E CAVES.

(_Continued from page 235._)

On her return, Mrs. Wright found Estelle calmer; still very shaky, and
with tears but half dried, but ready to listen to reason. Jack was
assuring her there was nothing to be afraid of: that nothing could or
would happen to her in his absence. The cavern passages and chambers
were absolutely empty, and securely shut up by doors and iron gates. It
was foolish to be so frightened about mere fancies.

Mrs. Wright gave her some of the cordial, and said she had better come
to bed. She would soon forget her terrors in a sound, healthy sleep, and
in the morning Goody would take her down to watch the boats come in,
and Jack along with them. She should see all the beautiful fish they
brought, and choose what she liked for their supper.

Estelle made no reply. She stood leaning against Goody, but her eyes
were fixed with the same terror on Jack, as when he gathered up his
things, and prepared to start.

'You are really going?' she began, her voice quivering, and the tears
welling up again.

'Hush, my dear,' said Mrs. Wright, holding her tight in her motherly
arms. 'I'll take right good care of you.'

'That she will,' said Jack, heartily.

Embracing his mother, and with a touch of his hand on Estelle's head, he
smiled down into her tearful eyes, and was gone.

Great indeed was the blank he left behind him! Knowing from sad
experience the perils of the toilers of the sea, Mrs. Wright never saw
her son depart without anxiety and dread; and to-night, as if to make
matters worse, the rain was coming down heavily, and the sighing of the
wind was not promising. But it did no good to stop and think, and there
was plenty to do.

'Come, dear,' she said, choking down the lump in her throat, 'it won't
do to sit down and mope. That's not the way to bear our sorrows. You
must think your fears are nothing to matter, with me here to defend you.
Come along to bed now. That's the first thing to think about.'

Estelle obeyed, only begging Goody not to leave her.

Nevertheless, the evening's excitement left its trace. Estelle tossed
about some time before she could get any sleep, and when at last she
fell into a feverish doze, her dreams were distressing. She was back
again in the long passage of the ruined summer-house. Behind her was the
closed door, all around her fell the earth and stones from the roof,
while the continual drip of water filled her ears. She was quite
alone--every one had f