not flatter me, Mammy, or you will make me vain," she
replied. "Oh, I wish they would come! I am getting so anxious."

Scarcely had she finished speaking when the absent ones appeared
suddenly before her. Seeing her father leaning heavily on Dane's arm,
she gave a slight cry of fear, and darted to his side.

"Daddy, daddy, what is the matter?" she asked. "Are you hurt?"

"Let me get into the house, dear, and I shall tell you," the Colonel
replied. "I feel very tired."

Seated before the fire, and later at the table, the story of the fight
with the moose was told. The Colonel described the scene most vividly,
and gave the courier great credit. He said nothing, however, about the
quarrel, neither did Dane refer to it. That had passed with the
running water over which they had clasped hands of enduring friendship.
It was well, they were both aware, that none should know of it but
themselves.

Jean was greatly interested in this adventure, and she watched her
father with beaming eyes, forgetting at times her supper. Dane thought
that he had never seen her look so beautiful. He admired the dress she
was wearing, and he was pleased to see the Love-Charm at her throat.
He observed the flickering light dancing upon her soft, wavy hair, and
the varying expressions playing upon her face as she listened to her
father. His heart was full of joy, and he realised more than ever
before how pleasant it was to return from the hills to the light and
warmth of a home where love dwelt.

They had finished their supper, and the Colonel was resting upon a
settle near the fire, when a knock sounded upon the door, and a number
of young people at once entered. They were in the gayest of moods, and
surrounding Jean and Dane, they led them out of the house. Down to the
shore they hurried, where the big bonfire was blazing merrily, and
great forked flames were leaping high into the air.

"What is the meaning of this, Mammy?" the Colonel asked, as soon as the
young people had left. "What is going on to-night?"

"It's a dance 'bout de fire, Cun'l," the old woman explained. "De
young folks hab been plannin' all dis bressed day to s'prize Missie
Jean an' Mistah Dane t'night. Dey's been cookin' an' cookin', an'
whisperin' mysterious like, an' laffin' an' laffin' to split dere
sides."

"What about?"

"Why, doan yo' know, Cun'l?" and Mammy looked her surprise. "Jes as
soon as de young folks heard de news 'bout Missie Jean an'