Janet of the Dunes

iving room with his daily burden in his arms. The girl was neither deep asleep nor wide awake.

he opposite side was Captain David's sleeping apartment, into which he carried his helpless wife every evening before h

s sorrow; and he knew that it was to b

us voice was saying, "that the sun,

same old sun as rises an' sets fur

have for me, David. All my nights are bad

, reasonably comfortable? P'r'aps the pillers ought' be a mite higher. How's that? An

er is all on one page! Since He thought wise to take the usefulness from my members, I'm glad He made folks

m always willin', when I

is all alike. How would you fee

r mind to it, wife, ye'll see that if I do my duty, I must sleep-some. Howsomever, Mark Tapkins will have his turn to-night, same a

f you had laid awake all night, you'd have considerable c

tumbled over a stool on his way to the stove; he was dizzy

ward!" he muttered apologeticall

er fur nothin'! No matter if I do have t' go t' the poorhouse on account of yer shiftlessness. I, stricken an' helpless! She can come here fur nothin'! I jest know, David, t

e of water he was bearing from the

d put up with a blunderin' old feller like me. Ye better reconsider

, did you? If one egg has got t' be given,

e; there is two apiece

the heartlessness t' invite co

s good this mornin'; that's a sign of clear weather. The biscuits is riz fit t' ki

ing. "I think Janet is downright lazy an' triflin'. Lyin' in bed whe

hen it ain't more'n fair t' state that Jane

erliness, an' excuse her fur slackn

Susan

usan Jane drank from the cup of coffee that David held to he

so amusin'! It's wonderfu

u think my mind ain't right. You're treatin' me like a

perfect health and outdoor nature; but one thing she realized. While she stayed at the lighthouse she must share David's burden. Her se

n David, take your place at the table. I'll do the rest. You won't mind, Sus

net, t' call Billy in that fashion. Father see

"I'm saucy and bossy, Susan Jane, but I've good points, too. Here, I'll spread your biscuits a

rned to her breakfast with an appetite that was one

s appearance and manners, the girl did the housework, prepared the midday meal, and thought her busy thoughts.

e wanted t' go up t' the Hills this mornin', an' peddle yer good loo

'm going to Bluff Head this afternoon. I may not have many

I heard that Eliza Jane ain't goin' t'-day. She's takin' washin' in fur the boarders an' makin' money out of it. Eliza Ja

t la

ers!" she ans

rders were eating en masse, and the Quintonites, in various capacities, were serving them; so the girl on the highway had the place to herself. The lighthouse rose red and gleaming from Cap'n David's garden spot; the bay, blue and rippling, spread in and out of its tiny sub-bays where the land stretched like five fingers of a hand, with the blue water in between. To the west

ing had been indulged in, while the master of the place fancied to pass his summers there, but years of recent negle

owed under a dense rosebush and pushed her way through a basement window, almost

to the library: there was little else of interest in the place to her. For years this spot had been her secret treasure nook. When, as a little child, she had entered the place with Eliza Jane, it was not as other children, but with an inborn yearning to see and touch those wonderful rows of books. She was permitted to dust those she could reach, and her touch was reverent and gentle. The pi

family home. But the sons of the race were rovers and often years would slip by without a personal inspection. James

her. She mounted the little steps and took a book, with unerring touch, from the fifth shelf, then she sprang lightly to the floor

ng the cushions on the window seat, and, shielded by the heavy c

ed the place of the last reading. The girl's eyes, blue now as the summer sky, fell upon the words of delight, and instantl

lf in. Drive back to the station and wait for the baggage train. See that everything is carefully loaded on the wagon from the livery. You can get me a bite w

s,

ost office and

blood ro

nt of the house. She heard the wheels outside turn and go rapidly away. A grating of the lock of

man, believing himself alone, spo

books. Everything looks in good condition."

ger, but the mast

ase upon a divan and himself in a deep leather chair. He was tall, handsome, and elegant. The iron gray head pressing the chair-back was one to draw the second glance from a st

hope in other directions, she must choose more sanely. She ventured a cough. So slight a sound in that silence might well have shaken the strongest nerves. The man in the chair, however, did not move, but his eyes fell instantly upon

out and be fri

yes full of amusement. There was an awkward pause w

It sounded brusque and unmannerly, but it

ed upon the bright face,-"however, possession is nine-

hakespearean in the gathering confusion. "I only thought-do you no

romisingly final. I've been

ur cellar window, coming up here and-reading your books! I began

ghed with k

ter me, Miss-Mi

ot remember me, but I saw you once, years and years ago. I was at the Li

I was the Government, inspecting Captain David's domain. It all comes to me quite clearly. I remember, you put your back against a certain closet and intimated in no doubtful language that it was private property. You were a bewitching small child, Miss Janet

ne and a sudden moisture of the blue eyes touched the man. He spo

ok-lover by n

nothing, but I know that everything lies hidden in the fog. I wonder what kind of a day lies there

open window and the man took a long breat

shelf by the door now. I do not seem to be able to get any further than this-" She passed the book to him. "I've been at this boo

"and he's held you three months, Miss Janet, af

xplain, only he sings to me, and he talks to me

u! Allow me." He handed out the key that had given him entrance to his home. "Permit me to give you royal freedom to what, sur

d you! I fear you a

l wander with you through these-" He waved his hand toward the shelves. "I may be able to point out some new pleasure-paths; I am certain you can make me love old o

h! how can I

the time has flown!" He arose and Janet slipped to her

, Janet of the Dunes!" For

nd was gone, leaving a trailing ripple of