Janet of the Dunes

too keenly from Susan's tongue and complaints to feel any honest sorrow in her passing. Her giving them the opportunity for so comfortable and gratifying a funeral was, perhaps,

rself, for whom long ago William Henry had always a smile, and a gentle nickname. It was beautiful, to the trouble-touched girl of the dunes, to think

could have the joy that seemed to us all a burden. That's the way it is when the 'former things have passed away,'"-th

harms together for Susan Jane's funeral. There would be a reunion of all Quinton that day. There would be

st. "Janet's 'bout as useful at such times as a flounder. Lord save us! how I have fell

leached out and thin, her eyes re

. Jo G. paused to gaze at the sodden face of the

ne!" falt

ournin' fur

her buryin'. I ain't got no appetite f

aud Grace! You look as if you, 'stead of me, had frizzled over the cook stove all summer! It's bad enough to think you didn't land a beau, without lookin' as if you felt it! That Janet's goin's on hasn't served her neither, but she ain't goin' t' gloat over you while you've got a ma what

s mostly. Mr. Fitch said,"-a weak color flushed Maud's face for an instant,-"Mr. Fitch said she felt herself hi

of the hair from the heads of several dead and gone relatives; "but Janet wasn't after his kind. She was a modil!" The

ering force in order to break after the excitement of the funeral was over.

" quivered Mrs. Jo G. "'T ain't proper. I guess Cap'n

shriek of one of the twins, whose long thin hair she had jerked b

spectin' girl. But I don't want you should

shaking her younger sister

nous murmur. Maud Grace's flat, expressionl

r! That's worse t' understand than modil. I

' give you a weapon in case Janet takes t' crowin' over you-an' she ain't above it. She's

he lighthouse stairs, pausing as usual upon every landing. There was no song upon his lips now. For the first time in thirty years, Davy felt

her, an' course I can't complain. I ought t' be thankful William Henry didn't begrudge me them years. An' I am thankful! Yes, I am thankful, an' somehow I believe the good God ain't goin' t' let my heaven be blighted. In some way, He's goin' t

t a joy with it that r

in upon me, that most all of life's riddles get answered, when ye get up high enough t' leave hamperin' things below. Downstairs the loss of Susan Jane kills everything but the heartache; but up here," Davy walked a

e farewell to Davy in the Light made

turn'll come." Then he went down to the little waiting room,

in! Then, suddenly, he was aware of a hand upon his shoulder. So tense were his nerves that had he looked up and seen eithe

how I used to play 'hungry man' w

amed. "'Have ye had any supper?' yer use t' a

Man? Why, I can see you just as plain as plain, Davy! You used to stand inside

returned. He saw the look in Janet's eyes that called for bravery

e look t' others. Once ye get outside of most things

ht, Mr. Hungry Man!" Janet p

ferin' fur f

ray, neatly spread with food. "It isn't leavings," she explained, placing the dishes before him; "Eliz

o them justice; they're flakes. An' that cof

going to eat with you, Davy,"-she drew up a stool,-"eat and talk." Davy fell to with a su

or you," but, recalling Susan Jane's helplessness, she said ins

s speech,-"I reckon I'll have t' stay lonel

ap'n Billy?" Davy gulped his mo

but some one 'sides Billy may have something

nything to do from strangers, and so I thought if you would let me, I'd share with you a

during sleep-filled days and lonely nights up alo

d!" The girl droop

was helpin' a

ave all gone

gn trade," comforted Davi

am going to make you and my Cap'n Billy Daddy just

'll be powerful thankful t' have ye around. 'T ain't any way fur a man t' live, without the woman's touch

d now I'm going downstairs to make things homey. I wish the sun rose ear

Janet, an'

y to Janet. Hope had buoyed her up, the hope that Thornly would let her prove that she was stronger and braver than that silly creature he had once thought her, but, as time dragged on and no call came from the hut upon the Hills, hope died. Then she had see

he door latch. She would never call him again! She had not looked for t

girl after his visit to the hut; the sudden

s. He might be foolish enough to use his "off night" haunting the Light-his actions were curious of late-but had it been Mark, he would have been sitting patiently on the outer steps. Janet waited a minute and then went noiselessly into the sitting room, and tiptoed to the bedroom door. Then she started back, nearly dropping the tray of empty dishes. T

d Gr

fled cry and then sat upright

ut the question. It sounded as if Maud were in her ow

's box! I know what you think, Janet, you think I'm a t

oom, Maud. I'll light the

to the next room. There she sat down in Susan's old rocker and waited until Janet mad

The steady look Janet bent upon her angered and r

et replied, "but I'm not bad enou

h white and her mis

tell anybody, but I've got t' have money to go away.

ice had the ring of scorn in it,

ying to keep the tears back. "You ain't any too

ed or anticipated effect up

eep, Maud Grace," she said, "you don't seem to have

Janet. She must have help; and this girl, doubted by all t

go after him!

uld not free herself

's gone, an' he don't write, an' I know he's never comin' back. Somethin' tells me. An' oh! Janet, I've got t' have him! I have, I have! I only meant t' take the money till I got to him. I found his card in hi

ing made bitter by the insinuation of her simila

he doesn't want you, do

d's tone was dog

" The memory of the weak, boyish boarder at

es

ce! I wouldn't say such a thi

ust like me. Somehow I can't think you are; but, Jan

ts dumb agony met no understanding emotion. A stir

me, that I had been a listenin' an' takin' in what wasn't intended fur me. I'm glad I did!" His slow face lifted proudly. "I'm glad I was used, so t' speak, fur this end. Maud Grace, you ain't got any call t' bother Janet no more. I und

oolish business. You have no right to interfere. You have no right here! She sha

at her gentl

his kind, the city breeds 'em! Maybe the bracin' air down here will help him. Come along, Maud Grace, it's nateral enough fur

, that poor Maud had so diligently sought, from the top shelf of the closet, and put it in