ou told me last night."

Miss Pease told of her plan and Captain Shad listened, at first with
astonishment, then with a troubled expression and at last with a
combination of both.

"There," said Miss Pease, in conclusion, "that is my plan. It means a
great deal to me and I hope it may mean something to Mary."

"It will be a wonderful opportunity for her," declared Mrs. Wyeth
emphatically.

"What do you think of it, Captain Gould?" asked Miss Pease.

Shadrach drew a long breath. "I--I don't know hardly what to say,
ma'am," he answered. "I can't hardly realize it yet, seems so. It
sartinly would be a wonderful chance for her and it's somethin' me and
Zoeth could never give her or think of givin'. But--but--"

"Of course," said Miss Pease, as he hesitated, "if she is needed very
much at home--if you feel you cannot spare her--"

"'Tain't that, ma'am," interrupted the Captain quickly. "Land knows
Zoeth and me would miss her awful, but we wouldn't let that stand in the
way--not of anything like this. But--but--well, to be right down honest,
ma'am, I don't know's we'd feel like havin' somebody else do so much
for her. Course we ain't well off, Zoeth and I ain't, but we ain't right
down poor, either. We've been used to doin' for ourselves and--"

And then Miss Pease had an inspiration.

"Oh, dear me!" she broke in hastily. "I do hope you haven't made a
mistake, Captain Gould. I hope you don't think I am offering this as a
charity or purely as a favor to Mary. No, indeed! I am asking it as a
favor to myself. I must have a companion, otherwise I cannot go. And
Mary is just the companion I need. I am very fond of her and I think she
likes me. I am not going to urge too much, Captain Gould, but I do hope
you will consider the matter with Mr. Hamilton and let me hear from you
soon. And I am hoping you will consent. I promise to take good care of
your girl and bring her back safe and sound in September. And I shall
not say one word of my great plan to her until you write me that I may."

So Captain Shadrach, the troubled expression still on his face, returned
on the afternoon train to South Harniss to tell his friend and partner
of Miss Pease's plan. Mary, who accompanied him to the Boston station,
wondered why he seemed so preoccupied and quiet. If she had known what
his thoughts were she would have wondered no longer.

Miss Pease planned to travel through Europe during the summer months,
and she had asked the Captain's