. . Yep, this is
Eastboro Lights. . . . I'm the lightkeeper, yes. . . . Hey? . . . Miss
Graham? . . . Right next door. . . . Yes. . . . WHO?" Then, turning to
his companion, he said in an astonished voice: "It's somebody wants to
talk with you, Emeline."

"With ME?" Mrs. Bascom could hardly believe it. "Are you sure?"

"So they say. Asked me if I could get you to the 'phone without any
trouble. She's right here now," he added, speaking into the transmitter.
"I'll call her."

The housekeeper wonderingly took the receiver from his hand.

"Hello!" she began. "Yes, this is Mrs. Bascom. . . . Who? . . .
What? . . . OH!"

The last exclamation was almost a gasp, but Seth did not hear it. As she
stepped forward to the 'phone she had dropped her letter. Atkins went
over and picked it up. It lay face downward on the floor, and the last
page, with the final sentence and signature, was uppermost. He could
not help seeing it. "So we shall soon be together as of old. Your loving
brother, Benjamin."

When Mrs. Bascom turned away from the 'phone after a rather protracted
conversation she looked more troubled than ever. But Seth was not
looking at her. He sat in the rocking-chair and did not move nor raise
his head. She waited for him to speak, but he did not.

"Well," she said with a sigh, "I guess I must go. Good-by, Seth."

The lightkeeper slowly rose to his feet. "Emeline," he stammered, "you
ain't goin' without--"

He stopped without finishing the sentence. She waited a moment and then
finished it for him.

"I'll answer your question, if that's what you mean," she said. "And the
answer is no. All things considered, I guess that's best."

"But Emeline, I--I--"

"Good-by, Seth."

"Sha'n't I," desperately, "sha'n't I see you again?"

"I expect to be around here for another day or so. But I can't see
anythin' to be gained by our meetin'. Good-by."

Taking her letter and those addressed to Miss Graham from the table
she went out of the kitchen. Seth followed her as far as the door, then
turned and collapsed in the rocking-chair.

CHAPTER XIII

"JOHN BROWN" CHANGES HIS NAME

"So we shall soon be together again as of old. Your loving brother,
Benjamin."

The sentence which had met his eyes as he picked up the note which
his caller had dropped was still before them, burned into his memory.
Benjamin! "Bennie D."! the loathed and feared and hated Bennie D., cause
of all the Bascom matrimonial heartbreaks, ha