would not
be wrecked. He would not hurt me, nor let me hurt myself. That is why he
went away!"

"But," and Devant was himself again, broken, beaten, but himself, "if
Captain Billy should ever leave you--should die, you understand? Will
you not promise to send for me? When you are older, you will judge less
harshly. Will you promise to let me come next to Captain Billy?" He
stretched out his hands, pleadingly. Janet hesitated for a moment, then
she placed her slim, brown hands in his.

"I do not know. How can I tell? I thank you, but I cannot see any
further than Cap'n Billy! Good bye."

"Good bye, my child!" Their hands dropped, and they went their ways.

Janet was not permitted to reach the Light without further trouble. The
day was doomed to be freighted with heavy cares. In the depths of the
scrub oaks she came upon Mark Tapkins, sitting upon a log and looking as
nearly tragic as he, poor, slow fellow, could look. When he heard Janet,
he raised his heavy eyes to her face.

"I've been waitin' fur you," he said. "I saw you talkin' t' Mr. Devant
as I came cross lots. I've got t' tell you!"

"Tell me what, Mark?" The girl thought another outburst of love was
coming and it seemed such a shabby, poor little thing, in the gloom of
recent happenings. And yet this roused her pity. It was so much to Mark,
and it was his most sacred offering. She should not despise it.

"'Bout Maud Grace!" Janet started. So it was not herself after all!

"What is the matter with her now?" she asked.

"She's gone!"

"Gone where?"

"The nation only knows!"

"Well, Mark, I never have understood your interest in Maud Grace. You
couldn't act more devoted, if you were her lover, except in that case
you would not have gone on that foolish hunt for her boarder."

Janet was impatient. She wanted to get away over to the dunes, to peace
and Billy.

"When Maud gets ready, she'll come home. Doesn't her mother know?"

"Janet, you've got t' stay an' listen!"

"Mark, I'm tired. I cannot help any; I want to go home."

"You've got t' listen!" Mark repeated doggedly; and as the girl took a
step forward, he caught her skirt in his trembling fingers. "First I
took an interest 'cause--'cause I thought I loved you, an' I didn't want
you smirched!" The words were flung out desperately, and they had the
desired effect. Janet started and then stood rigidly intent.

"Smirched?" she repeated slowly, "what do you mean?" And yet as she
asked the ques