第8章

"But——but——sheisn’tthatkindofagirl。"

"Howdoyouknow？Youdidn’tputhertothetest。Youowedherthat。Itseemstomeyouoweittohernow。"

Theanswertothiswasonhistongue。Itwasreadybehindhisclosedlips，eagertoburstforth。Thathedidn’tlovetheDavidsongirl，neverhadlovedher。Thatduringthepastmonthhehadcometorealizetherewasbutonewomaninthewideworldforhim。Anddidthatwomanmeanwhatshesaidaboutwaitingyears——andyears——

providedshecared？Anddidshecare？

Hedidn’tutteronewordofthis。Hewantedto，butitseemedsopreposterous。Suchanidiotic，outrageousthingtoask。Yetitisprobablethathewouldhaveaskeditiftheyoungladyhadgivenhimthechance。Butshedidnot；afterasidelongglanceathisface，shehurriedlyrosefromtherockandannouncedthatshemustbegettingbacktothehouse。

"Ihavesomepackingtodo，"sheexplained；"and，besides，Ithinkitisgoingtorain。"

"But，MissGraham，I——"

Abigdropofrainsplashinguponhisshoeconfirmedtheweatherprophecy。Shebegantowalkbrisklytowardthebungalow，andhewalkedatherside。

"Anotherstorm，"shesaid。"Ishouldthinktheonewehavejustpassedthroughwassufficientforawhile。IhopeMrs。Bascomwon’tgetwet。"

"Shehasgonetothevillage，hasn’tshe？"

"Yes。Shehasreceivedsomemessageorother——Idon’tknowhowitcame——whichsentheroffinahurry。Aliverycarriagecameforher。Shewillbebackbeforenight。"

"Atkinshasgone，too。Hehadsomeerrands，Ibelieve。Ican’tmakeoutwhathascomeoverhimoflate。Hehaschangedgreatly。

Heusedtobesojollyandgood-humored，exceptwhenfemalepicnickerscame。Nowheisassolemnasanowl。Whenhewentawayhescarcelyspokeaword。Ithoughtheseemedtobeintrouble，butwhenIaskedhim，heshutmeupsopromptlythatIdidn’tpressthematter。"

"Didhe？That’sodd。Mrs。Bascomseemedtobeintrouble，too。I

thoughtshehadbeencryingwhenshecameoutofherroomtogotothecarriage。Shedeniedit，buthereyeslookedred。Whatcanbethematter？"

"Idon’tknow。"

"NorI。Mr。——er——Brooks——OrshallIstillcallyou’Brown’？"

"No。Brownisdead；drowned。Lethimstayso。"

"Verywell。Mr。Brooks，hasitoccurredtoyouthatyourMr。Atkinsisapeculiarcharacter？Thatheactspeculiarly？"

"HehasactedpeculiarlyeversinceIknewhim。Buttowhatparticularpeculiaritydoyourefer？"

"Hisqueerbehavior。SeveraltimesIhaveseenhim——Iamalmostsureitwashe——hidingorcrouchingbehindthesandhillsattherearofourbungalow。"

"Youhave？Why，I——"

Hehesitated。Beforehecouldgoonorshecontinue，theraincameinadeluge。Theyreachedtheporchjustintime。

"Well，I’msafeandreasonablydry，"shepanted。"I’mafraidyouwillbedrenchedbeforeyougettothelights。Don’tyouwantanumbrella？"

"No。No，indeed，thankyou。"

"Well，youmusthurrythen。Good-by。"

"But，MissGraham，"anxiously，"Ishallseeyouagainbeforeyougo。

To-morrow，atbathingtime，perhaps？"

"Judgingbytheoutlookjustatpresent，bathingwillbeoutofthequestionto-morrow。"

"ButIwanttoseeyou。Imust。"

Sheshookherheaddoubtfully。"Idon’tknow，"shesaid。"Ishallbeverybusygettingreadytoleave；butperhapswemaymeetagain。"

"Wemust。I——MissGraham，I——"

Shehadclosedthedoor。Heranhomewardthroughtherain，thestormwhichsoakedhimtotheskinbeingbutatriflecomparedtothetornadoinhisbreast。

Hespentthebalanceofthedaysomehow，hecouldnothavetoldhow。

Therainandwindcontinued；sixo’clockcame，andSethshouldhavereturnedanhourbefore，buttherewasnosignofhim。HewonderedifMrs。Bascomhadreturned。Hehadnotseenthecarriage，butshemighthavecomewhilehewasinsidethehouse。Thelightkeeper’snonappearancebegantoworryhimatrifle。

Atseven，asitwasdark，hetookuponhimselftheresponsibilityofclimbingthewindingstairsineachtowerandlightingthegreatlanterns。Itwasthefirsttimehehaddoneit，butheknewhow，andthedutywassuccessfullyaccomplished。Then，asAtkinswasstillabsentandtherewasnothingtodobutwait，hesatinthechairinthekitchenandthought。Occasionally，anditshowedthetrendofhisthoughts，heroseandpeeredfromthewindowacrossthedarktothebungalow。Inthelivingroomofthelatterstructurealightburned。Attenitwasextinguished。

AthalfpasttenhewenttoSeth’sbedroom，foundameagerassortmentofpens，inkandnotepaper，returnedtothekitchen，satdownbythetableandbegantowrite。

Foranhourhethought，wrote，toreupwhathehadwritten，andbeganagain。Atlasttheresultofhislaborreadsomethinglikethis：

"DEARMISSGRAHAM：

"Icouldnotsayitthisafternoon，althoughifyouhadstayedI

thinkIshould。ButImustsayitnoworitmaybetoolate。I

can’tletyougowithoutsayingit。Iloveyou。Willyouwaitforme？Itmaybeaverylongwait，althoughGodknowsImeantotryharderthanIhaveevertriedforanythinginmylife。IfIliveI

willmakesomethingofmyselfyet，withyouasmyinspiration。Youknowyousaidifagirlreallycaredforamanshewouldwillinglywaityearsforhim。Doyoucareformeasmuchasthat？Withyou，orforyou，IbelieveIcanaccomplishanything。DOyoucare？

"RUSSELLBROOKS。"

Heputthisinanenvelope，sealedandaddressedit，andwithoutstoppingtoputoneithercaporraincoatwentoutinthenight。

Therainwasstillfalling，althoughnotasheavily，butthewindwascominginfiercesqualls。Hedescendedthepathtothecove，flounderingthroughthewetbushes。Atthefootofthehillhewassurprisedtofindthesaltmarshaseaofwaternotavestigeofgroundabovethesurface。Thiswasindeedarecord-breakingtide，suchashehadneverknownbefore。Hedidnotpausetoreflectupontidesorsuchtrivialities，but，withagrowlatbeingobligedtomakethelongdetour，heroundedtheendofthecoveandclimbeduptothedoorofthebungalow。Undertheedgeofthatdoorhetuckedthenotehehadwritten。Assoonasthiswasaccomplishedhebecameawarethathehadexpressedhimselfveryclumsily。Hehadnotwrittenashemight。Adozenbrilliantthoughtscametohim。Hemustrewritethatnoteatallhazards。

Sohespentfivefranticminutestryingtocoaxthatenvelopefromunderthedoor。But，inhiscaretopushitfarenough，ithaddroppedbeyondthesill，andhecouldnotreachit。Thethingwasdoneforbetterorforworse。Perfectlycertainthatitwasforworse，hesplashedmournfullybacktothelights。Inthelanternroomoftheright-handtowerhespenttheremainderofthenight，occasionallywanderingoutonthegallerytonotetheweather。

Thestormwasdyingout。Thesquallswerelessandlessfrequent，andtherainhadbeensucceededbyathickfog。Thebreakerspoundedinthedarkbelowhim，andfromafarthefoghornsmoanedandwailed。Itwasabadnight，anightduringwhichnolightkeepershouldbeabsentfromhispost。AndwherewasSeth？

CHAPTERXIV

"BENNIED。"

Seth’sdrivetoEastborowasadismaljourney。Joshuapoundedalongoverthewetsandorthroughrutsfilledwithwater，andnotonceduringthetripwasheorderedto"Giddap"or"Showsomesignsoflife。"Notuntilthefirstscatteredhousesofthevillagewerereacheddidthelightkeeperawakenfromhistrancesufficientlytonoticethattheoldhorsewaslimpingslightlywiththerightforefoot。

"Hello！"exclaimedSeth。"What’sthematterwithyou，Josh？"

Joshuasloppedon，butthiswasasortofthree-leggedprogress。

Thedriverleanedforwardandthenpulledonthereins。

"Whoa！"heordered。"Standstill！"

Joshuastoodstill，almostwithenthusiasm。Sethtuckedtheendofthereinsbetweenthewhipsocketandthedashboard，andswungoutofthewagontomakeanexamination。Liftingthelamefoot，hefoundthetroubleatonce。Theshoewasloose。

"Humph！"hesoliloquized。"Cal’lateyouandme’llhavetogiveBenijahajob。Well，"climbingbackintothevehicle，"IsaidI’dnevergivehimanotheraftertherowwehadaboutthelast，butI

ain’tgotambitionenoughtogoclearovertotheDenboroblacksmith’s。Idon’tcare。Idon’tcareaboutnothin’anymore。

Giddap。"

BenijahEllis’slittle，tumble-downblacksmithshopwaslocatedinthemainstreetofEastboro，ifthathit-or-misstowncanbesaidtopossessamainstreet。Atkinsdroveuptoitsdoor，beforewhichhefoundBenijahandagroupofloungersinspectinganautomobile，thebodyofwhichhadbeenremovedinorderthattheengineandrunninggearmightbetheeasierreached。Theblacksmithwasbendingoverthecar，hisheadandshouldersdownamidstthemachinery；abigwrenchwasinhishand，andotherwrenches，hammers，andtoolsofvarioussizeswerescatteredonthegroundbesidehim。

"Hello，Benije，"gruntedSeth。

Ellisremovedhisnosefromitscloseproximitytothegearshaftandstraightenedup。Hewasanear-sighted，elderlyman，andworespectacles。Justnowhishands，arms，andapronwerecoveredwithgreaseandoil，and，ashewipedhisforeheadwiththehandnotholdingthewrench，heleftawidemourningbandacrossit。

"Well？"hepanted。"Whoisit？Whowantsme？"

Oneoftheloafers，whohadbeenassistingtheblacksmithbyholdinghispipewhilehedoveintothemachinery，languidlymotionedtowardthenewarrival。Benijahadjustedhisspectaclesandwalkedovertothewagon。

"Whoisit？"heaskedcrossly。Then，asherecognizedhisvisitor，hegrunted："Ugh！it’syou，hey。Well，whatdoYOUwant？"

"Wantyoutoputanewshoeonthishorseofmine，"repliedSeth，nottoograciously。

"Isthatso！Well，I’mbusy。"

"Idon’tcareifyoube。Iguessyouain’tsobusyyoucan’tdoajobofwork。Ifyouare，you’rericher’nIeverheardyouwas。"

"Iwanttoknow！MaybeI’mparticularwhoIworkfor，SethAtkins。"

"Maybeyouare。Iain’tsoparticular；ifIwas，Iwouldn’tcomehere，Itellyouthat。Thishorseofmine’sgotalooseshoe，andI

wanthimattendedtoquick。"

"Thoughtyousaidyou’dnevertrustmewithanotherjob。"

"Iain’ttrustin’younow。I’llbeherewhileit’sdone。AndI

ain’taskin’youtotrustme，neither。I’llpaycash——cash，d’yeunderstand？"

Thebystandersgrinned。Mr。Ellis’sfrowndeepened。"I’mbusy，"hedeclared，withimportance。"I’vegotMr。DelanceyBarry’sautomobiletofix，andIcan’tstoptobotherwithhorses——speciallycertainkindofhorses。"

ThissneeratJoshuarousedhisowner’sire。Hedroppedthereinsandsprangtotheground。

"Seehere，BenijeEllis，"hegrowled，advancingupontherepairerofautomobiles，whoretreatedasteportwowithpromptness。"Idon’tcarewhatyou’refixin’，norwhoseitis，neither。Iguess’twillbe’fixed’allrightwhenyougetthroughwithit，butthatain’tneitherherenorthere。Anditdon’tmakenodifferenceifitdoesbelongtoMr。Barry。If’twasElijah’schariotoffire’twouldbejustthesame。Thatautowon’tbedonethisafternoon，andnobodyexpectsittobe。Here’smyhorsesufferin’tobeshod；IwanthimshodandI’vegotthemoneytopayforit。Whenit’swintertimeyou’rearoundcryin’thatyoucan’tearnmoneytopayyourbills。

Now，justbecauseit’ssummerandthere’scitybig-bugsintheneighborhoodinnocentenoughtoletyoutinkerwiththeirautos——

thoughthey’llneverdoitbutonce——Idon’tproposetobeputoff。

Ifyouwon’tshoethishorseofmineI’llknowit’sbecauseyou’vegotsomuchmoneyyoudon’tneedmore。Andifthat’sthecase，there’sawholelotoffolkswouldbemightygladtoknowit——HenryG。Goodspeedforone。I’mgoin’uptohisstorenow。ShallItellhim？"

Thiswasashotinthebull’s-eye。Mr。Ellisowedanumberofbills，hadowedthemforalongtime，andMr。Goodspeed’swasbynomeansthesmallest。Theloafersexchangedwinks，andtheblacksmith’smannerbecamemoreconciliatory。

"Ididn’tsayIwouldn’tdoitforyou，Seth，"hepleaded。"I’malwayswillin’todoyourwork。You’retheonethat’sbeencomplainin’。"

"Ugh！Well，I’mlikelytocomplainsomemore，butthecomplaint’sonething，andtheneed’sanother。I’mlikeJoelKnowles——hesaidwhenhecouldn’tgetwhiskyheworriedalongbesthecouldwithbayrum。Ineedablacksmith，andifIcan’tgetarealoneI’llputupwithanimitation。Willyoushoethishorseforme？"

"CourseI’llshoehim。ButIcan’tdoitthisminute。I’vegotthisconsarnedmachine，"wavingahandtowardtheautomobile，"outofdoorhereandalltopieces。Andit’sgoin’torain。Justletmeputenoughofittogetherso’sIcanshoveitintotheshopoutofthewet，andthenI’lltackleyourjob。Youleaveyourhorseandteamhereandgodoyourothererrands。He’llbereadywhenyoucomeback。"

Soonthisbasisthedealwasfinallymade。SethwasreluctanttotrustthepreciousJoshuaoutofhissight，but，aftersomeparley，heagreedtodoso。Thetraceswereunfastened，andtheanimalwasledintotheshop，thecarriagewasbackedunderashed，andthelightkeeperwentawaypromisingtobebackinanhour。Assoonashehadgone，Ellisdivedagainintothevitalsoftheauto。

TheargumentwiththeblacksmithhadonesatisfactoryresultsofarasSethwasconcerned。Inameasureitaffordedatemporaryventforhisfeelings。Hewasmoderatelyagreeableduringhisbriefstayatthegrocerystore，andwhenhisordersweregivenandhefoundthehournothalfover，hestrolledouttowalkaboutthevillage。

Andthen，aloneoncemore，allhismiseryandheartachereturned。

Hestrodealong，hisheaddown，scarcelyspeakingtoacquaintanceswhomhemet，untilhereachedtherailwaystation，wherehesatdownonthebaggagetrucktomentallyreview，overandoveragain，thescenewithEmelineandthedreadfulcollapseofhisnewbornhopesandplans。

Ashesatthere，thedoorofthestationopenedandamanemerged，amanevidentlynotanativeofEastboro。Hewasdressedinaratherloud，butsomewhatshabby，suitofsummerplaid，hisstrawhatwassetatrifleoveroneear，andhewassmokingthestumpofanottoofragrantcigar。Altogetherhelookedlikeasportingcharacterunderatemporaryfinancialcloud，buttheclouddidnotdimhisself-satisfactionnorshadowhismagnificentcomplaisance。HeregardedthesectionofEastborobeforehimwithcondescendingscorn，andthen，catchingsightofthedolefulfigureonthebaggagetruck，strolledoverandaddressedit。

"Isay，myfriend，"heobservedbriskly，"haveyouamatchconcealedaboutyourperson？Ifso，I——"

Hestoppedshort，forMr。Atkins，afteronelanguidglanceinhisdirection，hadsprungfromthetruckandwasgazingathimasifhewassomeapparition，somefigureinanightmare，insteadofhisblaseself。Andhe，ashelookedatthelightkeeper’sastoundedcountenance，droppedthecigarstumpfromhisfingersandsteppedbackwardinalarmedconsternation。

"You——you——YOU？"gaspedSeth。

"YOU！"repeatedthestranger。

"You！"criedSethagain；notabrilliantnororiginalobservation，but，underthecircumstances，excusable，forthenonchalantpersonintheplaidsuitwasEmelineBascom’sbrother-in-law，thegenius，the"inventor，"theonepersonwhomhehated——andfeared——morethananyoneelseintheworld——BennieD。himself。

Therewasaconsiderableintervalduringwhichneitherofthepairspoke。Seth，open-mouthedandhorror-stricken，wasincapableofspeech，andtheinventor’sastonishmentseemedtobecoupledwithacertainnervousness，almostasifhefearedaphysicalassault。

However，asthelightkeepermadenomove，andhisfistsremainedopen，thenervousnessdisappeared，andBennieD。characteristicallytookcommandofthesituation。

"Hum！"heobservedmusingly。"Hum！MayIaskwhatyouaredoinghere？"

"Huh——hey？"wasSeth’sincoherentreply。

"Iaskwhatyouaredoinghere？Haveyoufollowedme？"

"Fol-folleredyou？No。"

"You’resureofthat，areyou？"

"Yes，Ibe。"SethdidnotaskwhatBennieD。wasdoingthere。

Alreadythatquestionwassettledinhismind。Thebrother-in-lawhadfoundoutthatEmelinewaslivingnextdoortothemanshemarried，thathersummerengagementwasover，andhehadcometotakeheraway。

"Well？"queriedtheinventorsharply，"ifyouhaven’tfollowedme，whatareyoudoinghere？Whatdoyoumeanbybeinghere？"

"Ibelonghere，"desperately。"Iworkhere。"

"Youdo？AndmayIaskwhatparticularbeingisfortunateenoughtoemployyou？"

"I’mkeeperdowntothelighthouses，ifyouwanttoknow。ButI

cal’lateyouknowitalready。"

BennieD。’scoolnesswasnotproofagainstthis。Hestarted。

"Thelighthouses？"herepeated。"The——whatisittheycallthem？——

theTwin-Lights？"

"Yes。Youknowit；what’stheuseofaskin’foolquestions？"

Theinventorhadnotknownit——untilthatmoment，andhetooktimetoconsiderbeforemakinganotherremark。Hissister-in-lawwasemployedashousekeeperatsomebungaloworothersituatedincloseproximitytotheTwin-Lights；thathehaddiscoveredsincehisarrivalonthemorningtrain。PriortothathehadknownonlythatshewasinEastboroforthesummer。Beforethathehadnotbeenparticularlyinterestedinherlocation。Sincetheday，twoyearspast，when，havingdecidedthathehadusedherandherrapidlydepletingsupplyofcashaslongaswassafeorconvenient，hehadunceremoniouslyleftherandgonetoNewYorktoliveuponmoneysuppliedbyacredulouscitygentleman，whomhissmoothtonguehadinterestedinhis"inventions，"hehadnottakenthetroubleeventowritetoEmeline。ButwithinthepresentmonththeNewYorker’scredulityandhis"loans"hadceasedtobematerialassets。ThenBennieD。，facetofacewiththeneedoffunds，rememberedhissisterandthepromisegivenhisdeadbrotherthatheshouldbeprovidedwithahomeaslongasshehadone。

HejourneyedtoCapeAnnandfound，tohisdismay，thatshewasnolongerthere。Aftersomeskillfuldetectivework，helearnedoftheEastboroengagementandwrotetheletter——apiteous，appealingletter，fullofbrotherlyloveandhomesickness——which，heldbackbythestorm，reachedMrs。Bascomonlythatmorning。Inithestatedthathewasonhiswaytoherandwascountingtheminutesuntiltheyshouldbetogetheroncemore。Andhehad，assoonafterhisarrivalinthevillageaspossible，’phonedtotheLightsandspokenwithher。Hertone，assheanswered，was，hethought，alarminglycold。Ithadmadehimapprehensive，andhewonderedifhisinfluenceoverherwasonthewane。Butnow——nowheunderstood。

Herhusband——herhusband，ofallpeople——hadbeenlivingnextdoortoherallsummer。Nodoubtsheknewhewastherewhenshetooktheplace。Perhapstheyhadmetbymutualagreement。Why，thiswasappalling！Itmightmeananything。AndyetSethdidnotlooktriumphantorevenhappy。BennieD。resolvedtoshownosignsofperturbationordoubt，butfirsttofindout，ifhecould，thetruth，andthentoactaccordingly。

"Mr。Bascom——"hebegan。Thelightkeeper，greatlyalarmed，interruptedhim。

"Hush！"hewhispered。"Don’tsaythat。Thatain’tmyname——downhere。"

"Indeed？Whatisyourname？"

"DownheretheycallmeSethAtkins。"

BennieD。lookedpuzzled。Thenhisexpressionchanged。Hewasrelieved。Whenhe’phonedtotheLights——usingthedepot’phone——

thestationagenthadseemedtoconsiderhiscallingawomanoverthelighthousewiregreatfun。Thelightkeeper，sotheagentsaid，wasnamedAtkins，andwasasavagewoman-hater。Hewouldnotseeawoman，muchlessspeaktoone；itwasastandingjokeintheneighborhood，Seth’shatredoffemales。ThatseemedtoprovethatEmelineandherhusbandwerenotreconciledandlivingtogether，atleast。Possiblytheirbeingneighborswasmerelyacoincidence。Ifso，hemightnothavecometoolate。Whenhenextaddressedhiscompanionitwasinadifferenttoneandwithoutthe"Mister。"

"Bascom——or——er——Atkins，"hesaidsharply，"Ihoped——IsincerelyhopedthatyouandImightnotmeetduringmyshortstayhere；but，aswehavemet，Ithinkitbestthatweshouldunderstandeachother。Supposewewalkovertothatclumpoftreesontheothersideofthetrack。Weshallbealonethere，andIcansaywhatisnecessary。Idon’twish——evenwhenIrememberyourbehaviortowardmysister——tohumiliateyouinthetownwhereyoumaybetryingtoleadabetterlife。Come。"

Heledtheway，andSeth，yieldingasofoldtothisman’salmosthypnoticcommandoverhimandstillbewilderedbytheunexpectedmeeting，followedlikeawhippeddog。Undertheshelterofthetreestheypaused。

"Nowthen，"saidBennieD。，"perhapsyou’lltellmewhatyoumeanbydecoyingmysisterdownhereinmyabsence，whenIwasnotpresenttoprotecther。Whatdoyoumeanbyit？"

Sethstaredathimuncomprehendingly。"Decoyin’her？"herepeated。

"Ineverdecoyedher。I’vebeenhereeversinceIleft——leftyouandherthatnight。Ineveraskedhertocome。Ididn’tknowshewascomin’。Andshedidn’tknowIwashereuntil——untilamonthorsoago。I——"

BennieD。heldupahand。Hewasdelightedbythispieceofnews，buthedidnotshowit。

"Thatwilldo，"hesaid。"Iunderstandallthat。Butsincethen——

sincethen？Whatdoyoumeanbytryingtoinfluenceherasyouhave？Answerme！"

Thelightkeeperrubbedhisforehead。

"Iain’ttriedtoinfluenceher，"hedeclared。"Sheandmehavescarcelyseeneachother。Nobodyknowsthatwewasmarried，notevenMissGrahamnortheyoungfellerthat’s——that’smyhelperatthelights。Youmustknowthat。Shemusthavewroteyou。Whatareyoutalkin’about？"

Shehadnotwritten；hehadreceivednolettersfromherduringthetwoyears，butagainthewily"genius"wasequaltotheoccasion。

Helookedwiseandnodded。

"Ofcourse，"hesaidimportantly。"Ofcourse。Certainly。"

Hehesitated，notknowingexactlywhathisnextmoveshouldbe。AndSeth，havinghadtimetocollect，inameasure，hisscatteredwits，begantodosomethinkingonhisownaccount。

"Say，"hesaidsuddenly，"ifyouknewallthisaforehand，whatareyouaskin’thesequestionsfor？"

"That，"BennieD。’sgesturewasoneofloftydisdain，"ismybusiness。"

"Iwanttoknow！Well，then，maybeI’vegotsomebusinessofmyown。Whomademybusinessyourbusiness？Hey？"

"Thewelfareofmysister——"

"Neveryoumindyoursister。You’retalkin’withmenow。Andyouain’tgotmepennedupinahouse，neither。Byjiminycrimps！"Hisangerboiledover，and，totheinventor’seyes，hebegantolookalarminglyalive。"Byjiminycrimps！"repeatedSeth，"I’vebeenprayin’alltheseyearstomeetyousomewheresalone，andnowI’veagoodmindto——to——"

Hisbigfistclosed。BennieD。steppedbackwardoutofreach。

"Bascom——"hecried，"don’t——"

"Don’tyoucallmethat！"

"Bascom——"Theinventorwasthoroughlyfrightened，andhisvoicerosealmosttoashout。

Thelightkeeper’swrathvanishedatthesoundofthename。IfanynativeofEastboro，ifthedepotmasterontheothersideofthetrack，shouldhearhimaddressedas"Bascom，"thefatwouldbeinthefireforgoodandall。Thesecrethehadsojealouslyguardedwouldbeout，andallthemiserablestorywould，soonerorlater，beknown。

"Don’tcallmeBascom，"hebegged。Er——pleasedon’t。"

BennieD。’scouragereturned。Yetherealizedthatifatrumpcardwastobeplayeditmustbethen。Thismanwasdangerous，and，somehoworother，hisgunsmustbespiked。Abrilliantideaoccurredtohim。ExactlyhowmuchofthetruthSethknewhewasnotsure，buthetooktherisk。

"Verywellthen——Atkins，"hesaidcontemptuously。"Iamnotusedtoaliases——nothavingdealtwithpersonsfindingitnecessarytoemploythem——andIforget。ButbeforethisdisagreeableinterviewisendedIwishyoutounderstandthoroughlywhyIamhere。Iamheretoprotectmysisterandtoremoveherfromyourpersecution。

Iamheretoassistherinprocuringadivorce。"

"Adivorce！ADIVORCE！Goodheavensabove！"

"Yes，sir，"triumphantly，"adivorcefromthemanshewastrappedintomarryingandwhodesertedher。Youdiddeserther，youcan’tdenythat。Solongassheremainsyourwife，eveninname，sheisliabletopersecutionfromyou。Sheunderstandsthis。SheandI

aretoseealawyeratonce。ThatiswhyIamhere。"

Sethwascompletelyoverwhelmed。Adivorce！Acaseforthepaperstoprint，andallofOstablecountytoread！

"I——I——I——"hestammered，andthenaddedweakly，"Idon’tbelieveit。Shewouldn’t……Thereain’tnolawyerhere。"

Thenweshallseektheonenearesthere。Emelineunderstands。I

’phonedherthismorning。"

"WasitYOUthat’phoned？"

"Itwas。Now——er——Atkins，Iamdisposedtobeasconsiderateofyourwelfareaspossible。Iknowthatanypublicityinthismattermightprejudiceyouintheeyesofyour——ofthegovernmentofficials。Ishallnotseekpublicity，solelyonyouraccount。Thedivorcewillbeobtainedprivately，provided——PROVIDEDyouremainoutofsightanddonotinterfere。Iwarnyou，therefore，nottomaketroubleortoattempttoseemysisteragain。Ifyoudo——well，ifyoudo，theconsequenceswillbeunpleasantforyou。Doyouunderstand？"

Sethunderstood，orthoughthedid。Hegroanedandleanedheavilyagainstatreetrunk。

"Youunderstand，doyou？"repeatedBennieD。"Iseethatyoudo。

Verygoodthen。Ihavenothingmoretosay。Iadvisethatyouremain——er——inseclusionforthenextfewdays。Good-by。"

Hegaveafarewellglanceatthecrushedfigureleaningagainstthetree。Thenheturnedonhisheelandwalkedoff。

Sethremainedwherehewasforperhapstenminutes，notmovingamuscle。Thenheseemedtoawaken，lookedanxiouslyinthedirectionofthedepottomakesurethatnoonewaswatching，pulledhiscapoverhiseyes，jammedhishandsintohispockets，andstartedtowalkacrossthefields。Hehadnofixeddestinationinmind，hadnoideawherehewasgoingexceptthathemustgosomewhere，thathecouldnotkeepstill。

Hestumbledalong，throughbriersandbushes，payingnoattentiontoobstaclessuchasfencesorstonewallsuntilheranintothem，whenheclimbedoverandwentblindlyon。AmilefromEastboro，andhewasaloneinagroveofscrubpines。Herehestoppedshort，struckhishandstogether，andgroanedaloud：

"Idon’tbelieveit！Idon’tbelieveit！"

Forhewasbeginningnottobelieveit。AtfirsthehadnotthoughtofdoubtingBennieD。’sstatementconcerningthedivorce。Now，ashisthoughtsbecameclearer，hisdoubtsgrew。Hiswifehadnotmentionedthesubjectintheirmorninginterview。Possiblyshewouldnothavedonesoinanyevent，but，asthememoryofherbehaviorandspeechbecameclearerinhismind，itseemedtohimthatshecouldnothavekeptsuchasecret。Shehadbeenkinder，hadseemedtohimmore——yes，almost——why，whenheaskedhertobehisagain，togivehimanotherchance，shehadhesitated。Shehadnotsaidnoatonce，shehesitated。Ifshewasabouttodivorcehim，wouldshehaveactedinsuchaway？Ithardlyseemedpossible。

Thencametheletterandthetelephonemessage。Itwasafterthesethatshehadsaidnowithdecision。Perhaps……wasitpossiblethatshehadknownofherbrother-in-law’scomingonlythen？Nowthathethoughtofit，shehadnotgoneawayatonceafterthetalkoverthe’phone。Shehadwaitedamomentasifforhimtospeak。

He，staggeredandparalyzedbythesightofhisenemy’snameinthatletter，hadnotspokenandthenshe……Hedidnotbelieveshewasseekingadivorce！ItwasallanotherofBennieD。’slies！

Butsupposeshewasseekingit。Orsuppose——forheknewthepersuasivepowerofthatglibtongueonlytoowell——supposeherbrother-in-lawshouldpersuadehertodoit。Shouldhesitstill——

inseclusion，ashislateadviserhadcounseled——andletthisirrevocableandfinalmovebemade？Afteradivorce——Seth’sideaofdivorceswerevagueandPuritanical——therewouldbenohope。HeandEmelinecouldnevercometogetherafterthat。Andhemustgiveherupandallhishopesofhappiness，allthathehaddreamedoflate，wouldbebutdreams，neverrealities。No！hecouldnotgivethemup。Hewouldnot。Publicity，scandal，everything，hecouldface，buthewouldnotgivehiswifeupwithoutafight。Whatshouldhedo？

Foralongtimehepacedupanddownbeneaththepinestryingtoplan，tocometosomedecision。AllthathecouldthinkofwastoreturntotheLights，togoopenlytothebungalow，seeEmelineandmakeonelastappeal。BennieD。mightbethere，butifhewas——

well，byjiminycrimps，lethimlookout，that’sall！

Hehadreachedthispointinhismeditationswhenthewind，whichhadbeensteadilyincreasingandtossingthepinetopswarningly，suddenlybecameasquallwhichbroughtwithitaflurryofrain。Hestartedandlookedup。Theskywasdark，itwaslateintheafternoon，andthestormhehadprophesiedhadarrived。

Halfanhourlaterheran，pantingandwet，intotheblacksmith’sshop。Theautomobilewasstandinginthemiddleofthefloor，andMr。Elliswasstandingbesideit，perspiringandtroubled。

"Where’sJoshua？"demandedSeth。

"Hey？"inquiredtheblacksmithabsently。

"Where’smyhorse？Isheready？"

Benijahwipedhisforehead。

"Gosh！"heexclaimed。"By……gosh！"

"Whatareyoub’goshin’about？"

"Seth——Idon’tknowwhatyou’llsaytome——but——butIdeclareI

forgotallaboutyourhorse。"

"YouFORGOTabouthim？"

"Yes。Youseethatthing？"pointingpatheticallyattheauto。

"Well，sir，thatpeskything’sbreakin’myheart——tosaynothin’ofmyback。Igotitapartallright，notroubleaboutthat。AndbygoodrightsI’vegotittogetheragain，leastwaysitlooksso。Yet，bytime，"indistractedagitation，"there’sahalfbucketofboltsandnutsandoddsandendsthatain’tinityet——leftover，youmightsay。AndIcan’tfindanyplacetoputoneof’em。DoyouwonderIforgettrifles？"

Trifles！theshoeingofJoshuaatrifle！Thelightkeeperhadbeensufferingforanopportunitytoblowoffsteam，andtheopportunitywashere。Benijahwitheredundertheblast。

"S-sh-sh！sh-sh！"hepleaded。"Landsakes，SethAtkins，stopit！I

don’tblameyouforbein’mad，butyounornobodyelsesha’n’ttalktomethatway。I’llfixyourhorseinfiveminutes。Yes，sir，infiveminutes。Shutupnow，orIwon’tdoitatall！"

Herushedovertothestallintherearoftheshop，wokeJoshuafromthesweetslumberofoldage，andledhimtothehalterbesidetheforge。Thelightkeeper，beingoutofbreath，hadnothingfurthertosayatthemoment。

"What’sthematterwithallyoulighthousefolks？"askedBenijah，anxioustochangethesubject。"What’spossessedthewholelotofyoutocometothevillageatonetime？Whoa，boy，standstill！"

"Thewholelotofus？"repeatedSeth。"Whatdoyoumean？"

"MeanI’veseentwoofyouatleastthisafternoon。ThatBascomwoman，housekeeperattheGrahambungalowsheis，wentpastheretwice。FusttimeshewasinoneofSnow’sliverybuggies，Snow’sboydrivin’her。Then，aboutanhourago，shewentbyagain，buttheboy’dgone，andtherewasanotherfellerpilotin’theteam——astranger，nobodyIeverseeafore。"

Seth’sredfaceturnedpale。"What？"hecried。"Em——Mrs。Bascomridin’withastranger！Whatsortofastranger？"

"Oh，afellersomewheresbetweentwentyandfifty。Smooth-facedcritterwithacheckedsuitandastrawhat……Whatonearth’sthematterwithyounow？"

Forthelightkeeperwasshakingfromheadtofoot。

"Did——did——whichwaywastheygoin’？BacktotheLightsor——orwhere？"

"No，didn’tseemtobegoin’totheLightsatall。Theywentontheotherroad。Seemedtobeheadin’forDenboroiftheykeptonastheystarted……SethAtkins，haveyouturnedloony？"

Sethdidnotanswer。WithaleaphelandedatJoshua’shead，unhookedthehalter，andranoutoftheshopleadingthehorse。Theastonishedblacksmithfollowedasfarasthedoor。Sethwasbackingtheanimalintohiswagon，whichstoodbeneaththeshed。Hefastenedthetraceswithtremblingfingers。

"Whatintheworldhasstruckyou？"shoutedEllis。"Ain’tyougoin’

tohavethatshoefixed？Hecan’ttravelthatway。Seth！SethAtkins！……Bytime，heIScrazy！"

Sethdidnotdenythecharge。Climbingintothewagon，hetookupthereins。

"Areyousureandsartin’’twastheDenbororoadtheytook？"hedemanded。

"Whotook？ThatfellerandtheBascomwoman？CourseIam，but……

Well，Iswan！"

Forthelightkeeperwaitedtohearnomore。HestrucktheunsuspectingJoshuawiththeendofthereinsand，withajump，theoldhorsestartedforward。Anothermoment，andthelighthousewagonwassplashingandrattlingthroughthepouringrainalongtheroadleadingtoDenboro。

CHAPTERXV

THEVOYAGEOFTHEDAISYM。

DenboroismanylongmilesfromEastboro，andtheroad，eveninthebestofweather，isnotagoodone。Itwindsandtwistsandclimbsanddescendsthroughwoodsandoverhills。Therearestretchesofmarshyhollowswheretheyellowclayneedsbutalittlemoisteningtobecomeapastewhichstickstowheelsandhoofsandmakestraveling，evenbehindayoungandspiritedhorse，adishearteningprogress。

Joshuawasneitheryoungnorspirited。Andtheweathercouldnothavebeenmuchworse。Thethreedays’stormhadsoakedeverything，andtheclay-bottomedpuddleswerenearkintoquicksands。AsthelighthousewagondescendedthelongslopeatthesouthernendofthevillageandbeganthecircleoftheinnerextremityofEastboroBackHarbor，Sethrealizedthathisjourneywastobeahardone。Therain，drivenbythenortheastwind，cameoffthewaterinblindinggusts，andthewavesintheharborweretippedwithwhite。Also，althoughthetidewasalmostatitslowest，streaksofseaweedacrosstheroadshowedwhereithadreachedthatforenoon，andprophesiedevenagreaterfloodthatnight。HeturnedhisheadandgazeduptheharbortowhereitnarrowedandbecamePounddugSlough。

IntheSlough，nearitsoceanextremity，hisoldschooner，theDaisyM。，laystranded。Hehadnotvisitedherforaweek，andhewonderedifthe"spellofweather"hadinjuredhertoanyextent。

Thisspeculation，however，wasbutmomentary。TheDaisyM。mustlookoutforherself。HisbusinesswastoreachJudgeGould’s，inDenboro，beforeMrs。BascomandBennieD。couldarrangewiththatprominentcitizenandlegallightforthethreateneddivorce。

ThattheyhadstartedforJudgeGould’shedidnotdoubtforamoment。"Ishallseekthenearestlawyer，"BennieD。hadsaid。Andthejudgewasthenearest。Theymustbegoingthere，orwhyshouldtheytakethatroad？Neitherdidhedoubtnowthattheirobjectwastosecurethedivorce。Howdivorcesweresecured，orhowlongittooktogetone，Sethdidnotknow。Hissoleknowledgeonthatsubjectwasderivedfromthenewspapersandcomicweeklies，andherememberedreadingofplacesintheWestwherelawyerswiththenecessaryblanksintheirpocketsmetapplicantsatthearrivalofonetrainandsentthemaway，rejoicingandfree，onthenext。

"YoujumprightoffthecarsandthenTurnroundandjumprightonagain。"

Thisfragmentofasong，sungata"moving-picture"showinthetownhall，andresungmanytimesthereafterbyEzraPayne，JohnBrown’spredecessorasassistantkeeperatthelights，recurredtohimasheurgedthewearyJoshuaonward。SofarasSethknew，theRenocustommightbeuniversal。Atanyrate，hemustgettoJudgeGould’sbeforeEmelineandherbrother-in-lawleftthere。Whatheshoulddowhenhearrivedandfoundthemtherewasimmaterial；hemustgetthere，thatwasall。

EastboroBackHarborwasleftbehind，andthelongstretchofwoodsbeyondwasentered。Joshua，hishoofsswollenbythestickyclaytoyellowcannonballs，ploddedon，but，inspiteofcommandsandpleadings——thelightkeeperpossessednowhipandwouldnothaveusedoneifhehad——hewentslowerandslower。Hewaswalkingnow，andlimpingsadlyonthefootwherethelooseshoehungbyitsbentandbrokennails。

Fivemiles，six，seven，andthelimpwasworsethanever。Seth，whoseconsciencesmotehim，gotoutofthecarriageintotherainandmudandattemptedrepairs，usingastoneasahammer。Thisseemedtohelpmatterssome，butitwasalmostdarkwhenthegraniteblockmarkingthetownshiplinewaspassed，andthewindowsinthehouseswerealightwhenhepulledupatthejudge’sdoor。

Thejudgehimselfansweredtheknock，orseriesofknocks。HeseemedmuchsurprisedtofindthekeeperofEastboroTwin-Lightsstandingonhisfrontstep。

"Why，hello，Atkins！"hecried。"Whatintheworldareyoudoingoverhere？anightlikethis！"

"Has——hasMrs。Bascombeenhere？Issheherenow？"pantedSethanxiously。

"Mrs。Bascom？WhoisMrs。Bascom？"

"She——she’safriendofmine。Sheand——andarelationofherswascomin’overheretoseeyouonbusiness。Ain’ttheyhere？Ain’ttheybeenhere？"

"No。Noonehasbeenherethisafternoon。I’vebeeninsinceoneo’clock，andnotasoulhascalled，onbusinessorotherwise。"

Thelightkeepercouldscarcelybelieveit。

"You’resure？"hedemanded。

"Certainly。Iftheycamebeforeonemywifewouldhavetoldme，I

think。I’llaskher。"

"No，no，"hastily。"Youneedn’t。Iftheyain’tbeensinceonetheyain’tbeen。ButIdon’tunderstand……There’snootherlawyernighhere，isthere？"

"No；nonenearerthanBayport。"

"Myland！MyLAND！Then——thenI’moutofsoundin’ssomehow。Theynevercameforit，afterall。"

"Cameforwhat？"

"Nothin’，nothin’，Iguess，"withasicklysmile。"I’vemadesomesortofmistake，thoughIdon’tknowhow。Benijemusthave……

I’llbreakthatfeller’sneck；Iwill！"

Thelawyerbegantosharetheblacksmith’sopinionthathiscallerhadgonecrazy。

"Comein，Atkins，"heurged。"Comeinoutofthewet。WhatISthematter？WhatareyoudoinghereatthistimeofnightsofarfromtheLights？Isitanythingserious？Comeinandtellmeaboutit。"

ButSeth，insteadofacceptingtheinvitation，staredathimaghast。

Then，turningabout，heleapeddownthesteps，rantothewagonandclimbedin。

"Giddap！"heshouted。Poor，tiredJoshualiftedhisclay-daubedhoofs。

"You’renotgoingback？"criedGould。"Holdon，Atkins！Wait！"

ButSethdidnotwait。Alreadyhehadturnedhishorse’sheadtowardEastboro，andwasdrivingoff。Thelawyerstoodstill，amazedlylookingafterhim。ThenhewentintothehouseandspentthenextquarterofanhourtryingtocalltheTwin-Lightsbytelephone。Asthenortheastwindhadfinishedwhatthenorthwestonehadbegunandthewirewasdown，hisattemptwasunsuccessful。

Hegaveitupafteratimeandsatdowntodiscusstheastonishingaffairwithhiswife。Hewasworried。

ButhisworrimentwasasnothingcomparedtoSeth’s。Thelawyer’sreferencetotheLightshaddrivenevenmatrimonialtroublesfromtheAtkinsmind。Thelights！theTwin-Lights！Itwaslongpastthetimeforthemtobelit，andtherewasnoonetolightthembutBrown，agreenhand。Weretheylitatall？Ifnot，heavenknewwhatmighthappenorhadhappenedalready。

Hehadthoughtofthisbefore，ofcourse，hadvaguelyrealizedthathewasbetrayinghistrust，butthenhehadnotcared。TheLights，hispositionaskeeper，everything，weresideissuescomparedwiththeonethingtobedone，thegettingtoDenboro。HehadreachedDenboroandfoundhisjourneyallamistake；hiswifeandBennieD。

hadnot，apparently，visitedthatvillage；perhapshadnotevenstartedforit。Therefore，inameasurerelieved，hethoughtofotherthings。Hewasmanymilesfromhispostofduty，andnowhissoleideawastogetbacktoit。

Atteno’clockMrs。HepsibahDeacon，awidowlivinginalittlehouseinthewoodsonthetopofthehillontheDenborosideofEastboroBackHarbor，withnoneighborsforamileineitherdirection，wasawakenedbyshoutsunderherbedroomwindow。Openingthatwindowshethrustforthherhead。

"Whoisit？"shedemandedquaveringly。"What’sthematter？Isanythingafire？"

Fromtheblacknessoftherainandfogemergedavagueshape。

"It’sme，Mrs。Deacon；SethAtkins，downtotheLights，youknow。

I’veleftmyhorseandcarriageinyourbarn。Josh——he’sthehorse——

isgonelameandplayedhimselfout。Hecan’twalkanotherstep。

I’veunharnessedhimandlefthiminthestall。He’llbeallright。

I’vegivenhimsomewaterandhay。Justlethimstaythere，ifitain’ttoomuchtrouble，andI’llsendforhimto-morrerandpayforhiskeep。It’sallright，ain’tit？Muchobliged。Goodnight。"

Beforethefrightenedwidowcouldaskaquestionorutterawordhewasgone，ploughingdownthehillinthedirectionoftheBackHarbor。Whenhereachedthefootofthathillwheretheroadshouldhavebeen，hefoundthatithaddisappeared。Thetidehadrisenandcoveredit。

Itwaspitch-dark，therainwaslessheavy，andcloudsoffogweredriftinginbeforethewind。Sethwadedonforashortdistance，butsoonrealizedthatwadingwouldbeanimpossibility。Then，asindespair，hewasaboutreadytogiveuptheattempt，adarkobjectcameintoviewbesidehim。Itwasadorybelongingtooneofthelobstermen，which，attheendofitslonganchorrope，hadswunginshoreuntilitfloatedalmostovertheroad。Sethseizeditintimetopreventcollisionwithhisknees。Thetholepinswereinplace，andtheoarslaidlengthwiseonitsthwarts。Ashishandstouchedthegunwaleanewideacametohim。

HehadintendedwalkingtherestofthewaytoEastboro，routingouttheliverymanandhiringahorseandbuggywithwhichtoreachtheLights。Nowhebelievedchancehadofferedhimaneasierandmoredirectmethodoftravel。HecouldrowuptheHarborandSlough，landclosetowheretheDaisyM。lay，andwalktherestofthewayinaveryshorttime。Heclimbedintothedory，pulleduptheanchor，andseatedhimselfattheoars。

Thebottomoftheboatwastwoinchesdeepwithrainwater，andthethwartwasdrippingandcold。Seth，beingalreadyaboutaswetashecouldbe，didnotmindthis，butpulledwithlongstrokesoutintotheharbor。Thevagueblackshadowsofthelanddisappeared，andinaminutehewas，sofarashiseyescouldtellhim，afloatonashorelesssea。Hehadnocompass，butthisdidnottroublehim。

Thewind，heknew，wasblowingdirectlyfromthedirectionhewishedtogo，andhekeptthedory’sbowintheteethofit。Herowedonandon。Thewaves，outhereinthedeepwater，wereofgoodsize，andthesprayflewashesplashedintothem。Heknewthathewaslikelytogetoffthecourse，buttheBackHarborwas，exceptforitsupperentrance，landlocked，andhecouldnotgofarastray，nomatterwherehemighthittheshore。

Thefogclouds，drivenbythesqualls，driftedbyandpassed。Atrareintervalstheskywasalmostclear。Afterhehadrowedforhalfanhourandwasbeginningtothinkhemustbetravelingincircles，oneoftheseclearintervalscameand，farofftotheleftandahead，hesawsomethingwhichcausedhimtoutteranexclamationofjoy。Twofieryeyesshonethroughthedark。Thefogshuttheminagainalmostimmediately，butthatoneglancewassufficienttoshowthatallwaswellattheposthehaddeserted。ThefieryeyeswerethelanternsintheTwin-Lightstowers。JohnBrownhadbeenequaltotheemergency，andthelampswerelighted。