t Mrs. Lunn remained
tranquil, and glanced up at him inquiringly.

"It relates to the future," explained Captain Asa Shaw. "I make no
doubt you have seen what my feelin's have been this good while. I can
offer you a good home, and I shall want you to have your liberty."

"I enjoy a good home and my liberty now," said Mrs. Lunn stiffly,
looking straight before her.

"I mean liberty to use my means, and to have plenty to do with, so as
to make you feel comfortable," explained the captain, reddening. "Mis'
Lunn, I'm a straight-forward business man, and I intend business now.
I don't know any of your flowery ways of sayin' things, but there
ain't anybody in Longport I'd like better to see at the head of my
house. You and I ain't young, but we"--

"Don't say a word, sir," protested Mrs. Lunn. "You can get you just as
good housekeepers as I am. I don't feel to change my situation just at
present, sir."

"Is that final?" said Captain Shaw, looking crestfallen. "Come now,
Maria! I'm a good-hearted man, I'm worth over forty thousand dollars,
and I'll make you a good husband, I promise. Here's the minister on
your hands, I know. I did feel all ashore when I found you'd promised
to take him in. I tried to get a chance to speak with you before you
went off, but when I come home from New York 't was the first news I
heard. I don't deem it best for you; you can't make nothin' out o' one
boarder, anyway. I tried it once myself."

"Excuse me, Mr. Shaw," said Mrs. Lunn coldly; "I know my own business
best. You have had my answer, sir." She added in a more amiable tone,
"Not but what I feel obliged to you for payin' me the compliment."

There was a sudden loud knocking at the side door, which startled our
friends extremely. They looked at each other with apprehension; then
Mrs. Lunn slowly rose and answered the summons.

The gentle voice of the giant was heard without. "Oh, Mis' Lunn," said
Captain Crowe excitedly, "I saw some elegant mackerel brought ashore,
blown up from the south'ard, I expect, though so late in the season;
and I recalled that you once found some acceptable. I thought 't would
help you out."

"I'm obliged to you, Captain Crowe," said the mistress of the house;
"and to think of your bringin' 'em yourself this drenchin' day! I take
it very neighborly, sir." Her tone was entirely different from that in
which she had conducted so decisive a conversation with the guest in
the sitting-room. They heard the front d