wever, if I had known you were
within hearing I might not have been quite so emphatic."

"Then I am glad you didn't know. I think those ruffians were treated as
they deserved."

"Not half as they deserved. I shall watch from now on and if there are
any more attempts at annoying you or your people I shall do more than
talk."

"Thank you. They have been troublesome--of late. I am sure we are very
much obliged to you, all of us."

"Not at all."

"Oh yes, we are. Not only for this, but for--all the rest. For your help
the other night especially; I want to thank you for that."

"It was nothing," I answered, awkwardly.

"Nothing! You are not very complimentary, Mr. Paine."

"I mean--that is, I--"

"You may consider rescuing shipwrecked young ladies, afloat and ashore,
nothing--perhaps you do it so often that it is of little consequence to
you; but I am not so modest. I estimate my safety as worth something,
even if you do not."

"I did not mean that, of course, Miss Colton. You know I did not. I
meant that--that what I did was no more than any one else would have
done under the same circumstances. You were in no danger; you would
have been safe enough even if I had not happened along. Please don't say
anything more about it."

"Very well. But I am very glad you happened along, nevertheless. You
seem to have the faculty of happening along just at the right time."

This sounded like a reference to the episode in the bay, and I did not
care to discuss that.

"You--I believe your father said you were not ill after your
experience," I observed hastily.

"Not in the least, thank you. And you?"

"Oh, I was all right. Rather wet, but I did not mind that. I sail and
fish a good deal, and water, fresh or salt, doesn't trouble me."

This was an unlucky remark, for it led directly to the subject I was
trying to avoid.

"So I should imagine," she answered. "And that reminds me that I owe you
another debt of thanks for helping me--helping us out of our difficulty
in the boat. I am obliged to you for that also. Even though what you
saved was NOT worth five dollars."

I looked up at her quickly. She was biting her lips and there was a
smile at the corners of her mouth. I could not answer immediately for
the life of me. I would have given something if I had not told Colton of
Victor's message and my reply.

"Your father misrepresented my meaning, I'm afraid," I stammered. "I was
angry when I sent that message. It was