!" The girl started. "I know all 'bout
him," soothed Billy, "an' I don't hold it agin ye that ye let me think
it was a woman painter. Them is young folks' ways, an' ye didn't lie,
Janet, ye jest didn't tell straight out. But Mark an' me, we had our
eyes 'pon ye, an' was lookin' out fur yer interest." Billy paused for
breath. "In yer future dealin' with the painter-man, Janet, jest do
'cordin' to yer new light. I ain't goin' t' worry or fret. Ye allus was
one t' act clear headed if ye had hold o' facts."

Janet dropped upon Billy's knee and hid her face against his. From such
a shelter she could speak more freely; but oh! how different the
confession was from what it once might have been!

"It was the first time I ever deceived you, Cap'n Daddy. I hated myself
for it. But, Daddy, he never cared for me--in that way, dear! He cares
only for his beautiful pictures. He used me to help him with them, it
was I who did not know the difference, just at first. Even after I knew,
I wanted to have a share, but, Daddy, dear, women cannot help in that
way, more's the pity--or mercy! I see it all very, very clearly now;
but, dear,"--here a kind of fierceness shook the low voice,--"he is not
like--the one who broke my mother's heart! You and I must remember that.
When I wanted to help him, no matter what any one thought, he would not
let me! He saved me from myself. I understand it now, and I shall bless
him while I live. I--I flung myself at him, Daddy, but he went away
because he was too noble to hurt me!"

"He did that?" Billy held the girl close and smiled radiantly.

"Yes, yes; he did that!"

Billy recalled his and Mark's visit to the hut, and a feeling of shame
stilled all further confession. He, as well as Janet, was beginning to
understand.

"It seems like the clouds has lifted, Janet, an' I'm thinkin' there'll
never be no more 'twixt us."

"Never! dear, dear Daddy!" the girl hugged him to her.

"I ain't been so happy an' care free fur years, Janet. It seems like
we've cleared the decks, not fur action so much as smooth sailin'!"

"That's it, Daddy, smooth sailing. Just you and I to the very end!"

"Come, Janet, we must get t' bed. We'll sleep on all this new happiness.
Yer room's ready; 't was her room fust. She said over an' agin that it
was a safe harbor. An' so 't is, Janet, so 't is, an' allus shall be fur
whatever was hers! Good night, child, an' God bless ye! If yer only
fair-minded ye can see that ye don't ge