m by the arrival of two of Lucy's friends-her schoolmate and bosom companion, Maria Coll

ot made a very good impression upon her. Max she thought better of. He was a quiet, well-bred young fellow; older than either Lucy or Maria, and having lived abroad a year

ling and fishing parties outside of Barnegat were gotten up; dances were held in the old parlor, and even tableaux were arranged under Max's artistic guidance. In one of these Maria wore a Spanish costume fashioned out of a white lace sha

tself was gre

atham, the stage-driver, asked of Uncle Ephraim Tip

do they

milk, his skin's that white. The She-one had a set o' hoops on her big as a circus tent. Much as I could do to git her in the 'bus-as it was, she come in sideways. And her

Uncle Ephraim. "Miss Jane told me they wer

fattened, maybe. If they was mi

her cronies also gave f

ld who had ever enjoyed that privilege.) "Wearin' each other's hats, rollin' round in the sand, and hollerin' so you could hea

and wears such lovely cravats," the younger Miss Cromartin said, and "Miss Collins is too sweet for anything." Prim Mr. Bunsby, having superior notions o

ent developed. She was like a summer rose, making everything and everybody glad about her, loving the air she breathed as much for the color it put into her cheeks as for the new bound it gave to her blood. Just as she loved the sunlight for its warmth and the dip and swell of the sea for its thrill. So, to

ng as a bird sings, as much to relieve its own overcharged little body, full to bursting with the music in its soul, as to gladden the surrounding woods

s. Lucy had been his constant inspiration in all of this. She had surveyed the field that first night of their meeting and had discovered that the young man's personality offered the only material in Warehold available for her purpos

e and amuse her. When they were not sailing they were back in the orchard out of sight of the house, or were walking together nobody knew where. Often Bart would call for her immediately after breakfast, and the two would pack a lunch-basket and be gone all day, Lucy arranging the details o

ation nor prospects, nor, for that matter, his social position-a point which usually had very little weight with Jane-could possibly entitle him to ask the hand of the granddaughter of Archibald Cobden in marriage. She began to regret that she had thrown them together. Her own ideas of reforming him had never contemplated any such intimacy as now existed between the young man and her sist

meetings and outings of the young couple

grave, but she gave no indication of her own thoughts. Her pride prevented her discussin

o. She is very happy; let her alone. I wish, though, she would return some of the calls of these good people who have been so kind to her.

ing on Lucy's hat, puffing out the big bow under her chin, smoothing her hair from the flying strings. Lucy's eyes were dancing, her face turned toward Bart's, her pretty lips near his own. There was a knot or a twist, or a collection of knots and twist

ereupon Lucy faced about, waved her hand to the old nurse, and turning quickly, raced u

go to the village when they two went off together in that direction; traversing the orchard, ostensibly looking for Meg when she knew all the time that the dog was sound

appy. The older village people had shown her sister every attention, she said to herself,-more than was her due, considering her youth,-and yet Lucy had never crossed any one of their thresholds. She again plead

ant to see me, and I'm sure I don't want to see them.

re, that Jane heard Lucy say in Ma

abbies I will take in a row: Mrs. Cavendish first, and then the Cromartins, and the balance of the

, and few of their other friends lived near it. Then again, Jane knew that Lucy had not liked the doctor's calling her into the house the night of her arrival, a

ered, slipping her arm about Lucy's w

over her arm to protect the young girl from the breeze from the sea, which in the ear

e doctor's absence, did the honors of the office. He loved Jane, and always sprang straight at her, his big paws resting on her shoulders. These courtesies, however, he did not extend to Meg.

ry beautiful, and you know the doctor is a good judge, is he not, Miss Jane?" she added, holding out her hands to them both. "And he's quite right; you are just like your dear mother, who was kn

ut further comment or any reference to the compliments showered upon her, she took her seat upon the top step and be

y were building near Barnegat, and whether she and one or two of the other ladies at W

expressions that crossed her face, and settling in her mind for all time, after the manner of young girls, what sort of woman the doctor's mo

d intention to rip everybody up the back who opposed her; proud of her home, of her blood, and of her son, and determined, if she could manage it, to break off his attachment for Jane, no matter at what cost. This last Lucy caught from a peculiar

ription of its age and ancestry: How it had come down to her from her grandfather, whose large estate was near Trenton, where as a girl she had spent her life; how in those days it was but a small villa to which old Nicholas Erskine, her great-uncle, would bring hi

could be more gracious than the close attention which the young girl gave Mrs. Cavendish's every word when the talk was again directed to her, bending her pretty head and laughing at the ri

his dusty paw upon her spotless frock-and with the remark that she had other visits to pay, her only regret being that this one wa

older woman, her humoring her whims, show her to be the daughter of a Cobden. As to her own place during the visit, she had never given it a thoug

with curiosity took possession of her, as when one enters a sanctuary in the absence of the priest. For an instant she passed her hand gently over the leather back of the chair where his head rested, smoothing it with her fingers. Then her eyes wandered over the room, noting each appointment in detail. Suddenly a sense of injustice rose in her mind as she thought that n

he sea. When she and Jane had reached the cross-road that branched off to

more visits, sister. Suppose I go to the beach and

t dressed warm enough, dearie. You know how cool it gets towar

ood-by," and without giving her sister time to protest, she called to Meg, and with a wave of h

and-dune. All the mother-love in her heart welled up in her breast. She was so proud of her, so much in love with her, so thankful for her! All these foolish love affairs and girl fancies would soon be o

her thoughts went back to the re

his desk. Poor fellow! how hard he works and how good he is to everybody! Little Tod would have died but

r from view, she crouched down behind a sand-dune, waited until she was sure Jane would not change her mind and join her, and then folding the cloak over her arm, g

darling," he said, catching h

r I was going to see Mrs. Cavendish, and she

ed, turning his head and loo

scared to death for a minute, but

er? We don't want him," he rejoined, pointing to Meg, w

g to give him a bath. How long have you been waiting, my preci

ame for her), "when I'm waiting for you. I was sure something wa

e fisherman, had the key," she asked, with

I borrowed it yesterday and had one made just like it. I'm of ag

thing was to be done, Bart always found the way to do it. She waited un

reservers; and here's a table and some stools and a lantern-two of 'em; and there's the big life-boat, all ready to push out. Good place to come Sundays with some of the fellows, isn't it? Play all night here, and not a soul would find you out," he chuckled as

and as a child had stood up on her toes and tried to peep in through the crack of the big door. When she had looked the boat all over and felt the oars, and wondered whether the fire could be l

Oh, see how beautiful the sea is! I love that green," and drawing Jane's red clo

g steamer; nearer in idled a schooner bound in to Barnegat Inlet with every sail set. At their feet the surf rose sleepily under the gentl

he swooping gulls, chasing the sand-snipe and digging holes in the sand for imaginary muskrats, lifted his head and gave a short yelp. Bart, annoyed by the sound, picked

n the full glare of the setting sun, even when protect

n Gossaway's day for visiting the sick, and she had just left Fogarty's cabin, where little Tod, with his throat tied up in red flannel, had tried on her mitts and played with her

o longer, except as a topic to talk about. Such trifles

own thoughts, kept on her way

et Doctor John driving in. He tighten

ossaway. Where are you fr

and it's my day for visitin', fust in two weeks. That two-year-old of hers is all right ag'in after your sewing him up; they'll never get over tellin' how you set up all night with him. You ought to hear Mrs. Fogarty go on-'

uched his hat

each and with Bart, she had some good purpose in her mind. It may have been her day for visiting, and Bart, perhaps, had accompanied her. But why had Miss Gossaway not met Miss Cobden at Fogarty's, his being the only cabin th

the doctor entered his own house. She rose, an

gracious. Why, I was quite overcome. She is very different from her sister. What do you think Miss Ja

tor gravely. "Have they been gone long?" he asked, changing the subjec

ve kept on home, for I saw Miss J

?" There was a note o

little dog; that's how I know. She must be going to stay late. You look ti

l right. Have you looked at the slate lately? I'l

picked it up and held it to

ny that she should have given it to me to-day; and after Miss Jane's visit, too." Then he shut the office door, thr

lage. At her suggestion they had avoided the main road and had crossed the marsh by the foot-path,

stroking Meg's rough hair with her plump h

e water. Every time I got my ha

n the beac

cept Meg and t