第9章
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。"