idence. And Janet liked the stranger
immensely.

"Mark comes in 'most everywhere," she repeated. "You'll have to look out
for Mark."

"He loves you, I suppose?" Thornly forbore to laugh, and he searched
the frank face near him.

"Now whatever made you guess that? He is not quite sure himself. He's
never sure of anything, and I never suspected it until lately--you're
rather keen."

"Well, we'll escape Tapkins's eagle eye. Forewarned is forearmed. Now
see here, partner, can you blow this whistle?" Thornly took a small
golden watch charm from his fob. It seemed a toy, but when Janet placed
it to her lips and blew, it emitted a shrill, far-reaching call that
startled her.

"I'll prowl in these parts every day, when it doesn't pour cats and
dogs," Thornly explained; "and when you can escape the watch,--come to
the Hills, blow the whistle and presto! change! I'll be on the scene
before you can count twenty. Miss Janet, fame and fortune yawn before
us--actually yawn. And now may I keep this?"

He picked up the sketch and came close to the girl, his shoulder
touching hers, as they looked at the picture together. "Yes!" Janet said
softly, the beauty of the thing holding her anew, "yes! You've made them
your very own, the Hills, and me, and the sky and the water! It's very
wonderful. I never saw anything like it. If you only forget, it is easy
to imagine that this is a reflection!"

"Thank you!" Thornly moved away. "Thank you! That's about the greatest
praise I've ever had. This is only a water sketch, too; wait until
you've seen it in oil! I've a shanty over there--" he pointed below
them, where a hollow, opening toward the bay, held a tiny building in
its almost secret shelter, "I'm generally there, when I'm not tramping
the open. Would you, eh--well, would you mind letting me pose you there
some day?"

"Oh, no!" Janet beamed delightedly, "I'd love to see the inside of your
shanty. I dare say it's enchanted, and besides,"--she showed her white
teeth deliciously,--"I do not believe Mark could watch me there!"

She rose and picked up her sunbonnet. "The sun has passed noon," she
said ruefully, "and I've a good three miles to walk. Good bye, Mr.
Thornly, it's been a wonderful morning." She started rapidly down the
hill. Thornly waved to her as she went, until a friendly hillock hid
her.

CHAPTER V

"Well, my boy! To think of you drifting down here. Have a cigar, and put
your feet on the railing. I tell you,