e was most thankful.

It did not take the boat long to run to the Sinclair shore, and here in
a snug place, safe from the wind, she was beached.

"We can never thank you for what you have done for us to-day," Lois
remarked as she and Margaret walked with Jasper to the house. "You
have saved our lives."

"Don't thank me," Jasper replied. "It was a pleasure for me to do what
I did."

"But how did you know we were out there?" Margaret asked.

"It was Tom who saw you first and pointed your boat out to me. He is
the one you should thank."

"But why was Tom looking toward the island?" Lois enquired. "Your
explanation does not satisfy me."

"Do you imagine that I was spying upon your little outing?" Jasper
questioned.

"Not exactly spying. I don't like that word. But you must have known
that we were there."

"Yes, I did. I saw you go over this afternoon, and when the wind
sprang up it was only natural to suppose you would have trouble in
getting home. That is all there is about it."

"And so you kept watch, and then came to our assistance?"

"Yes."

Lois said no more just then, but walked quietly to the house. She was
doing considerable thinking, however, and when she and Margaret went
upstairs to change their wet clothes, she again referred to the matter.

"It is just like him," Margaret remarked. "He knew that we were over
there and that our lives would be in danger on the water. Not many men
would have thought of such a thing."

Lois made no reply, but there was a deep happiness in her heart. She
believed that Jasper had been thinking of her throughout the day and
that she was always much in his mind. Margaret somewhat divined her
thoughts and twined her arms around her neck.

"I believe he thinks a great deal of you, dear," she said, "and I am so
glad. It is only natural, for who could resist you? You are as sweet
and loveable as can be. If I were a man I am sure I would fall in love
with you the first time I met you."

"You did it, anyway, didn't you?" Lois asked, in order to hide her
embarrassment. "But there is the car," she added. "I wonder what
brings father home so early?"

Going downstairs, they found Mr. Sinclair and Jasper seated upon the
verandah in a corner protected from the wind by heavy vines.

"You are early to-day, Father," Lois remarked as she gave him the
customary kiss. "We generally have to wait dinner for you."

"It is quite necessary that I should get back e