All the Brothers Were Valiant

never married, nor Noah, nor Mark. John had a wife for the weeks he was at home before his last crui

uggest slumbering fires; she was slow of speech, and quiet, and calm.... But John Shore and Mark had both loved her; and when she marrie

oel the most wonderful created thing. Their yards adjoined; and she was the baby of her family, and he of his. Thus the big boy and the little girl had

She gave Joel quiet welcome at the door, before Priscilla in the kitchen heard his voice and came flying to overwhelm him. She had been making popovers,

Nathan Ross had been in port for weeks. So the whole town knew Mark Shore's story. They spoke of it now, and Joel told them what he knew.... Rachel wondered if there was any chance that Mark might still be alive. Her father broke in wit

s a huge man, like a pagan god, in whose eyes she had been only a thin-legged little girl who made faces through the fence.... Afte

know," s

u needn't bother with the dishes,

ran contritely toward her sister. "Oh, I'm sorr

y. "I don't mind the

the floor, and its samplers on the walls. She was of the new generation, the generation which discovered that the night is beaut

talwart stock from which she sprung. Her hair was darker than Joel's; it was a brown so dark that it was almost black. But her eyes were vividly blue, and her lips were vividly red, and her cheeks were bright.... Sh

were shadowed and mysterious. Joel saw that her lips were smiling.... She drew his head down toward hers.... Joel was flesh and blood; and s

before the seat; she perched on his knee, and caught his big shoulders in her tiny hands and tried to shake him back and forth in her delight.

course. Yes. Yes, I am

s big neck, clinging to him.... He sat stiff and awkward under her caresses, thrilling with a happi

stions. When would he sail away? She had heard the Nathan Ross was almost ready. When woul

" he said slowly. "We will go away--on the Nat

before him. "Why, Joel! You're--y

rried Monday; and we will make a bigger cabin on the--Nathan Ross...." His voice always slowed a little as he

are go away with you. For so awfully long. I just couldn't...." Her eyes misted with thought, and she said quite seriously: "Why, Joel, we

know how it is with you. It is clothes that you are thinking about. Well, you can get th

e me once in three years. Of course I have

nd sat down soberly beside him. She was feeling a little crushed, smothered

know you go with me. And ever

to bully her. She hated him. She wouldn't marry him. Never. He could go off on his old ship and never come back. That was all. She would

seeming of a wise man;

ay...." Her sobs miraculously ceased, and he smiled quietly down upon her dark head against his brea

emained very quiet against his side for a long time, breathing

ry. Like a romance." And the word

dancing in the moonlight.... "Oh, Joe," she cried, "it would really be just loads of fun. And

e said, do th

d. For he knew that his bri