articular business?" he asked, a moment
later.

"Oh, no; I wanted to make his acquaintance, that's all. Horace told me
so many interesting things about him. By the way, was it last summer, or
the summer before, that you met my brother here?"

No answer. Miss Graham repeated her question. "Was it last summer or the
summer before?" she asked.

"Oh--er--I don't remember. Last summer, I think."

"Why, you must remember. How could any one forget anything that happened
down here? So few things do happen, I should say. So you met him last
summer?"

"Yes."

"Hum! that's odd."

"Shall I call Atkins? He's in his room."

"I say it is odd, because, when Mrs. Bascom and I first met you, you
told us this was your first summer here."

There wasn't any answer to this; at least the assistant could think of
none at the moment.

"Do you wish me to call Atkins?" he asked, sharply. "He's asleep, but I
can wake him."

"Oh! he's asleep. Now I understand why you whisper even when you
sw--that is, when you break a plate. You were afraid of waking him. How
considerate you are."

Brown put down the dishcloth. "It isn't altogether consideration for
him--or for myself," he said grimly. "I didn't care to wake him unless
you took the responsibility."

"Why?"

"Because, Miss Graham, Seth Atkins took the position of lightkeeper here
almost for the sole reason that no women ever came here. Mr. Atkins is a
woman-hater of the most rabid type. I'll wake him up if you wish, but I
won't be responsible for the consequences."

The young lady stared at him in surprise, delighted surprise apparently,
judging by the expression of her face.

"A woman-hater?" she repeated. "Is he really?"

"He is." Mr. Brown neglected to add that he also had declared himself a
member of the same fraternity. Perhaps he thought it was not necessary.

"A woman-hater!" Miss Graham fairly bubbled with mischievous joy. "Oh,
jolly! now I'm CRAZY to meet him!"

The assistant moved toward the hall door. "Very good!" he observed with
grim determination. "I think he'll cure your lunacy."

His hand was outstretched toward the latch, when the young lady spoke
again.

"Wait a minute," she said. "Perhaps I had better not wake him now."

"Just as you say. The pleasure is--or will be--entirely mine, I assure
you."

"No--o. On the whole, I think I'll wait until later. I may call again.
Good morning."

She moved across the threshold. Then, standing on the mica slab w