes。\"
Hewasbackintwelve，and，astomakethelongdetouraboutthemarsheswould，hefeltthen，beawickedwasteoftimeandthemarshesthemselveswerecoveredwithpuddlesleftbythetide，his\"drythings\"werefarfromdrywhenhearrived。Butshedidnotnotice，andhewastoohappytocare，soitwasallright。Theygotbreakfasttogether，andifthecoffeehadboiledtoolongandtheeggsnotlongenough，thatwasallright，also。
Theysatatoppositesidesofthelittletable，andheneededfrequentremindingthateatingwassupposedtobethebusinessonhand。TheytalkedofhisfatherandofAnnDavidson——whomRuthdeclaredwastobepitied——ofthewonderfulcoincidencethatthatparticularpaper，theonecontainingthe\"Personal\"andthe\"EngagementinHighLife\"item，shouldhavebeenontopofthepileintheboathouse，and——ofotherthings。Occasionallythetalklapsed，andthesubstituteassistantmerelylooked，lookedandsmiledvacuously。WhenthishappenedMissGrahamsmiled，also，andblushed。Neitherofthemthoughtoflookingoutofthewindow。
Iftheyhadnotbeensopreoccupied，iftheyhadlookedoutofthatwindow，theywouldhaveseenahorseandbuggyapproachingoverthedunes。SethandMrs。Bascomwereonthebuggyseat，andthelightkeeperwasdrivingwithonehand。TheequipagehadbeenhiredattheEastboroliverystable。Joshuawasundergoingrepairsandenjoyingamuch-neededrestattheblacksmithshopinthevillage。
Astheydrewnearthelights，Sethsighedcontentedly。
\"Well，Emeline，\"heobserved，\"herewebe，safeandsound。Homeagain！Yes，sir，byjiminycrimps，HOME！Andyouain’tgoin’toBostonto-day，neither。\"
Mrs。Bascom，thepractical，movedtowardtheedgeoftheseat。
\"Takeyourarmaway，Seth，\"shecautioned。\"They’llseeyou。\"
\"Who’llseeme？WhatdoIcarewhoseesme？Ain’tamangotarighttoputhisarmaroundhisownwife，I’dliketoknow？\"
\"Humph！Well，allright。Icanstanditifyoucan。OnlyI
cal’lateyouryoungBrownmanisinforsomethin’ofashock，that’sall。HEdon’tknowthatI’myourwife。\"
Sethremovedhisarm。Hisexpressionchanged。
\"That’sso，\"headmitted。\"Hewillbesetbackthreeorfourrows，won’the？\"
\"Ishouldn’twonder。He’llthinkyourwoman-hatehashadarelapse，Iguess。\"
Thelightkeeperlookedtroubled；thenhenoddedgrimly。
\"Hisain’twhatyou’dcalladesp’ratecase，\"hedeclared。\"Judgin’
bywhatI’veseeninthecoveforthelastmonth，he’sgettin’
betterofitfast。Iain’tnoworsethanheis，bytime！……
Wonderwhereheis！Thisplacelooksdeader’nthedolefultombs。\"
Hehitchedthehorsetothebackfenceandassistedhiswifetoalightfromthebuggy。Theyenteredthekitchen。Noonewasthere，andSeth’shurriedsearchoftheotherroomsresultedinfindingthemuntenantedlikewise。
\"Maybehe’soutinoneofthelights，\"hesaid。\"waithere，Emeline，andI’llgosee。\"
Butshewouldnotwait。\"I’mgoin’rightovertothebungalow，\"shesaid。\"I’mworriedaboutMissRuth。Shewasalonealllastnight，andIsha’n’tresteasytillIknownothin’shappenedtoher。Youcancomewhenyoufindyouryoungman。Youandmehavegotsomethin’totell’em，andwemightaswellgetthetellin’doneassoonaspossible。Nothin’severgainedbyputtingoffameanjob。
Unless，ofcourse，\"sheadded，lookingathimoutofthecornersofhereyes，\"youwanttobackout，Seth。Itain’ttoolateevennow，youknow。\"
Hestaredather。\"Backout！\"herepeated；\"backout！EmelineBascom，whatareyoutalkin’about？Yougotothatbungalowandgoinahurry。Don’tstoptotalk！go！Who’srunnin’thiscraft？
Who’sthemaninthisfamily——youorme？\"
Shelaughed。\"Youseemtobe，Seth，\"sheanswered，\"justnow。\"
\"Iam。I’vebeenaconsider’blespelllearnin’howtobe，butI’velearned。Youtrotrightalong。\"
Brownwasinneitherofthelighttowers，andSethbegantobeworriedabouthim。Hedescendedtotheyardandstoodthere，wonderingwhatonearthcouldhavehappened。Then，lookingacrossthecove，hebecameawarethathiswifewasstandingontheedgeofthebluff，makingsignalswithbothhands。
Heopenedhismouthtoshoutaquestion，butshefranticallysignaledforsilence。Thenshebeckoned。Herandownthepathatfullspeed。Shemethimattheothersideofthecove。
\"Comehere！\"shewhispered。\"Don’tsayaword，butjustcome——andlook。\"
Hefollowedher，creptclosetothebungalowwindowandpeepedin。
Hishelper，\"JohnBrown，\"andMissRuthGrahamwereseatedatthetable。Alsothesubstituteassistantwasleaningacrossthattablewiththeyounglady’shandinhis；thepairwereentirelyobliviousofanythingintheworldexcepteachother。
Afewmomentslaterathunderousknockshookthebungalowdoor。Theknockwasnotansweredimmediately；therefore，Sethopenedthedoorhimself。MissGrahamandthelightkeeper’shelperwerestandingsomedistanceapart；theygazedspeechlesslyatthecouplewhonowenteredtheroom。
\"Well，\"observedSeth，withsarcasm，\"anybodygotanythingtosay？
You，\"turningtotheyoungman，\"seemstomeyououghttosaySOMETHIN’。Considerin’alittleagreementyouandmehad，IshouldimagineIwasentitledtosometriflin’explanation。Whatareyoudoin’overhere——withHER？Brown——\"
Theyounggentlemancametohimselfwithastart。HewalkedacrosstowhereMissGrahamwasstanding，andoncemoretookherhand。
\"MynameisnotBrown，\"hesaidfirmly。\"ItisBrooks；andthisistheyoungladyIamtomarry。\"
Henaturallyexpectedhissuperiortobesurprised。Asamatteroffact，hewasthesurprisedparty。Sethreachedout，drewthebungalowhousekeepertowardhim，andputhisarmaboutherwaist。
Thenhesmiled；andthesmilewasexpressiveofpride，triumph，andsatisfactionabsolute。
\"ATKINS！\"gaspedBrooks。
\"Mynameain’tAtkins，\"wastheastonishingreply；\"it’sBascom。
Andthis，\"indicatingbyatighteningofhisarmtheblushingpersonathisside，\"istheladyImarriedoverfiveyearago。\"
Afterthestorieshadbeentold，afterbothsideshadtoldtheirsandexplainedandbeenexclaimedoverandcongratulated，aftertheverylastquestionhadbeenaskedandanswered，Brown——orBrooks——
askedonemore。
\"Butthisotherfellow，\"hequeried，\"thisbrother-in-law——ByGeorge，itisperfectlymarvelous，thiswholebusiness！——whereishe？Whathasbecomeofhim？\"
Sethchuckled。\"BennieD。？\"hesaid。\"Well，BennieD。isleavin’
Eastboroonthenoontrain。Ipaidhisfareandgivehimfiftydollarstoboot。He’sgoin’somewhere，butheain’tsartinwhere。
Ifyouaskedme，Ishouldsaythat，intheend，he’dmostlikelyhavetogowherehe’sneverbeenafore，sofar’sIeverheard——
that’stowork。Now——seein’astheimportantbusinesshasbeentalkedoverandsettled——maybeyou’lltellmeaboutthelights，andhowyougotalonglastnight。\"
Butthelighthousesubjectwasdestinedtobepostponedforafewminutes。ThepersoninwhosecaretheLightshadbeenleftduringthepasttwentyhoursorsolookedatthespeaker，thenattheotherpersonspresent，andsuddenlybegantolaugh。
\"Whatareyoulaughingat？\"askedMissGraham。\"Why，Russell，whatisit？\"
RussellAgnewBrooks，alias\"JohnBrown，\"ex-substituteassistantatEastboroTwin-Lights，sankintoachair，shakingfromheadtoheel。
\"Itishysterics，\"criedRuth，hasteningtohisside。\"Nowonder，poordear，consideringwhathehasbeenthrough。Hush，Russell！
don’t，youfrightenme。WhatISit？\"
Herfiancewavedareassuringhand。\"It——it’sallright，\"hegasped。\"Iwasjustlaughingat……Oh，\"pointinganunsteadyfingeratthelightkeeper，\"askhim；heknows。\"
\"Askhim？\"repeatedthebewilderedyounglady。\"Why，Mr。Atkins——
Bascom，Imean——what……\"
AndthenSethbegantolaugh。Leaningagainstthedoorpost，heatfirstchuckledandthenroared。
\"Seth！\"criedhiswife。\"Seth，youoldidiot！Why，Ineverseetwosuchloonsinmylife！Seth，answerme！Whatareyoutwolaughin’
at？\"
SethAtkinsBascomwipedthetearsfromhiseyes。\"Ical’late，\"hepanted，\"Iratherguess——Ho，ho！——Iratherguesswe’rebothlaughin’
atwoman-haters。\"
