vines clambered up over the sides, forming a shelter from the burning
sun and a refuge from the wind when the days were cool.

Jasper was a frequent visitor at the Haven, and he was not slow to
notice the change that had come over David. Hitherto the old man had
been content to listen to the voice of the falls and utter brief and
almost mystic words about what the water would do. But latterly he had
given greater vent to his thoughts and enlarged upon the plans he had
been revolving in his mind.

It was a beautiful evening not long after Jasper had been at the Sign
of the Maple, that he was sitting with David and Betty in the
accustomed place. The captain had retired, and Mrs. Peterson was busy
in the kitchen. Jasper told of the progress that had been made at the
falls and how the engineers had finished their preliminary work, and
had declared the undertaking most feasible. The definite start of
building would not begin until the next spring, though in the meantime
necessary preparations would be made so that the work could be pushed
forward then as rapidly as possible. Logs would be needed for building
purposes, and many large poles suitable for carrying the wires to the
city and throughout the country.

"I have been requested to undertake this work," Jasper told them, "and
so will be busy all the fall and winter. In a few weeks I hope to have
a number of men and teams at work in the woods. It will be a fine
thing for Creekdale as it will put so much money in circulation by
giving employment to all available men during the winter when as a rule
little is going on, so I understand."

"Oh, won't that be nice," Betty exclaimed, while her eyes danced with
animation. "My brother will be able to earn money right at home.
Jimmy has been planning to go to the city next winter to earn some
money to help pay off the mortgage on our place. Mother doesn't want
him to go as he is only sixteen, but he thinks he should be earning
something."

"You have some fine trees on your place, have you not?" Jasper asked in
reply.

"Oh, yes, lots of them. You see, our farm is part of the old Dinsmore
Manor, and no logs have been cut on it for years as they have not been
worth much. My father said before he died that they would bring a lot
of money some day, and they would make us rich. That's why mother has
been holding on to the place and trying to pay off the mortgage. But
she finds it hard work. Jimmy works for the ne