I have wanted happiness so hard, Code, that when I
see others who have it within their grasp, I cannot stand in their
way.

"But I don't mind now--I really don't. That was all in the past, and
it's over now. If you want to make me happy, be happy yourself. I see
there are forces that guide our lives that must have their will
whatever our own private plans may be, and, having learned that
lesson, I feel that perhaps now I shall be happier, somehow, than I
ever would have been if my own selfishness had triumphed."

Code lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.

"What a splendid woman you are! I know that happiness and joy will
come to you. One who has done what you have done cannot fail to
realize it. This hour will always be a very sweet one in my memory,
and I shall never forget it."

"Nor I," she said softly, "for, through you, I have begun to find
myself."

CHAPTER XXXI

PEACE AND PROSPERITY

The village of Freekirk Head prospered once Code Schofield, Bijonah
Tanner, and Jed Martin had started the ball rolling. Inside a week
another large consignment of fish arrived. Boughton was ready for it,
and for all that could come, he said, in the next two months.

This was music to the ears of Code Schofield and the crack crew of the
_Charming Lass_, and nine days after they had picked up their mooring
in the little crescent harbor they were off again, salt and
bait-laden, for the Banks, expecting to do a little haddocking if they
failed to load down with cod before they disappeared in October.

Seven schooners sailed with him that day, and, at the end of nine
weeks, the _Lass_ weighed anchor and charged home with the first
halibut that had come into Freekirk Head in years. On this trip, when
he was left in peace, Code displayed all the remarkable "nose" for
fish that his father had had before him.

And when he had weighed out the last of his halibut Bill Boughton led
him into the little office of the fishstand and offered him a quarter
interest in the business.

Thereafter Code was to make only such trips as he could spare time
for, and Pete was to have charge of the _Lass_ on other occasions.

He had proved himself worth his salt in the eyes of the whole village,
and Boughton needed some one to do the heavy work, while he collected
most of the profits. This business future, and three thousand dollars
in the bank, led Code one day to send to St. John's for an architect,
and to haggle with Al Green co