along that you care for more than the whole world. And then
see what you'd do. See what it would mean to give her up!"

I was seeing. I knew now what it meant.

I rose and went out of the boathouse. I did not care to meet anyone or
speak with anyone. I strolled along the path by the bluff, my old walk,
that which I had taken so many times and with such varied feelings,
never with such miserable ones as now.

The golden-rod, always late blooming on the Cape, bordered the path with
gorgeous yellow. The leaves of the scrub oaks were beginning to turn,
though not to fall. I walked on and entered the grove where she and I
had met after our adventure with Carver and the stranded skiff. I turned
the bend and saw her coming toward me.

I stood still and she came on, came straight to me and held out her
hand.

"I was waiting for you," she said. "I was on my way to your house and I
saw you coming--so I waited."

"You waited," I stammered. "Why?"

"Because I wished to speak to you and I did not want that--that Mr.
Rogers of yours to interrupt me. Why did you go away yesterday without
even letting me thank you for what you had done? Why did you do it?"

"Because--because you were very busy and--and I was tired. I went home
and to bed."

"You were tired. You must have been. But that is no excuse, no good one.
I came down and found you were gone without a word to me. And you had
done so much for me--for my father!"

"Your father thanked me this morning, Miss Colton. I saw him in his room
and he thanked me. I did not deserve thanks. I was lucky, that was all."

"Father does not call it luck. He told me what you said to him."

"He told you! Did he tell you all I told him?"

"I--I think so. He told me who you were; what your real name was."

"He did! And you were still willing to meet me!"

"Yes. Why not? Does it make any difference that you are Mr.
Bennett--instead of Mr. Paine?"

"But my father was Carleton Bennett--the--the--You must have heard of
him."

"I never knew your father. I do know his son. And I am very proud to
know him."

"But--but, Miss Colton."

"Tell me," she interrupted, quickly, "have you seen Mr. Taylor? He is
here in Denboro."

"Yes. I have seen him."

"And he told you about the Lane? That he has bought it?"

"Yes."

"And you will not be," with a smile, "driven from Denboro by that cross
old Captain Dean?"

"I shall not be driven--no."

"Then Mr. Taylor did help you. He promised me