does. I was
considerable of a bully myself afore Betsy got me on the parson's books.
Now I'm the most peaceable critter ever you see. Your turn's comin',
Miss Colton. All you got to do is be patient."

"Joshua!" said Mrs. Atwood, in mild reproof. "You mustn't mind his talk,
Miss Colton. He's a terrible joker."

Miss Colton changed the subject. She did not so much as look at me again
during the meal and, after it was over, she went to her room, explaining
that she was very tired and would try to get a little sleep.

I had discovered that the lighthouse, being close to the mainland, was
equipped with a telephone. Now I begged permission to use it. I called
up Denboro and asked to be connected with the Colton home. I felt very
sure that there would be no sleep in the big house that night and I
wished to relieve their anxiety and to send word to Mother. Mr. Colton
himself answered my call.

I announced my identity and explained where I was and that his daughter
was in my care and perfectly safe.

"Thank God!" was the fervent exclamation at the other end of the wire,
and the voice which uttered it was shaking with emotion. "Stay where you
are a moment, Paine. Let me tell my wife. She is almost crazy. Hold the
wire."

I held the wire and waited. The next voice which reached my ears was
Mrs. Colton's. She asked a dozen questions, one after the other. Was
Mabel safe? Was I sure she was safe? Wasn't the poor child almost dead
after all she'd been through? What had happened? What was she doing away
over there in that dreadful place? Why had I taken her there?

I answered as well as I could, telling briefly of the collision in
the fog and what followed. The explanation appeared to be rather
unsatisfactory.

"You take the wire, James," I heard the lady say. "I can't make it all
out. Mabel is at some horrid lighthouse and there is no kerosene, or
something. The poor child! Alone there, with that man! Tell him she must
be brought home at once. It is dreadful for her! Think what she must
have suffered! And with HIM! What will people say? Tell him to bring her
home! The idea! I don't believe a word--"

"Hello--hello, Paine!" Colton was at the 'phone once more. "Can you get
Mabel--Miss Colton, over to Wellmouth, do you think?"

"Yes. I will get a boat as soon as I can. Miss Colton is in her room,
asleep I hope. She is very tired and I think she should rest until
daylight. I will get her to Wellmouth in time for the morning