Rilla of the Lighthouse

beacon rays far out to sea, slowly, rythmically turning. For a brief moment the Outer Ledge was revealed, deserted and surf washed, th

the little fleet of fishing boats and the cask-like buoy were for a moment revealed. The summer colony of boarded-up cabins was next illumined; too the low, rambling in

anism of the lamp was in perfect order. He was just descending the spiral stair

a's door, heard it and leaped t

kened her, and she wanted to be on watch with her grand-dad. Her first conscious thought had been that the expected equinoctial storms had com

ble the evening before to hail him from the top of the cliff, but surely he could have kept warm if

had already flung the door wide open and there Rilla saw several longshoremen in slickers and sou'westers, who were c

who had been a friend of his boyhood, into the kitchen, which was still warm, a

me speak of Dan Beavers, who was a college mate of mine. Well, this is his son. He came to Tunkett to try to regain his strength after a serious illness. Truth is, he ought not to

her paused. "I reckon yer off'n yer bearin's, I ain't sighted a city chap cruisin' 'round in these waters

en stair door. Running to Doctor Winslow, she caught his hand. "Uncle Lem," she

e come to be here, but I didn't dare to tell yo', yo're that sot agin city chaps. I didn't do anythin' that yo' wouldn't want me to, Grand-d

in' in the cave. Don't let's hang out distress signals till we're sure we're goin' to sink." As he talked he put on his slicker and cap, as the night wind was cold. Then, taking a lighted lantern, Cap'n Ezra, af

owever steep, climbed down to the ledge and held his lantern so that the small cave was illumined. After a moment's scrutiny he called up t

r it's all my fault for bein' so tarnal sot agin city chaps. I reckoned, one bein' a scoundrel, they all was, like's not." Then, turning to Doctor Winslow, he added with spirit: "Lem, we won't give up yit. We'll throw out a drag net

r men than he is have failed in that, now and then. You mustn't come with us. A heavy fog is rolling in and you might be needed any moment right here at the ligh

made into four heavy cups and one of these she took to Doctor Winslow, saying, "Uncle Lem, drink

rained, they started out, calling back that they would swing the red lanterns in a ci

ndfather's slicker and he sank down in his

, her arm about his neck

ld an' it's love that brings in the happiness.' Like's not my little gal'd be livin' now if I'd tried seein' things her way; if I'd welcomed the man she wanted to marry, 'stead of hatin' him an' turnin' him out. He went, w

one, she implored, "Don' be talkin' that way! How's it too late, Grand-dad? We'll begin all o

ising and going to the window, he stood for a moment looking out into the darknes

lose their bearin's an' thar'd be no savin' 'e

ut I'll take the chance." Then, noting the inquiring expression of the girl's face, the old man explained: "I'm a-goin' to hold the big lamp so 'twill shine steady