onderingly at the houses and the
people. They went into a shop, and Captain Enos bought a fine warm brown
shawl to take home to Mrs. Stoddard, and asked Rose Freeman to help Anne
select a pretty stuff for a dress. The girls decided upon a small plaid of
dark blue and brown, and the stuff was carefully wrapped up and Captain
Enos took the package.

"I have news at last," said Mr. Freeman, who had been talking with a man
at the door of the shop. "We will walk up to the Common and see if we
cannot get sight of your father. He was here yesterday."

Anne listened eagerly, almost forgetting Rose Freeman, whose hand she
still held tightly, in the thought that her dear father might be very near
and that she would soon see him.

They walked toward the Common, and Mr. Freeman told the others to stand
near the big elm while he went to make inquiries. He was gone but a few
moments, when Rose Freeman felt Anne's hand slip from her own, and saw the
little girl running swiftly across the grass calling out, "Father!
Father!"

John Nelson heard the voice and stopped.

"Anne, Anne!" he answered, and in a moment the little girl in scarlet
stockings and blue cape and hat was gathered into the close clasp of the
dark, slender man.

Then how much there was to say! How eagerly Anne told him all the pleasant
news! How warmly Captain Enos shook his hand, and called him a brave
fellow; and John Nelson tried to thank the captain for all his kindness to
Anne.

Anne held fast to his hand as they walked together to the wharf where the
sloop lay. Captain Enos said that he must start for home the next morning,
and there was a great deal for them all to talk about. Rose Freeman and
her father left them at the wharf, after Captain Enos had promised that he
would bring Anne to their house in time for supper.

"I have a plan, John," said Captain Enos; "when we have settled with the
British, and that must be soon now, you must come to Province Town and
live with us. How would you like that, Anne?"

Anne smiled happily.

"Best of anything!" she declared.

"I need help with my fishing," went on Captain Enos, "and there's an empty
loft next to Anne's room, where you can sleep. So think of Anne's home as
yours, John. You'd not break Mistress Stoddard's heart by taking away the
child?"

"It was good fortune led her to your door," said John Nelson gratefully.
"I can see for myself that she is content and happy. And I'll be a
fortunate man to come