\"But——but——sheisn’tthatkindofagirl。\"
\"Howdoyouknow？Youdidn’tputhertothetest。Youowedherthat。Itseemstomeyouoweittohernow。\"
Theanswertothiswasonhistongue。Itwasreadybehindhisclosedlips，eagertoburstforth。Thathedidn’tlovetheDavidsongirl，neverhadlovedher。Thatduringthepastmonthhehadcometorealizetherewasbutonewomaninthewideworldforhim。Anddidthatwomanmeanwhatshesaidaboutwaitingyears——andyears——
providedshecared？Anddidshecare？
Hedidn’tutteronewordofthis。Hewantedto，butitseemedsopreposterous。Suchanidiotic，outrageousthingtoask。Yetitisprobablethathewouldhaveaskeditiftheyoungladyhadgivenhimthechance。Butshedidnot；afterasidelongglanceathisface，shehurriedlyrosefromtherockandannouncedthatshemustbegettingbacktothehouse。
\"Ihavesomepackingtodo，\"sheexplained；\"and，besides，Ithinkitisgoingtorain。\"
\"But，MissGraham，I——\"
Abigdropofrainsplashinguponhisshoeconfirmedtheweatherprophecy。Shebegantowalkbrisklytowardthebungalow，andhewalkedatherside。
\"Anotherstorm，\"shesaid。\"Ishouldthinktheonewehavejustpassedthroughwassufficientforawhile。IhopeMrs。Bascomwon’tgetwet。\"
\"Shehasgonetothevillage，hasn’tshe？\"
\"Yes。Shehasreceivedsomemessageorother——Idon’tknowhowitcame——whichsentheroffinahurry。Aliverycarriagecameforher。Shewillbebackbeforenight。\"
\"Atkinshasgone，too。Hehadsomeerrands，Ibelieve。Ican’tmakeoutwhathascomeoverhimoflate。Hehaschangedgreatly。
Heusedtobesojollyandgood-humored，exceptwhenfemalepicnickerscame。Nowheisassolemnasanowl。Whenhewentawayhescarcelyspokeaword。Ithoughtheseemedtobeintrouble，butwhenIaskedhim，heshutmeupsopromptlythatIdidn’tpressthematter。\"
\"Didhe？That’sodd。Mrs。Bascomseemedtobeintrouble，too。I
thoughtshehadbeencryingwhenshecameoutofherroomtogotothecarriage。Shedeniedit，buthereyeslookedred。Whatcanbethematter？\"
\"Idon’tknow。\"
\"NorI。Mr。——er——Brooks——OrshallIstillcallyou’Brown’？\"
\"No。Brownisdead；drowned。Lethimstayso。\"
\"Verywell。Mr。Brooks，hasitoccurredtoyouthatyourMr。Atkinsisapeculiarcharacter？Thatheactspeculiarly？\"
\"HehasactedpeculiarlyeversinceIknewhim。Buttowhatparticularpeculiaritydoyourefer？\"
\"Hisqueerbehavior。SeveraltimesIhaveseenhim——Iamalmostsureitwashe——hidingorcrouchingbehindthesandhillsattherearofourbungalow。\"
\"Youhave？Why，I——\"
Hehesitated。Beforehecouldgoonorshecontinue，theraincameinadeluge。Theyreachedtheporchjustintime。
\"Well，I’msafeandreasonablydry，\"shepanted。\"I’mafraidyouwillbedrenchedbeforeyougettothelights。Don’tyouwantanumbrella？\"
\"No。No，indeed，thankyou。\"
\"Well，youmusthurrythen。Good-by。\"
\"But，MissGraham，\"anxiously，\"Ishallseeyouagainbeforeyougo。
To-morrow，atbathingtime，perhaps？\"
\"Judgingbytheoutlookjustatpresent，bathingwillbeoutofthequestionto-morrow。\"
\"ButIwanttoseeyou。Imust。\"
Sheshookherheaddoubtfully。\"Idon’tknow，\"shesaid。\"Ishallbeverybusygettingreadytoleave；butperhapswemaymeetagain。\"
\"Wemust。I——MissGraham，I——\"
Shehadclosedthedoor。Heranhomewardthroughtherain，thestormwhichsoakedhimtotheskinbeingbutatriflecomparedtothetornadoinhisbreast。
Hespentthebalanceofthedaysomehow，hecouldnothavetoldhow。
Therainandwindcontinued；sixo’clockcame，andSethshouldhavereturnedanhourbefore，buttherewasnosignofhim。HewonderedifMrs。Bascomhadreturned。Hehadnotseenthecarriage，butshemighthavecomewhilehewasinsidethehouse。Thelightkeeper’snonappearancebegantoworryhimatrifle。
Atseven，asitwasdark，hetookuponhimselftheresponsibilityofclimbingthewindingstairsineachtowerandlightingthegreatlanterns。Itwasthefirsttimehehaddoneit，butheknewhow，andthedutywassuccessfullyaccomplished。Then，asAtkinswasstillabsentandtherewasnothingtodobutwait，hesatinthechairinthekitchenandthought。Occasionally，anditshowedthetrendofhisthoughts，heroseandpeeredfromthewindowacrossthedarktothebungalow。Inthelivingroomofthelatterstructurealightburned。Attenitwasextinguished。
AthalfpasttenhewenttoSeth’sbedroom，foundameagerassortmentofpens，inkandnotepaper，returnedtothekitchen，satdownbythetableandbegantowrite。
Foranhourhethought，wrote，toreupwhathehadwritten，andbeganagain。Atlasttheresultofhislaborreadsomethinglikethis：
\"DEARMISSGRAHAM：
\"Icouldnotsayitthisafternoon，althoughifyouhadstayedI
thinkIshould。ButImustsayitnoworitmaybetoolate。I
can’tletyougowithoutsayingit。Iloveyou。Willyouwaitforme？Itmaybeaverylongwait，althoughGodknowsImeantotryharderthanIhaveevertriedforanythinginmylife。IfIliveI
willmakesomethingofmyselfyet，withyouasmyinspiration。Youknowyousaidifagirlreallycaredforamanshewouldwillinglywaityearsforhim。Doyoucareformeasmuchasthat？Withyou，orforyou，IbelieveIcanaccomplishanything。DOyoucare？
\"RUSSELLBROOKS。\"
Heputthisinanenvelope，sealedandaddressedit，andwithoutstoppingtoputoneithercaporraincoatwentoutinthenight。
Therainwasstillfalling，althoughnotasheavily，butthewindwascominginfiercesqualls。Hedescendedthepathtothecove，flounderingthroughthewetbushes。Atthefootofthehillhewassurprisedtofindthesaltmarshaseaofwaternotavestigeofgroundabovethesurface。Thiswasindeedarecord-breakingtide，suchashehadneverknownbefore。Hedidnotpausetoreflectupontidesorsuchtrivialities，but，withagrowlatbeingobligedtomakethelongdetour，heroundedtheendofthecoveandclimbeduptothedoorofthebungalow。Undertheedgeofthatdoorhetuckedthenotehehadwritten。Assoonasthiswasaccomplishedhebecameawarethathehadexpressedhimselfveryclumsily。Hehadnotwrittenashemight。Adozenbrilliantthoughtscametohim。Hemustrewritethatnoteatallhazards。
Sohespentfivefranticminutestryingtocoaxthatenvelopefromunderthedoor。But，inhiscaretopushitfarenough，ithaddroppedbeyondthesill，andhecouldnotreachit。Thethingwasdoneforbetterorforworse。Perfectlycertainthatitwasforworse，hesplashedmournfullybacktothelights。Inthelanternroomoftheright-handtowerhespenttheremainderofthenight，occasionallywanderingoutonthegallerytonotetheweather。
Thestormwasdyingout。Thesquallswerelessandlessfrequent，andtherainhadbeensucceededbyathickfog。Thebreakerspoundedinthedarkbelowhim，andfromafarthefoghornsmoanedandwailed。Itwasabadnight，anightduringwhichnolightkeepershouldbeabsentfromhispost。AndwherewasSeth？
CHAPTERXIV
\"BENNIED。\"
Seth’sdrivetoEastborowasadismaljourney。Joshuapoundedalongoverthewetsandorthroughrutsfilledwithwater，andnotonceduringthetripwasheorderedto\"Giddap\"or\"Showsomesignsoflife。\"Notuntilthefirstscatteredhousesofthevillagewerereacheddidthelightkeeperawakenfromhistrancesufficientlytonoticethattheoldhorsewaslimpingslightlywiththerightforefoot。
\"Hello！\"exclaimedSeth。\"What’sthematterwithyou，Josh？\"
Joshuasloppedon，butthiswasasortofthree-leggedprogress。
Thedriverleanedforwardandthenpulledonthereins。
\"Whoa！\"heordered。\"Standstill！\"
Joshuastoodstill，almostwithenthusiasm。Sethtuckedtheendofthereinsbetweenthewhipsocketandthedashboard，andswungoutofthewagontomakeanexamination。Liftingthelamefoot，hefoundthetroubleatonce。Theshoewasloose。
\"Humph！\"hesoliloquized。\"Cal’lateyouandme’llhavetogiveBenijahajob。Well，\"climbingbackintothevehicle，\"IsaidI’dnevergivehimanotheraftertherowwehadaboutthelast，butI
ain’tgotambitionenoughtogoclearovertotheDenboroblacksmith’s。Idon’tcare。Idon’tcareaboutnothin’anymore。
Giddap。\"
BenijahEllis’slittle，tumble-downblacksmithshopwaslocatedinthemainstreetofEastboro，ifthathit-or-misstowncanbesaidtopossessamainstreet。Atkinsdroveuptoitsdoor，beforewhichhefoundBenijahandagroupofloungersinspectinganautomobile，thebodyofwhichhadbeenremovedinorderthattheengineandrunninggearmightbetheeasierreached。Theblacksmithwasbendingoverthecar，hisheadandshouldersdownamidstthemachinery；abigwrenchwasinhishand，andotherwrenches，hammers，andtoolsofvarioussizeswerescatteredonthegroundbesidehim。
\"Hello，Benije，\"gruntedSeth。
Ellisremovedhisnosefromitscloseproximitytothegearshaftandstraightenedup。Hewasanear-sighted，elderlyman，andworespectacles。Justnowhishands，arms，andapronwerecoveredwithgreaseandoil，and，ashewipedhisforeheadwiththehandnotholdingthewrench，heleftawidemourningbandacrossit。
\"Well？\"hepanted。\"Whoisit？Whowantsme？\"
Oneoftheloafers，whohadbeenassistingtheblacksmithbyholdinghispipewhilehedoveintothemachinery，languidlymotionedtowardthenewarrival。Benijahadjustedhisspectaclesandwalkedovertothewagon。
\"Whoisit？\"heaskedcrossly。Then，asherecognizedhisvisitor，hegrunted：\"Ugh！it’syou，hey。Well，whatdoYOUwant？\"
\"Wantyoutoputanewshoeonthishorseofmine，\"repliedSeth，nottoograciously。
\"Isthatso！Well，I’mbusy。\"
\"Idon’tcareifyoube。Iguessyouain’tsobusyyoucan’tdoajobofwork。Ifyouare，you’rericher’nIeverheardyouwas。\"
\"Iwanttoknow！MaybeI’mparticularwhoIworkfor，SethAtkins。\"
\"Maybeyouare。Iain’tsoparticular；ifIwas，Iwouldn’tcomehere，Itellyouthat。Thishorseofmine’sgotalooseshoe，andI
wanthimattendedtoquick。\"
\"Thoughtyousaidyou’dnevertrustmewithanotherjob。\"
\"Iain’ttrustin’younow。I’llbeherewhileit’sdone。AndI
ain’taskin’youtotrustme，neither。I’llpaycash——cash，d’yeunderstand？\"
Thebystandersgrinned。Mr。Ellis’sfrowndeepened。\"I’mbusy，\"hedeclared，withimportance。\"I’vegotMr。DelanceyBarry’sautomobiletofix，andIcan’tstoptobotherwithhorses——speciallycertainkindofhorses。\"
ThissneeratJoshuarousedhisowner’sire。Hedroppedthereinsandsprangtotheground。
\"Seehere，BenijeEllis，\"hegrowled，advancingupontherepairerofautomobiles，whoretreatedasteportwowithpromptness。\"Idon’tcarewhatyou’refixin’，norwhoseitis，neither。Iguess’twillbe’fixed’allrightwhenyougetthroughwithit，butthatain’tneitherherenorthere。Anditdon’tmakenodifferenceifitdoesbelongtoMr。Barry。If’twasElijah’schariotoffire’twouldbejustthesame。Thatautowon’tbedonethisafternoon，andnobodyexpectsittobe。Here’smyhorsesufferin’tobeshod；IwanthimshodandI’vegotthemoneytopayforit。Whenit’swintertimeyou’rearoundcryin’thatyoucan’tearnmoneytopayyourbills。
Now，justbecauseit’ssummerandthere’scitybig-bugsintheneighborhoodinnocentenoughtoletyoutinkerwiththeirautos——
thoughthey’llneverdoitbutonce——Idon’tproposetobeputoff。
Ifyouwon’tshoethishorseofmineI’llknowit’sbecauseyou’vegotsomuchmoneyyoudon’tneedmore。Andifthat’sthecase，there’sawholelotoffolkswouldbemightygladtoknowit——HenryG。Goodspeedforone。I’mgoin’uptohisstorenow。ShallItellhim？\"
Thiswasashotinthebull’s-eye。Mr。Ellisowedanumberofbills，hadowedthemforalongtime，andMr。Goodspeed’swasbynomeansthesmallest。Theloafersexchangedwinks，andtheblacksmith’smannerbecamemoreconciliatory。
\"Ididn’tsayIwouldn’tdoitforyou，Seth，\"hepleaded。\"I’malwayswillin’todoyourwork。You’retheonethat’sbeencomplainin’。\"
\"Ugh！Well，I’mlikelytocomplainsomemore，butthecomplaint’sonething，andtheneed’sanother。I’mlikeJoelKnowles——hesaidwhenhecouldn’tgetwhiskyheworriedalongbesthecouldwithbayrum。Ineedablacksmith，andifIcan’tgetarealoneI’llputupwithanimitation。Willyoushoethishorseforme？\"
\"CourseI’llshoehim。ButIcan’tdoitthisminute。I’vegotthisconsarnedmachine，\"wavingahandtowardtheautomobile，\"outofdoorhereandalltopieces。Andit’sgoin’torain。Justletmeputenoughofittogetherso’sIcanshoveitintotheshopoutofthewet，andthenI’lltackleyourjob。Youleaveyourhorseandteamhereandgodoyourothererrands。He’llbereadywhenyoucomeback。\"
Soonthisbasisthedealwasfinallymade。SethwasreluctanttotrustthepreciousJoshuaoutofhissight，but，aftersomeparley，heagreedtodoso。Thetraceswereunfastened，andtheanimalwasledintotheshop，thecarriagewasbackedunderashed，andthelightkeeperwentawaypromisingtobebackinanhour。Assoonashehadgone，Ellisdivedagainintothevitalsoftheauto。
TheargumentwiththeblacksmithhadonesatisfactoryresultsofarasSethwasconcerned。Inameasureitaffordedatemporaryventforhisfeelings。Hewasmoderatelyagreeableduringhisbriefstayatthegrocerystore，andwhenhisordersweregivenandhefoundthehournothalfover，hestrolledouttowalkaboutthevillage。
Andthen，aloneoncemore，allhismiseryandheartachereturned。
Hestrodealong，hisheaddown，scarcelyspeakingtoacquaintanceswhomhemet，untilhereachedtherailwaystation，wherehesatdownonthebaggagetrucktomentallyreview，overandoveragain，thescenewithEmelineandthedreadfulcollapseofhisnewbornhopesandplans。
Ashesatthere，thedoorofthestationopenedandamanemerged，amanevidentlynotanativeofEastboro。Hewasdressedinaratherloud，butsomewhatshabby，suitofsummerplaid，hisstrawhatwassetatrifleoveroneear，andhewassmokingthestumpofanottoofragrantcigar。Altogetherhelookedlikeasportingcharacterunderatemporaryfinancialcloud，buttheclouddidnotdimhisself-satisfactionnorshadowhismagnificentcomplaisance。HeregardedthesectionofEastborobeforehimwithcondescendingscorn，andthen，catchingsightofthedolefulfigureonthebaggagetruck，strolledoverandaddressedit。
\"Isay，myfriend，\"heobservedbriskly，\"haveyouamatchconcealedaboutyourperson？Ifso，I——\"
Hestoppedshort，forMr。Atkins，afteronelanguidglanceinhisdirection，hadsprungfromthetruckandwasgazingathimasifhewassomeapparition，somefigureinanightmare，insteadofhisblaseself。Andhe，ashelookedatthelightkeeper’sastoundedcountenance，droppedthecigarstumpfromhisfingersandsteppedbackwardinalarmedconsternation。
\"You——you——YOU？\"gaspedSeth。
\"YOU！\"repeatedthestranger。
\"You！\"criedSethagain；notabrilliantnororiginalobservation，but，underthecircumstances，excusable，forthenonchalantpersonintheplaidsuitwasEmelineBascom’sbrother-in-law，thegenius，the\"inventor，\"theonepersonwhomhehated——andfeared——morethananyoneelseintheworld——BennieD。himself。
Therewasaconsiderableintervalduringwhichneitherofthepairspoke。Seth，open-mouthedandhorror-stricken，wasincapableofspeech，andtheinventor’sastonishmentseemedtobecoupledwithacertainnervousness，almostasifhefearedaphysicalassault。
However，asthelightkeepermadenomove，andhisfistsremainedopen，thenervousnessdisappeared，andBennieD。characteristicallytookcommandofthesituation。
\"Hum！\"heobservedmusingly。\"Hum！MayIaskwhatyouaredoinghere？\"
\"Huh——hey？\"wasSeth’sincoherentreply。
\"Iaskwhatyouaredoinghere？Haveyoufollowedme？\"
\"Fol-folleredyou？No。\"
\"You’resureofthat，areyou？\"
\"Yes，Ibe。\"SethdidnotaskwhatBennieD。wasdoingthere。
Alreadythatquestionwassettledinhismind。Thebrother-in-lawhadfoundoutthatEmelinewaslivingnextdoortothemanshemarried，thathersummerengagementwasover，andhehadcometotakeheraway。
\"Well？\"queriedtheinventorsharply，\"ifyouhaven’tfollowedme，whatareyoudoinghere？Whatdoyoumeanbybeinghere？\"
\"Ibelonghere，\"desperately。\"Iworkhere。\"
\"Youdo？AndmayIaskwhatparticularbeingisfortunateenoughtoemployyou？\"
\"I’mkeeperdowntothelighthouses，ifyouwanttoknow。ButI
cal’lateyouknowitalready。\"
BennieD。’scoolnesswasnotproofagainstthis。Hestarted。
\"Thelighthouses？\"herepeated。\"The——whatisittheycallthem？——
theTwin-Lights？\"
\"Yes。Youknowit；what’stheuseofaskin’foolquestions？\"
Theinventorhadnotknownit——untilthatmoment，andhetooktimetoconsiderbeforemakinganotherremark。Hissister-in-lawwasemployedashousekeeperatsomebungaloworothersituatedincloseproximitytotheTwin-Lights；thathehaddiscoveredsincehisarrivalonthemorningtrain。PriortothathehadknownonlythatshewasinEastboroforthesummer。Beforethathehadnotbeenparticularlyinterestedinherlocation。Sincetheday，twoyearspast，when，havingdecidedthathehadusedherandherrapidlydepletingsupplyofcashaslongaswassafeorconvenient，hehadunceremoniouslyleftherandgonetoNewYorktoliveuponmoneysuppliedbyacredulouscitygentleman，whomhissmoothtonguehadinterestedinhis\"inventions，\"hehadnottakenthetroubleeventowritetoEmeline。ButwithinthepresentmonththeNewYorker’scredulityandhis\"loans\"hadceasedtobematerialassets。ThenBennieD。，facetofacewiththeneedoffunds，rememberedhissisterandthepromisegivenhisdeadbrotherthatheshouldbeprovidedwithahomeaslongasshehadone。
HejourneyedtoCapeAnnandfound，tohisdismay，thatshewasnolongerthere。Aftersomeskillfuldetectivework，helearnedoftheEastboroengagementandwrotetheletter——apiteous，appealingletter，fullofbrotherlyloveandhomesickness——which，heldbackbythestorm，reachedMrs。Bascomonlythatmorning。Inithestatedthathewasonhiswaytoherandwascountingtheminutesuntiltheyshouldbetogetheroncemore。Andhehad，assoonafterhisarrivalinthevillageaspossible，’phonedtotheLightsandspokenwithher。Hertone，assheanswered，was，hethought，alarminglycold。Ithadmadehimapprehensive，andhewonderedifhisinfluenceoverherwasonthewane。Butnow——nowheunderstood。
Herhusband——herhusband，ofallpeople——hadbeenlivingnextdoortoherallsummer。Nodoubtsheknewhewastherewhenshetooktheplace。Perhapstheyhadmetbymutualagreement。Why，thiswasappalling！Itmightmeananything。AndyetSethdidnotlooktriumphantorevenhappy。BennieD。resolvedtoshownosignsofperturbationordoubt，butfirsttofindout，ifhecould，thetruth，andthentoactaccordingly。
\"Mr。Bascom——\"hebegan。Thelightkeeper，greatlyalarmed，interruptedhim。
\"Hush！\"hewhispered。\"Don’tsaythat。Thatain’tmyname——downhere。\"
\"Indeed？Whatisyourname？\"
\"DownheretheycallmeSethAtkins。\"
BennieD。lookedpuzzled。Thenhisexpressionchanged。Hewasrelieved。Whenhe’phonedtotheLights——usingthedepot’phone——
thestationagenthadseemedtoconsiderhiscallingawomanoverthelighthousewiregreatfun。Thelightkeeper，sotheagentsaid，wasnamedAtkins，andwasasavagewoman-hater。Hewouldnotseeawoman，muchlessspeaktoone；itwasastandingjokeintheneighborhood，Seth’shatredoffemales。ThatseemedtoprovethatEmelineandherhusbandwerenotreconciledandlivingtogether，atleast。Possiblytheirbeingneighborswasmerelyacoincidence。Ifso，hemightnothavecometoolate。Whenhenextaddressedhiscompanionitwasinadifferenttoneandwithoutthe\"Mister。\"
\"Bascom——or——er——Atkins，\"hesaidsharply，\"Ihoped——IsincerelyhopedthatyouandImightnotmeetduringmyshortstayhere；but，aswehavemet，Ithinkitbestthatweshouldunderstandeachother。Supposewewalkovertothatclumpoftreesontheothersideofthetrack。Weshallbealonethere，andIcansaywhatisnecessary。Idon’twish——evenwhenIrememberyourbehaviortowardmysister——tohumiliateyouinthetownwhereyoumaybetryingtoleadabetterlife。Come。\"
Heledtheway，andSeth，yieldingasofoldtothisman’salmosthypnoticcommandoverhimandstillbewilderedbytheunexpectedmeeting，followedlikeawhippeddog。Undertheshelterofthetreestheypaused。
\"Nowthen，\"saidBennieD。，\"perhapsyou’lltellmewhatyoumeanbydecoyingmysisterdownhereinmyabsence，whenIwasnotpresenttoprotecther。Whatdoyoumeanbyit？\"
Sethstaredathimuncomprehendingly。\"Decoyin’her？\"herepeated。
\"Ineverdecoyedher。I’vebeenhereeversinceIleft——leftyouandherthatnight。Ineveraskedhertocome。Ididn’tknowshewascomin’。Andshedidn’tknowIwashereuntil——untilamonthorsoago。I——\"
BennieD。heldupahand。Hewasdelightedbythispieceofnews，buthedidnotshowit。
\"Thatwilldo，\"hesaid。\"Iunderstandallthat。Butsincethen——
sincethen？Whatdoyoumeanbytryingtoinfluenceherasyouhave？Answerme！\"
Thelightkeeperrubbedhisforehead。
\"Iain’ttriedtoinfluenceher，\"hedeclared。\"Sheandmehavescarcelyseeneachother。Nobodyknowsthatwewasmarried，notevenMissGrahamnortheyoungfellerthat’s——that’smyhelperatthelights。Youmustknowthat。Shemusthavewroteyou。Whatareyoutalkin’about？\"
Shehadnotwritten；hehadreceivednolettersfromherduringthetwoyears，butagainthewily\"genius\"wasequaltotheoccasion。
Helookedwiseandnodded。
\"Ofcourse，\"hesaidimportantly。\"Ofcourse。Certainly。\"
Hehesitated，notknowingexactlywhathisnextmoveshouldbe。AndSeth，havinghadtimetocollect，inameasure，hisscatteredwits，begantodosomethinkingonhisownaccount。
\"Say，\"hesaidsuddenly，\"ifyouknewallthisaforehand，whatareyouaskin’thesequestionsfor？\"
\"That，\"BennieD。’sgesturewasoneofloftydisdain，\"ismybusiness。\"
\"Iwanttoknow！Well，then，maybeI’vegotsomebusinessofmyown。Whomademybusinessyourbusiness？Hey？\"
\"Thewelfareofmysister——\"
\"Neveryoumindyoursister。You’retalkin’withmenow。Andyouain’tgotmepennedupinahouse，neither。Byjiminycrimps！\"Hisangerboiledover，and，totheinventor’seyes，hebegantolookalarminglyalive。\"Byjiminycrimps！\"repeatedSeth，\"I’vebeenprayin’alltheseyearstomeetyousomewheresalone，andnowI’veagoodmindto——to——\"
Hisbigfistclosed。BennieD。steppedbackwardoutofreach。
\"Bascom——\"hecried，\"don’t——\"
\"Don’tyoucallmethat！\"
\"Bascom——\"Theinventorwasthoroughlyfrightened，andhisvoicerosealmosttoashout。
Thelightkeeper’swrathvanishedatthesoundofthename。IfanynativeofEastboro，ifthedepotmasterontheothersideofthetrack，shouldhearhimaddressedas\"Bascom，\"thefatwouldbeinthefireforgoodandall。Thesecrethehadsojealouslyguardedwouldbeout，andallthemiserablestorywould，soonerorlater，beknown。
\"Don’tcallmeBascom，\"hebegged。Er——pleasedon’t。\"
BennieD。’scouragereturned。Yetherealizedthatifatrumpcardwastobeplayeditmustbethen。Thismanwasdangerous，and，somehoworother，hisgunsmustbespiked。Abrilliantideaoccurredtohim。ExactlyhowmuchofthetruthSethknewhewasnotsure，buthetooktherisk。
\"Verywellthen——Atkins，\"hesaidcontemptuously。\"Iamnotusedtoaliases——nothavingdealtwithpersonsfindingitnecessarytoemploythem——andIforget。ButbeforethisdisagreeableinterviewisendedIwishyoutounderstandthoroughlywhyIamhere。Iamheretoprotectmysisterandtoremoveherfromyourpersecution。
Iamheretoassistherinprocuringadivorce。\"
\"Adivorce！ADIVORCE！Goodheavensabove！\"
\"Yes，sir，\"triumphantly，\"adivorcefromthemanshewastrappedintomarryingandwhodesertedher。Youdiddeserther，youcan’tdenythat。Solongassheremainsyourwife，eveninname，sheisliabletopersecutionfromyou。Sheunderstandsthis。SheandI
aretoseealawyeratonce。ThatiswhyIamhere。\"
Sethwascompletelyoverwhelmed。Adivorce！Acaseforthepaperstoprint，andallofOstablecountytoread！
\"I——I——I——\"hestammered，andthenaddedweakly，\"Idon’tbelieveit。Shewouldn’t……Thereain’tnolawyerhere。\"
Thenweshallseektheonenearesthere。Emelineunderstands。I
’phonedherthismorning。\"
\"WasitYOUthat’phoned？\"
\"Itwas。Now——er——Atkins，Iamdisposedtobeasconsiderateofyourwelfareaspossible。Iknowthatanypublicityinthismattermightprejudiceyouintheeyesofyour——ofthegovernmentofficials。Ishallnotseekpublicity，solelyonyouraccount。Thedivorcewillbeobtainedprivately，provided——PROVIDEDyouremainoutofsightanddonotinterfere。Iwarnyou，therefore，nottomaketroubleortoattempttoseemysisteragain。Ifyoudo——well，ifyoudo，theconsequenceswillbeunpleasantforyou。Doyouunderstand？\"
Sethunderstood，orthoughthedid。Hegroanedandleanedheavilyagainstatreetrunk。
\"Youunderstand，doyou？\"repeatedBennieD。\"Iseethatyoudo。
Verygoodthen。Ihavenothingmoretosay。Iadvisethatyouremain——er——inseclusionforthenextfewdays。Good-by。\"
Hegaveafarewellglanceatthecrushedfigureleaningagainstthetree。Thenheturnedonhisheelandwalkedoff。
Sethremainedwherehewasforperhapstenminutes，notmovingamuscle。Thenheseemedtoawaken，lookedanxiouslyinthedirectionofthedepottomakesurethatnoonewaswatching，pulledhiscapoverhiseyes，jammedhishandsintohispockets，andstartedtowalkacrossthefields。Hehadnofixeddestinationinmind，hadnoideawherehewasgoingexceptthathemustgosomewhere，thathecouldnotkeepstill。
Hestumbledalong，throughbriersandbushes，payingnoattentiontoobstaclessuchasfencesorstonewallsuntilheranintothem，whenheclimbedoverandwentblindlyon。AmilefromEastboro，andhewasaloneinagroveofscrubpines。Herehestoppedshort，struckhishandstogether，andgroanedaloud：
\"Idon’tbelieveit！Idon’tbelieveit！\"
Forhewasbeginningnottobelieveit。AtfirsthehadnotthoughtofdoubtingBennieD。’sstatementconcerningthedivorce。Now，ashisthoughtsbecameclearer，hisdoubtsgrew。Hiswifehadnotmentionedthesubjectintheirmorninginterview。Possiblyshewouldnothavedonesoinanyevent，but，asthememoryofherbehaviorandspeechbecameclearerinhismind，itseemedtohimthatshecouldnothavekeptsuchasecret。Shehadbeenkinder，hadseemedtohimmore——yes，almost——why，whenheaskedhertobehisagain，togivehimanotherchance，shehadhesitated。Shehadnotsaidnoatonce，shehesitated。Ifshewasabouttodivorcehim，wouldshehaveactedinsuchaway？Ithardlyseemedpossible。
Thencametheletterandthetelephonemessage。Itwasafterthesethatshehadsaidnowithdecision。Perhaps……wasitpossiblethatshehadknownofherbrother-in-law’scomingonlythen？Nowthathethoughtofit，shehadnotgoneawayatonceafterthetalkoverthe’phone。Shehadwaitedamomentasifforhimtospeak。
He，staggeredandparalyzedbythesightofhisenemy’snameinthatletter，hadnotspokenandthenshe……Hedidnotbelieveshewasseekingadivorce！ItwasallanotherofBennieD。’slies！
Butsupposeshewasseekingit。Orsuppose——forheknewthepersuasivepowerofthatglibtongueonlytoowell——supposeherbrother-in-lawshouldpersuadehertodoit。Shouldhesitstill——
inseclusion，ashislateadviserhadcounseled——andletthisirrevocableandfinalmovebemade？Afteradivorce——Seth’sideaofdivorceswerevagueandPuritanical——therewouldbenohope。HeandEmelinecouldnevercometogetherafterthat。Andhemustgiveherupandallhishopesofhappiness，allthathehaddreamedoflate，wouldbebutdreams，neverrealities。No！hecouldnotgivethemup。Hewouldnot。Publicity，scandal，everything，hecouldface，buthewouldnotgivehiswifeupwithoutafight。Whatshouldhedo？
Foralongtimehepacedupanddownbeneaththepinestryingtoplan，tocometosomedecision。AllthathecouldthinkofwastoreturntotheLights，togoopenlytothebungalow，seeEmelineandmakeonelastappeal。BennieD。mightbethere，butifhewas——
well，byjiminycrimps，lethimlookout，that’sall！
Hehadreachedthispointinhismeditationswhenthewind，whichhadbeensteadilyincreasingandtossingthepinetopswarningly，suddenlybecameasquallwhichbroughtwithitaflurryofrain。Hestartedandlookedup。Theskywasdark，itwaslateintheafternoon，andthestormhehadprophesiedhadarrived。
Halfanhourlaterheran，pantingandwet，intotheblacksmith’sshop。Theautomobilewasstandinginthemiddleofthefloor，andMr。Elliswasstandingbesideit，perspiringandtroubled。
\"Where’sJoshua？\"demandedSeth。
\"Hey？\"inquiredtheblacksmithabsently。
\"Where’smyhorse？Isheready？\"
Benijahwipedhisforehead。
\"Gosh！\"heexclaimed。\"By……gosh！\"
\"Whatareyoub’goshin’about？\"
\"Seth——Idon’tknowwhatyou’llsaytome——but——butIdeclareI
forgotallaboutyourhorse。\"
\"YouFORGOTabouthim？\"
\"Yes。Youseethatthing？\"pointingpatheticallyattheauto。
\"Well，sir，thatpeskything’sbreakin’myheart——tosaynothin’ofmyback。Igotitapartallright，notroubleaboutthat。AndbygoodrightsI’vegotittogetheragain，leastwaysitlooksso。Yet，bytime，\"indistractedagitation，\"there’sahalfbucketofboltsandnutsandoddsandendsthatain’tinityet——leftover，youmightsay。AndIcan’tfindanyplacetoputoneof’em。DoyouwonderIforgettrifles？\"
Trifles！theshoeingofJoshuaatrifle！Thelightkeeperhadbeensufferingforanopportunitytoblowoffsteam，andtheopportunitywashere。Benijahwitheredundertheblast。
\"S-sh-sh！sh-sh！\"hepleaded。\"Landsakes，SethAtkins，stopit！I
don’tblameyouforbein’mad，butyounornobodyelsesha’n’ttalktomethatway。I’llfixyourhorseinfiveminutes。Yes，sir，infiveminutes。Shutupnow，orIwon’tdoitatall！\"
Herushedovertothestallintherearoftheshop，wokeJoshuafromthesweetslumberofoldage，andledhimtothehalterbesidetheforge。Thelightkeeper，beingoutofbreath，hadnothingfurthertosayatthemoment。
\"What’sthematterwithallyoulighthousefolks？\"askedBenijah，anxioustochangethesubject。\"What’spossessedthewholelotofyoutocometothevillageatonetime？Whoa，boy，standstill！\"
\"Thewholelotofus？\"repeatedSeth。\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"MeanI’veseentwoofyouatleastthisafternoon。ThatBascomwoman，housekeeperattheGrahambungalowsheis，wentpastheretwice。FusttimeshewasinoneofSnow’sliverybuggies，Snow’sboydrivin’her。Then，aboutanhourago，shewentbyagain，buttheboy’dgone，andtherewasanotherfellerpilotin’theteam——astranger，nobodyIeverseeafore。\"
Seth’sredfaceturnedpale。\"What？\"hecried。\"Em——Mrs。Bascomridin’withastranger！Whatsortofastranger？\"
\"Oh，afellersomewheresbetweentwentyandfifty。Smooth-facedcritterwithacheckedsuitandastrawhat……Whatonearth’sthematterwithyounow？\"
Forthelightkeeperwasshakingfromheadtofoot。
\"Did——did——whichwaywastheygoin’？BacktotheLightsor——orwhere？\"
\"No，didn’tseemtobegoin’totheLightsatall。Theywentontheotherroad。Seemedtobeheadin’forDenboroiftheykeptonastheystarted……SethAtkins，haveyouturnedloony？\"
Sethdidnotanswer。WithaleaphelandedatJoshua’shead，unhookedthehalter，andranoutoftheshopleadingthehorse。Theastonishedblacksmithfollowedasfarasthedoor。Sethwasbackingtheanimalintohiswagon，whichstoodbeneaththeshed。Hefastenedthetraceswithtremblingfingers。
\"Whatintheworldhasstruckyou？\"shoutedEllis。\"Ain’tyougoin’
tohavethatshoefixed？Hecan’ttravelthatway。Seth！SethAtkins！……Bytime，heIScrazy！\"
Sethdidnotdenythecharge。Climbingintothewagon，hetookupthereins。
\"Areyousureandsartin’’twastheDenbororoadtheytook？\"hedemanded。
\"Whotook？ThatfellerandtheBascomwoman？CourseIam，but……
Well，Iswan！\"
Forthelightkeeperwaitedtohearnomore。HestrucktheunsuspectingJoshuawiththeendofthereinsand，withajump，theoldhorsestartedforward。Anothermoment，andthelighthousewagonwassplashingandrattlingthroughthepouringrainalongtheroadleadingtoDenboro。
CHAPTERXV
THEVOYAGEOFTHEDAISYM。
DenboroismanylongmilesfromEastboro，andtheroad，eveninthebestofweather，isnotagoodone。Itwindsandtwistsandclimbsanddescendsthroughwoodsandoverhills。Therearestretchesofmarshyhollowswheretheyellowclayneedsbutalittlemoisteningtobecomeapastewhichstickstowheelsandhoofsandmakestraveling，evenbehindayoungandspiritedhorse，adishearteningprogress。
Joshuawasneitheryoungnorspirited。Andtheweathercouldnothavebeenmuchworse。Thethreedays’stormhadsoakedeverything，andtheclay-bottomedpuddleswerenearkintoquicksands。AsthelighthousewagondescendedthelongslopeatthesouthernendofthevillageandbeganthecircleoftheinnerextremityofEastboroBackHarbor，Sethrealizedthathisjourneywastobeahardone。Therain，drivenbythenortheastwind，cameoffthewaterinblindinggusts，andthewavesintheharborweretippedwithwhite。Also，althoughthetidewasalmostatitslowest，streaksofseaweedacrosstheroadshowedwhereithadreachedthatforenoon，andprophesiedevenagreaterfloodthatnight。HeturnedhisheadandgazeduptheharbortowhereitnarrowedandbecamePounddugSlough。
IntheSlough，nearitsoceanextremity，hisoldschooner，theDaisyM。，laystranded。Hehadnotvisitedherforaweek，andhewonderedifthe\"spellofweather\"hadinjuredhertoanyextent。
Thisspeculation，however，wasbutmomentary。TheDaisyM。mustlookoutforherself。HisbusinesswastoreachJudgeGould’s，inDenboro，beforeMrs。BascomandBennieD。couldarrangewiththatprominentcitizenandlegallightforthethreateneddivorce。
ThattheyhadstartedforJudgeGould’shedidnotdoubtforamoment。\"Ishallseekthenearestlawyer，\"BennieD。hadsaid。Andthejudgewasthenearest。Theymustbegoingthere，orwhyshouldtheytakethatroad？Neitherdidhedoubtnowthattheirobjectwastosecurethedivorce。Howdivorcesweresecured，orhowlongittooktogetone，Sethdidnotknow。Hissoleknowledgeonthatsubjectwasderivedfromthenewspapersandcomicweeklies，andherememberedreadingofplacesintheWestwherelawyerswiththenecessaryblanksintheirpocketsmetapplicantsatthearrivalofonetrainandsentthemaway，rejoicingandfree，onthenext。
\"YoujumprightoffthecarsandthenTurnroundandjumprightonagain。\"
Thisfragmentofasong，sungata\"moving-picture\"showinthetownhall，andresungmanytimesthereafterbyEzraPayne，JohnBrown’spredecessorasassistantkeeperatthelights，recurredtohimasheurgedthewearyJoshuaonward。SofarasSethknew，theRenocustommightbeuniversal。Atanyrate，hemustgettoJudgeGould’sbeforeEmelineandherbrother-in-lawleftthere。Whatheshoulddowhenhearrivedandfoundthemtherewasimmaterial；hemustgetthere，thatwasall。
EastboroBackHarborwasleftbehind，andthelongstretchofwoodsbeyondwasentered。Joshua，hishoofsswollenbythestickyclaytoyellowcannonballs，ploddedon，but，inspiteofcommandsandpleadings——thelightkeeperpossessednowhipandwouldnothaveusedoneifhehad——hewentslowerandslower。Hewaswalkingnow，andlimpingsadlyonthefootwherethelooseshoehungbyitsbentandbrokennails。
Fivemiles，six，seven，andthelimpwasworsethanever。Seth，whoseconsciencesmotehim，gotoutofthecarriageintotherainandmudandattemptedrepairs，usingastoneasahammer。Thisseemedtohelpmatterssome，butitwasalmostdarkwhenthegraniteblockmarkingthetownshiplinewaspassed，andthewindowsinthehouseswerealightwhenhepulledupatthejudge’sdoor。
Thejudgehimselfansweredtheknock，orseriesofknocks。HeseemedmuchsurprisedtofindthekeeperofEastboroTwin-Lightsstandingonhisfrontstep。
\"Why，hello，Atkins！\"hecried。\"Whatintheworldareyoudoingoverhere？anightlikethis！\"
\"Has——hasMrs。Bascombeenhere？Issheherenow？\"pantedSethanxiously。
\"Mrs。Bascom？WhoisMrs。Bascom？\"
\"She——she’safriendofmine。Sheand——andarelationofherswascomin’overheretoseeyouonbusiness。Ain’ttheyhere？Ain’ttheybeenhere？\"
\"No。Noonehasbeenherethisafternoon。I’vebeeninsinceoneo’clock，andnotasoulhascalled，onbusinessorotherwise。\"
Thelightkeepercouldscarcelybelieveit。
\"You’resure？\"hedemanded。
\"Certainly。Iftheycamebeforeonemywifewouldhavetoldme，I
think。I’llaskher。\"
\"No，no，\"hastily。\"Youneedn’t。Iftheyain’tbeensinceonetheyain’tbeen。ButIdon’tunderstand……There’snootherlawyernighhere，isthere？\"
\"No；nonenearerthanBayport。\"
\"Myland！MyLAND！Then——thenI’moutofsoundin’ssomehow。Theynevercameforit，afterall。\"
\"Cameforwhat？\"
\"Nothin’，nothin’，Iguess，\"withasicklysmile。\"I’vemadesomesortofmistake，thoughIdon’tknowhow。Benijemusthave……
I’llbreakthatfeller’sneck；Iwill！\"
Thelawyerbegantosharetheblacksmith’sopinionthathiscallerhadgonecrazy。
\"Comein，Atkins，\"heurged。\"Comeinoutofthewet。WhatISthematter？WhatareyoudoinghereatthistimeofnightsofarfromtheLights？Isitanythingserious？Comeinandtellmeaboutit。\"
ButSeth，insteadofacceptingtheinvitation，staredathimaghast。
Then，turningabout，heleapeddownthesteps，rantothewagonandclimbedin。
\"Giddap！\"heshouted。Poor，tiredJoshualiftedhisclay-daubedhoofs。
\"You’renotgoingback？\"criedGould。\"Holdon，Atkins！Wait！\"
ButSethdidnotwait。Alreadyhehadturnedhishorse’sheadtowardEastboro，andwasdrivingoff。Thelawyerstoodstill，amazedlylookingafterhim。ThenhewentintothehouseandspentthenextquarterofanhourtryingtocalltheTwin-Lightsbytelephone。Asthenortheastwindhadfinishedwhatthenorthwestonehadbegunandthewirewasdown，hisattemptwasunsuccessful。
Hegaveitupafteratimeandsatdowntodiscusstheastonishingaffairwithhiswife。Hewasworried。
ButhisworrimentwasasnothingcomparedtoSeth’s。Thelawyer’sreferencetotheLightshaddrivenevenmatrimonialtroublesfromtheAtkinsmind。Thelights！theTwin-Lights！Itwaslongpastthetimeforthemtobelit，andtherewasnoonetolightthembutBrown，agreenhand。Weretheylitatall？Ifnot，heavenknewwhatmighthappenorhadhappenedalready。
Hehadthoughtofthisbefore，ofcourse，hadvaguelyrealizedthathewasbetrayinghistrust，butthenhehadnotcared。TheLights，hispositionaskeeper，everything，weresideissuescomparedwiththeonethingtobedone，thegettingtoDenboro。HehadreachedDenboroandfoundhisjourneyallamistake；hiswifeandBennieD。
hadnot，apparently，visitedthatvillage；perhapshadnotevenstartedforit。Therefore，inameasurerelieved，hethoughtofotherthings。Hewasmanymilesfromhispostofduty，andnowhissoleideawastogetbacktoit。
Atteno’clockMrs。HepsibahDeacon，awidowlivinginalittlehouseinthewoodsonthetopofthehillontheDenborosideofEastboroBackHarbor，withnoneighborsforamileineitherdirection，wasawakenedbyshoutsunderherbedroomwindow。Openingthatwindowshethrustforthherhead。
\"Whoisit？\"shedemandedquaveringly。\"What’sthematter？Isanythingafire？\"
Fromtheblacknessoftherainandfogemergedavagueshape。
\"It’sme，Mrs。Deacon；SethAtkins，downtotheLights，youknow。
I’veleftmyhorseandcarriageinyourbarn。Josh——he’sthehorse——
isgonelameandplayedhimselfout。Hecan’twalkanotherstep。
I’veunharnessedhimandlefthiminthestall。He’llbeallright。
I’vegivenhimsomewaterandhay。Justlethimstaythere，ifitain’ttoomuchtrouble，andI’llsendforhimto-morrerandpayforhiskeep。It’sallright，ain’tit？Muchobliged。Goodnight。\"
Beforethefrightenedwidowcouldaskaquestionorutterawordhewasgone，ploughingdownthehillinthedirectionoftheBackHarbor。Whenhereachedthefootofthathillwheretheroadshouldhavebeen，hefoundthatithaddisappeared。Thetidehadrisenandcoveredit。
Itwaspitch-dark，therainwaslessheavy，andcloudsoffogweredriftinginbeforethewind。Sethwadedonforashortdistance，butsoonrealizedthatwadingwouldbeanimpossibility。Then，asindespair，hewasaboutreadytogiveuptheattempt，adarkobjectcameintoviewbesidehim。Itwasadorybelongingtooneofthelobstermen，which，attheendofitslonganchorrope，hadswunginshoreuntilitfloatedalmostovertheroad。Sethseizeditintimetopreventcollisionwithhisknees。Thetholepinswereinplace，andtheoarslaidlengthwiseonitsthwarts。Ashishandstouchedthegunwaleanewideacametohim。
HehadintendedwalkingtherestofthewaytoEastboro，routingouttheliverymanandhiringahorseandbuggywithwhichtoreachtheLights。Nowhebelievedchancehadofferedhimaneasierandmoredirectmethodoftravel。HecouldrowuptheHarborandSlough，landclosetowheretheDaisyM。lay，andwalktherestofthewayinaveryshorttime。Heclimbedintothedory，pulleduptheanchor，andseatedhimselfattheoars。
Thebottomoftheboatwastwoinchesdeepwithrainwater，andthethwartwasdrippingandcold。Seth，beingalreadyaboutaswetashecouldbe，didnotmindthis，butpulledwithlongstrokesoutintotheharbor。Thevagueblackshadowsofthelanddisappeared，andinaminutehewas，sofarashiseyescouldtellhim，afloatonashorelesssea。Hehadnocompass，butthisdidnottroublehim。
Thewind，heknew，wasblowingdirectlyfromthedirectionhewishedtogo，andhekeptthedory’sbowintheteethofit。Herowedonandon。Thewaves，outhereinthedeepwater，wereofgoodsize，andthesprayflewashesplashedintothem。Heknewthathewaslikelytogetoffthecourse，buttheBackHarborwas，exceptforitsupperentrance，landlocked，andhecouldnotgofarastray，nomatterwherehemighthittheshore。
Thefogclouds，drivenbythesqualls，driftedbyandpassed。Atrareintervalstheskywasalmostclear。Afterhehadrowedforhalfanhourandwasbeginningtothinkhemustbetravelingincircles，oneoftheseclearintervalscameand，farofftotheleftandahead，hesawsomethingwhichcausedhimtoutteranexclamationofjoy。Twofieryeyesshonethroughthedark。Thefogshuttheminagainalmostimmediately，butthatoneglancewassufficienttoshowthatallwaswellattheposthehaddeserted。ThefieryeyeswerethelanternsintheTwin-Lightstowers。JohnBrownhadbeenequaltotheemergency，andthelampswerelighted。