her spinsterhood. And this was
always followed by an emotion of disgust with himself that he should
ever have found the company of Roxana more to his liking than that of
the pleasant and wholesome Sarah.

When the Captain saw Miss Porter with the vinegar bottle in her hand, he
knew that the visitors were preparing an oyster roast, which, of course,
accounted for the fire of twigs and seaweed. Now, the other women stood
in a row, while Sarah, her face wreathed in smiles, came forward to
greet her old lover. This done, she formally presented Ichabod to the
other guests. The fisherman's increased embarrassment expressed itself
in a sheepish grin, when it suddenly dawned on him that every one of the
women there before him was unmarried. Dr. Hudson remarked afterward that
Ichabod looked to him as if he were convinced that each and every one
was "after him!"

Nevertheless, once the introductions were over, the Captain found
himself at ease in a manner quite surprising. Every one of the visitors
seemed to enter into the spirit of the affair with a whole-hearted
geniality that was infectious, and under this benignant influence the
host was filled with an unaccustomed happiness. He at once began to
assist in the roasting of the oysters, which the women had gathered from
the rocks. He gave them carte blanche to help themselves to plates and
forks and such other things as were needful from the shack.

None was so rude as to refer to Ichabod's reformation. But Sarah Porter,
whenever she caught his eye, gave him a look that spoke as plainly as
words:

"Ichabod Jones, at last I have found you a man, and I am proud of you!"

No doubt she congratulated herself, with justice, on the fact that her
talks with him had had much to do with this change. She was the only one
in the party of mature age; the others were comparatively young and
sprightly maidens. This selection of guests was due to the fine Italian
hand of the Doctor. Evidently, he was hard at work on a plan to make
Ichabod Jones a provider, rather than trying to find him a place as
housekeeper, in accordance with the fisherman's original request.

The hours passed delightfully for all--especially for the host whose
pleasure was edged by the novelty of the situation in which he found
himself. It was not until the moon showed in the east that the visitors
made ready for departure. Just before the party embarked, the boldest of
the maidens kissed the old man's weather-beaten