ttle Cherry
Blossom burst out with a gush of gibberish concerning some man, "bad,
wicked manee," who was trying to influence "daughter" in some way
or other, just how was not particularly intelligible. Captain Jethro
offered another suggestion.

"Julia," he demanded, "is it the outsider, the small, dark man you said
afore? Is it him?"

Yes, it was. The rustle in the circle was now so pronounced as to amount
almost to a disturbance. Mr. Abel Harding whispered audibly, "It's
Nelson Howard she means, don't she?" His wife even more audibly ordered
him to "shut up, for the land sakes." Primmie dropped the mouth organ
on the floor with a metallic clatter. Startled, she made her customary
appeal to the ruler of Israel.

"It's him, eh?" growled the light keeper. "I thought so. I've got my eye
on him, Julia, and he knows it. What's he up to now? Where is he?"

"Near her."

"Near her? Here?... In this HOUSE, do you mean?"

A moment's hesitation, and then, "Ye-es, I--I shouldn't wonder."

This bit of information, even though unusually qualified considering
its spirit source, caused a genuine sensation. Almost every one said
something. Zach Bloomer whistled shrilly in Mr. Bangs' ear and said,
"Godfreys!" Galusha said, "Oh, dear me!" with distressful emphasis.
Martha Phipps and Lulie clutched each other and the latter uttered
a faint scream. Primmie Cash, who had stooped to pick up the dropped
harmonica, fell on her knees beside it. Captain Jethro stamped and
roared for silence.

"Be still!" he shouted. "Stop! STOP! By the everlastin',
I'll--I'll--Julia! Julia!"

But Julia did not answer this time. Neither did Little Cherry Blossom.
Whether Miss Hoag was frightened at the effect of her message or whether
she figured that she had caused sensation sufficient for one day are
matters for conjecture. At all events she stirred in her chair and
announced faintly, and in her natural, everyday tones and accent, that
she wished a drink of water.

"Where--where be I?" she gasped. "I--Oh, fetch me a drink, somebody,
won't you, please?"

The light keeper, paying no need whatever, was shouting his wife's name.

"Julia! Julia!" he cried. "Don't go! I want you! I need you!"

Lulie called "Father" and hastened toward him. Zacheus whispered in
Galusha's ear that he cal'lated 'twouldn't do no harm to turn on the
glim and proceeded forthwith to turn up the wick of one of the lamps.
The sudden illumination showed Captain Jethro standing