pity or sorrow, could fail to love her. She had learned to think of
Jack as of a brother gone on a long, long voyage, whom she should meet
again, not for years perhaps, but some day certainly, and so she ceased
to mourn for him. The captain had seen so many of his companions
launched into watery graves, and knew so well that it is the fate for
which all who go to sea must be prepared, that he accepted his lot as
common to many another parent, though his gallant boy was not often out
of his thoughts. He and Tom seldom, as was once their wont, talked over
their adventures and battles, for Jack and his doings was the theme on
which, when together, they loved to speak, in subdued tones though, and
often with faltering voices and tears springing unexpectedly to their
eyes.

Margaret seldom spoke about her boy, but she did not think of him the
less, and there lingered yet in her mother's heart the hope--she knew it
was baseless, yet she dared not contradict it--that she should yet again
fold him to her heart on earth; she knew that she should meet him in
heaven. One thing Margaret bethought herself that she would do. She
might assist to save others from the fate which had befallen her own
dear boy. The day on which the sad tidings reached her she had retired
to an upper chamber of the tower which overlooked the sea, to pray that
strength might be given her to bear her deep affliction. To those who
pray aright, never are their petitions refused. By labouring for the
good of others, the sorrow-stricken heart is greatly relieved. "Surely,
if this tower could be seen by night as well as by day, it would show
the entrance to our sheltered bay," she said to herself. She possessed
a large bright lamp; filling it with oil and trimming it carefully, she
placed it in the window as the shades of evening closed over the then
tranquil ocean. Night after night, without fail, she did the same,
allowing no one, not even Margery, to share her task. By and by a
reflector and more powerful burners were obtained, and the rays of the
lamp were thrown still further over the sea. The fishermen out on the
waters soon learned whence the light came, and blessed the hand that
placed it there.

CHAPTER TWO.

MARGARET--STEPHEN--THE ROCKS--THE FACE--BLIND PETER--THE STORM.

When the old tower of Stormount was being fitted for a modern
habitation, the original arrangements of the interior had been in a
great measure restored. Enterin