ed. "It will not do for me to
meet you again. There are too many eyes about. Let Anne walk along, with
that tall girl yonder, about sunset toward the South Meeting House, and
I'll give it to her."

Captain Stoddard nodded, and walked away.

"Anne," he said when they met in the Freemans' sitting-room just before
dinner, "you can be of great help to your father and to me. But you must
be wise and silent. When you walk with Rose this afternoon your father
will meet you and hand you a flat package. Thrust it inside your frock,
and say nothing of it to Rose, or to any one, and bring it safe to me."

"Yes, indeed, Uncle Enos," the little girl answered. "Am I to ask Rose to
walk with me?"

"Yes, toward the South Meeting House," answered Captain Enos, "about an
hour before sunset."

"If I keep silent and bring the package safely, will you forgive me for
hiding in the boat?" pleaded Anne.

"Indeed I will, child, and take you for a brave girl as well," he
replied.

Anne was joyful at the thought of another word from her father, and Rose
was quite ready to go for another walk.

They had just turned into King Street when John Nelson met them. Anne wore
the pretty cape Rose had given her and her father slipped the packet into
her hand without Rose seeing it. She grasped it tightly, and held it under
the cape. "Be a good child, Anne, and do whatever Captain Stoddard may bid
thee," her father said as he bade her good-bye.

CHAPTER XIV

A CANDY PARTY

The next morning proved warm and pleasant with only a light breeze, but
Captain Enos had his sloop ready at an early hour, and when Anne, with Mr.
Freeman and Rose, came down to the wharf he was anxious to start at once.

Anne still wore the blue cape, which Mrs. Freeman had insisted on giving
her, and the hat was in a round pasteboard box, which Anne carried
carefully, and which was put away in the cabin with Aunt Martha's new
shawl and the cloth for Anne's new dress.

As the sloop sailed away from the wharf Anne waved her hand to Rose
Freeman until she could no longer see her. Captain Enos watched the little
girl anxiously; he was half afraid that Anne might be disappointed because
she could not stay with her father, but her face was bright and smiling.

"Where is the packet your father handed you?" Captain Enos questioned
eagerly, as soon as his sloop was clear of the wharf.

"I have it pinned safe inside my frock," she answered. "Shall I give it to
you now,