ed up in the cool, dim creeks, which long experience had
taught him were best for trout, and came and went by a convenient wood
path; but he had no thought of concealment in so doing. He would not
have cared had all Carleton seen him.

He had done very well with his fish so far, and prices for trout at
the Lake went up every day. Dan was an enterprising boy, and a general
favourite with the hotel owners. They knew that he could always be
depended on.

Mrs. Phillips met him at the door when he reached home.

"See, Mother," said Dan exultantly, as he held up his fish. "Just look
at that fellow, will you? A pound if he's an ounce! I ought to get a
good price for these, I can tell you. Let me have my dinner now, and
I'll go right over to the Lake with them."

"It's a long walk for you, Danny," replied his mother pityingly, "and
it's too hot to go so far. I'm afraid you'll get sun-struck or
something. You'd better wait till the cool of the evening. You're
looking real pale and thin this while back."

"Oh, I'm all right, Mother," assured Dan cheerfully. "I don't mind the
heat a bit. A fellow must put up with some inconveniences. Wait till I
bring home the money for these fish. And I mean to have another catch
tonight. It's you that's looking tired. I wish you didn't have to work
so hard, Mother. If I could only get a good place you could take it
easier. Sam French says that Mr. Walters wants a boy up there at the
factory, but I know I wouldn't do. I ain't big enough. Perhaps
something will turn up soon though. When our ship comes in, Mother,
we'll have our good times."

He picked up his flags and went into the little room where his sister
lay.

"See what I've brought you, Ella May!" he said, as he thrust the cool,
moist clusters into her thin, eager hands. "Did you ever see such
beauties?"

"Oh, Dan, how lovely they are! Thank you ever so much! If you are
going over to the Lake this afternoon, will you please call at Mrs.
Henny's and get those nutmeg geranium slips she promised me? Just look
how nice my others are growing. The pink one is going to bloom."

"I'll bring you all the geranium slips at the Lake, if you like. When
I get rich, Ella May, I'll build you a big conservatory, and I'll get
every flower in the world in it for you. You shall just live and sleep
among posies. Is dinner ready, Mother? Trouting's hungry work, I tell
you. What paper is this?"

He picked up a folded newspaper from the table.

"Oh,