ked at it for some time. The words "Love's-Charm," kept
running through her mind, and she wondered in what way that little
trinket would be a Love-Charm to her. Suddenly and impulsively she
raised it to her lips. Then she gave a quick, startled glance around,
fearful lest she had been observed. She smiled at what she considered
her foolishness, replaced the pin, and pushed the canoe from the shore.

When she reached home she was surprised that her father and Dane had
not returned. The days were much shorter now, so the shades of night
were stealing over the land as she entered the house. She had noticed
a great heap of drift-wood piled upon the shore, but thought little
about it, as it was a common occurrence on these cool nights for the
young people to have a bonfire. She found Mammy preparing supper, with
the child playing upon the floor nearby. The fire-place was aglow, and
the flames, licking about several sticks of white maple, illuminated
the room. It was a cheery, homelike scene, but Jean's first thoughts
were for the hunters. She expressed her anxiety to Mammy, and asked
what could be keeping them so late.

"Doan yo' worry 'bout dem, chile," the old woman replied. "Dey's well
able to take care of demselves. Yo' might hab reason to be anxious if
yo' daddy was alone. But he's got Mistah Dane wif him, an' dat young
man knows de woods better'n I used to know my cookin'-stove in Ol'
Connec. No, yo' needn't worry one bit. Dey'll turn up all right,
'specially when dey's good an' hungry; dat's jes like men."

But Jean did worry, especially when another hour passed and the men had
not returned. Supper had been ready for some time, and even Mammy was
beginning to show her impatience. She fussed with the baby, glanced
often toward the fire, where the dishes were being kept hot, and at
last lighted the dip-candles which she had placed upon the table.

"De Cun'l likes to hab de room bright," she remarked, "'specially when
he comes home. He kin see yo' pretty face all de better, Missie Jean.
An' Mistah Dane'll need a good light when he comes in, an' he'll be
'sprised when he sees how yo' look. I nebber saw yo' look better'n yo'
do jes now, wif yo' hair fixed up so nice, de lobely col'r in yo'
cheeks, an' wearin' dat beau'ful dress yo' brung from Ol' Connec."

Jean turned and smiled upon the woman. She had been standing at the
open door for some time, watching and listening for the hunters.

"You must