own
her cheeks, 'is it not weak, almost wicked of you, to doubt God's
providence in this way?'

"'Ah! how I wish it were their vessel,' she sobbed.

"'Captain Penny's wife and children would not thank you for that wish,'
said I. 'How glad I am that the good old man is safe!'

"The day wore away. A long day for us both. The gale did not increase,
and Mrs. Arthur at last began to listen to reason. The moon rose high
and bright; and after seeing the old lady to her bed, I went home to
give my father and the boys their supper.

"I found father very cross for having waited so long. 'What the devil,
Betsy!' cried he, 'kept you so late? The lads and I have been starving
for the last hour. When girls get sweethearts they can think of nothing
else.'

"'Mrs. Arthur felt anxious about her sons, and I stayed with her.'

"'What's the old fool afraid of? This cupful of wind, Penny's old
_Molly_ rode it out bravely. He told me he left the Arthurs in the
river. He thought they would be in by daybreak. Come, be quick, girl. As
I am to lose you so soon, I would make the most of you while you belong
to me.'

"His cheerful, hearty manner helped to raise my spirits, which had been
depressed by Mrs. Arthur's fretful anticipations of evil. I bustled
hither and thither, laughed and sung, and cooked father's mess of fresh
fish so much to his satisfaction, that he declared I should make a jewel
of a wife, and that he had not made up his mind whether he would part
with such a good cook. Without he married again, he was afraid he would
not get such another.

"'You must be quick then,' said I, 'or you will not have me for your
bridesmaid. I give you just three weeks for the courtship, for I shan't
remain single one day longer to cook the wedding dinner for you.'

"'You are saucy,' said he, filling his pipe. 'Davy will have to take
the helm himself, if he would keep you on the right tack. Clear the
decks now, and be off to your bed. If the gale lulls, I shall sail early
in the morning.'

"I removed the supper-things, and before I lighted my candle, lingered
for a few minutes at the back window, to take a last view of the sea. It
was a stormy but very beautiful night. The heavens were without a cloud.
The full moon cast broken gleams of silver upon the restless, tossing
waters, which scattered them into a thousand fragments of dazzling
brightness, as the heavy surf rolled in thunder against the beach.

"'Has the gale freshened, father?'