OWENFORDCOMES
　　OneeveningMissCorneliatelephoneddowntoAnne。
　　"Thewritermanhasjustarrivedhere。I’mgoingtodrivehimdowntoyourplace，andyoucanshowhimthewayovertoLeslie’s。It’sshorterthandrivingroundbytheotherroad，andI’minamortalhurry。TheReesebabyhasgoneandfallenintoapailofhotwaterattheGlen，andgotnearlyscaldedtodeathandtheywantmerightoff——toputanewskinonthechild，I
　　presume。Mrs。Reeseisalwayssocareless，andthenexpectsotherpeopletomendhermistakes。Youwon’tmind，willyou，dearie？Histrunkcangodowntomorrow。"
　　"Verywell，"saidAnne。"Whatishelike，MissCornelia？"
　　"You’llseewhathe’slikeoutsidewhenItakehimdown。Asforwhathe’slikeinsideonlytheLordwhomadehimknowsTHAT。I’mnotgoingtosayanotherword，foreveryreceiverintheGlenisdown。"
　　"MissCorneliaevidentlycan’tfindmuchfaultwithMr。
　　Ford’slooks，orshewouldfinditinspiteofthereceivers，"saidAnne。"Iconcludetherefore，Susan，thatMr。Fordisratherhandsomethanotherwise。"
　　"Well，Mrs。Doctor，dear，IDOenjoyseeingawell-lookingman，"saidSusancandidly。"HadInotbettergetupasnackforhim？Thereisastrawberrypiethatwouldmeltinyourmouth。"
　　"No，Leslieisexpectinghimandhashissupperready。
　　Besides，Iwantthatstrawberrypieformyownpoorman。Hewon’tbehometilllate，soleavethepieandaglassofmilkoutforhim，Susan。"
　　"ThatIwill，Mrs。Doctor，dear。Susanisatthehelm。
　　Afterall，itisbettertogivepietoyourownmenthantostrangers，whomaybeonlyseekingtodevour，andthedoctorhimselfisaswell-lookingamanasyouoftencomeacross。"
　　WhenOwenFordcameAnnesecretlyadmitted，asMissCorneliatowedhimin，thathewasvery"well-looking"
　　indeed。Hewastallandbroad-shouldered，withthick，brownhair，finely-cutnoseandchin，largeandbrilliantdark-grayeyes。
　　"Anddidyounoticehisearsandhisteeth，Mrs。
　　Doctor，dear？"queriedSusanlateron。"Hehasgotthenicest-shapedearsIeversawonaman’shead。I
　　amchoiceaboutears。WhenIwasyoungIwasscaredthatImighthavetomarryamanwithearslikeflaps。
　　ButIneednothaveworried，forneverachancedidI
　　havewithanykindofears。"
　　AnnehadnotnoticedOwenFord’sears，butshedidseehisteeth，ashislipspartedovertheminafrankandfriendlysmile。Unsmiling，hisfacewasrathersadandabsentinexpression，notunlikethemelancholy，inscrutableheroofAnne’sownearlydreams；butmirthandhumorandcharmlighteditupwhenhesmiled。
　　Certainly，ontheoutside，asMissCorneliasaid，OwenFordwasaverypresentablefellow。
　　"YoucannotrealisehowdelightedIamtobehere，Mrs。
　　Blythe，"hesaid，lookingaroundhimwitheager，interestedeyes。"Ihaveanoddfeelingofcominghome。Mymotherwasbornandspentherchildhoodhere，youknow。Sheusedtotalkagreatdealtomeofheroldhome。IknowthegeographyofitaswellasoftheoneIlivedin，and，ofcourse，shetoldmethestoryofthebuildingofthehouse，andofmygrandfather’sagonisedwatchfortheRoyalWilliam。I
　　hadthoughtthatsooldahousemusthavevanishedyearsago，orIshouldhavecometoseeitbeforethis。"
　　"Oldhousesdon’tvanisheasilyonthisenchantedcoast，"smiledAnne。"Thisisa`landwhereallthingsalwaysseemthesame’——nearlyalways，atleast。
　　JohnSelwyn’shousehasn’tevenbeenmuchchanged，andoutsidetherose-bushesyourgrandfatherplantedforhisbridearebloomingthisveryminute。"
　　"Howthethoughtlinksmewiththem！WithyourleaveI
　　mustexplorethewholeplacesoon。"
　　"Ourlatch-stringwillalwaysbeoutforyou，"
　　promisedAnne。"AnddoyouknowthattheoldseacaptainwhokeepstheFourWindslightknewJohnSelwynandhisbridewellinhisboyhood？HetoldmetheirstorythenightIcamehere——thethirdbrideoftheoldhouse。"
　　"Canitbepossible？ThisISadiscovery。Imusthunthimup。"
　　"Itwon’tbedifficult；weareallcroniesofCaptainJim。Hewillbeaseagertoseeyouasyoucouldbetoseehim。Yourgrandmothershineslikeastarinhismemory。ButIthinkMrs。Mooreisexpectingyou。I’llshowyouour`cross-lots’road。"
　　Annewalkedwithhimtothehouseupthebrook，overafieldthatwasaswhiteassnowwithdaisies。A
　　boat-loadofpeopleweresingingfaracrosstheharbor。
　　Thesounddriftedoverthewaterlikefaint，unearthlymusicwind-blownacrossastarlitsea。Thebiglightflashedandbeaconed。OwenFordlookedaroundhimwithsatisfaction。
　　"AndsothisisFourWinds，"hesaid。"Iwasn’tpreparedtofinditquitesobeautiful，inspiteofallmother’spraises。Whatcolors——whatscenery——whatcharm！Ishallgetasstrongasahorseinnotime。
　　Andifinspirationcomesfrombeauty，IshouldcertainlybeabletobeginmygreatCanadiannovelhere。"
　　"Youhaven’tbegunityet？"askedAnne。
　　"Alack-a-day，no。I’veneverbeenabletogettherightcentralideaforit。Itlurksbeyondme——itallures——andbeckons——andrecedes——Ialmostgraspitanditisgone。Perhapsamidthispeaceandloveliness，Ishallbeabletocaptureit。MissBryanttellsmethatyouwrite。"
　　"Oh，Idolittlethingsforchildren。Ihaven’tdonemuchsinceIwasmarried。And——IhavenodesignsonagreatCanadiannovel，"laughedAnne。"Thatisquitebeyondme。"
　　OwenFordlaughedtoo。
　　"Idaresayitisbeyondmeaswell。AllthesameI
　　meantohaveatryatitsomeday，ifIcanevergettime。Anewspapermandoesn’thavemuchchanceforthatsortofthing。I’vedoneagooddealofshortstorywritingforthemagazines，butI’veneverhadtheleisurethatseemstobenecessaryforthewritingofabook。WiththreemonthsoflibertyIoughttomakeastart，though——ifIcouldonlygetthenecessarymotifforit——theSOULofthebook。"
　　AnideawhiskedthroughAnne’sbrainwithasuddennessthatmadeherjump。Butshedidnotutterit，fortheyhadreachedtheMoorehouse。AstheyenteredtheyardLesliecameoutontheverandafromthesidedoor，peeringthroughthegloomforsomesignofherexpectedguest。Shestoodjustwherethewarmyellowlightfloodedherfromtheopendoor。Sheworeaplaindressofcheap，cream-tintedcottonvoile，withtheusualgirdleofcrimson。Lesliewasneverwithouthertouchofcrimson。ShehadtoldAnnethatsheneverfeltsatisfiedwithoutagleamofredsomewhereabouther，ifitwereonlyaflower。ToAnne，italwaysseemedtosymboliseLeslie’sglowing，pent-uppersonality，deniedallexpressionsaveinthatflamingglint。
　　Leslie’sdresswascutalittleawayattheneckandhadshortsleeves。Herarmsgleamedlikeivory-tintedmarble。Everyexquisitecurveofherformwasoutlinedinsoftdarknessagainstthelight。Herhairshoneinitlikeflame。Beyondherwasapurplesky，floweringwithstarsovertheharbor。
　　Anneheardhercompaniongiveagasp。Evenintheduskshecouldseetheamazementandadmirationonhisface。
　　"Whoisthatbeautifulcreature？"heasked。
　　"ThatisMrs。Moore，"saidAnne。"Sheisverylovely，isn’tshe？"
　　"I——Ineversawanythinglikeher，"heanswered，ratherdazedly。"Iwasn’tprepared——Ididn’texpect——goodheavens，oneDOESN’Texpectagoddessforalandlady！Why，ifshewereclothedinagownofsea-purple，witharopeofamethystsinherhair，shewouldbeaveritablesea-queen。Andshetakesinboarders！"
　　"Evengoddessesmustlive，"saidAnne。"AndLeslieisn’tagoddess。She’sjustaverybeautifulwoman，ashumanastherestofus。DidMissBryanttellyouaboutMr。Moore？"
　　"Yes，——he’smentallydeficient，orsomethingofthesort，isn’the？ButshesaidnothingaboutMrs。Moore，andIsupposedshe’dbetheusualhustlingcountryhousewifewhotakesinboarderstoearnanhonestpenny。"
　　"Well，that’sjustwhatLeslieisdoing，"saidAnnecrisply。"Anditisn’taltogetherpleasantforher，either。Ihopeyouwon’tmindDick。Ifyoudo，pleasedon’tletLeslieseeit。Itwouldhurtherhorribly。
　　He’sjustabigbaby，andsometimesaratherannoyingone。"
　　"Oh，Iwon’tmindhim。Idon’tsupposeI’llbemuchinthehouseanyhow，exceptformeals。Butwhatashameitallis！Herlifemustbeahardone。"
　　"Itis。Butshedoesn’tliketobepitied。"
　　Lesliehadgonebackintothehouseandnowmetthematthefrontdoor。ShegreetedOwenFordwithcoldcivility，andtoldhiminabusiness-liketonethathisroomandhissupperwerereadyforhim。Dick，withapleasedgrin，shambledupstairswiththevalise，andOwenFordwasinstalledasaninmateoftheoldhouseamongthewillows。
　　CHAPTER24
　　THELIFE-BOOKOFCAPTAINJIM
　　"Ihavealittlebrowncocoonofanideathatmaypossiblyexpandintoamagnificentmothoffulfilment，"AnnetoldGilbertwhenshereachedhome。
　　Hehadreturnedearlierthanshehadexpected，andwasenjoyingSusan’scherrypie。Susanherselfhoveredinthebackground，likearathergrimbutbeneficentguardianspirit，andfoundasmuchpleasureinwatchingGilberteatpieashedidineatingit。
　　"Whatisyouridea？"heasked。
　　"Isha’n’ttellyoujustyet——nottillIseeifIcanbringthethingabout。"
　　"WhatsortofachapisFord？"
　　"Oh，verynice，andquitegood-looking。"
　　"Suchbeautifulears，doctor，dear，"interjectedSusanwitharelish。
　　"Heisaboutthirtyorthirty-five，Ithink，andhemeditateswritinganovel。Hisvoiceispleasantandhissmiledelightful，andheknowshowtodress。Helooksasiflifehadn’tbeenaltogethereasyforhim，somehow。"
　　OwenFordcameoverthenexteveningwithanotetoAnnefromLeslie；theyspentthesunsettimeinthegardenandthenwentforamoonlitsailontheharbor，inthelittleboatGilberthadsetupforsummeroutings。TheylikedOwenimmenselyandhadthatfeelingofhavingknownhimformanyyearswhichdistinguishesthefreemasonryofthehouseofJoseph。
　　"Heisasniceashisears，Mrs。Doctor，dear，"saidSusan，whenhehadgone。HehadtoldSusanthathehadnevertastedanythinglikeherstrawberryshortcakeandSusan’ssusceptibleheartwashisforever。
　　"Hehasgotawaywithhim。"shereflected，asshecleareduptherelicsofthesupper。"Itisrealqueerheisnotmarried，foramanlikethatcouldhaveanybodyfortheasking。Well，maybeheislikeme，andhasnotmettherightoneyet。"
　　Susanreallygrewquiteromanticinhermusingsasshewashedthesupperdishes。
　　TwonightslaterAnnetookOwenForddowntoFourWindsPointtointroducehimtoCaptainJim。Thecloverfieldsalongtheharborshorewerewhiteninginthewesternwind，andCaptainJimhadoneofhisfinestsunsetsonexhibition。Hehimselfhadjustreturnedfromatripovertheharbor。
　　"IhadtogooverandtellHenryPollackhewasdying。
　　Everybodyelsewasafraidtotellhim。Theyexpectedhe’dtakeonturrible，forhe’sbeendreadfuldeterminedtolive，andbeenmakingnoendofplansforthefall。HiswifethoughtheoughterbetoldandthatI’dbethebestonetobreakittohimthathecouldn’tgetbetter。Henryandmeareoldcronies——wesailedintheGrayGullforyearstogether。Well，IwentoverandsatdownbyHenry’sbedandIsaystohim，saysI，jestrightoutplainandsimple，forifathing’sgottobetolditmayaswellbetoldfirstaslast，saysI，`Mate，Ireckonyou’vegotyoursailingordersthistime，’Iwassorterquakinginside，forit’sanawfulthingtohavetotellamanwhohain’tanyideahe’sdyingthatheis。Butloandbehold，MistressBlythe，Henrylooksupatme，withthosebrightoldblackeyesofhisinhiswizenedfaceandsays，sayshe，`TellmesomethingIdon’tknow，JimBoyd，ifyouwanttogivemeinformation。I’veknownTHATforaweek。’Iwastooastonishedtospeak，andHenry，hechuckled。`Toseeyoucominginhere，’sayshe，`withyourfaceassolemnasatombstoneandsittingdowntherewithyourhandsclaspedoveryourstomach，andpassingmeoutablue-mouldyolditemofnewslikethat！It’dmakeacatlaugh，JimBoyd，’sayshe。`Whotoldyou？’saysI，stupidlike。`Nobody，’sayshe。`AweekagoTuesdaynightIwaslyinghereawake——andIjestknew。I’dsuspicioneditbefore，butthenIKNEW。I’vebeenkeepingupforthewife’ssake。AndI’dLIKEtohavegotthatbarnbuilt，forEben’llnevergetitright。
　　Butanyhow，nowthatyou’veeasedyourmind，Jim，putonasmileandtellmesomethinginteresting，’Well，thereitwas。They’dbeensoscaredtotellhimandheknewitallthetime。Strangehownaturelooksoutforus，ain’tit，andletsusknowwhatweshouldknowwhenthetimecomes？DidInevertellyoutheyarnaboutHenrygettingthefishhookinhisnose，MistressBlythe？"
　　"No。"
　　"Well，himandmehadalaughoverittoday。Ithappenednighuntothirtyyearsago。Himandmeandseveralmorewasoutmackerelfishingoneday。Itwasagreatday——neversawsuchaschoolofmackerelinthegulf——andinthegeneralexcitementHenrygotquitewildandcontrivedtostickafishhookcleanthroughonesideofhisnose。Well，therehewas；therewasbarbononeendandabigpieceofleadontheother，soitcouldn’tbepulledout。Wewantedtotakehimashoreatonce，butHenrywasgame；hesaidhe’dbejiggeredifhe’dleaveaschoollikethatforanythingshortoflockjaw；thenhekeptfishingaway，haulinginhandoverfistandgroaningbetweentimes。Fin’llytheschoolpassedandwecomeinwithaload；Igotafileandbeguntotrytofilethroughthathook。ItriedtobeaseasyasIcould，butyoushouldhaveheardHenry——no，youshouldn’teither。Itwaswellnoladieswerearound。Henrywasn’taswearingman，buthe’dheardsomefewmattersofthatsortalongshoreinhistime，andhefished’emalloutofhisrecollectionandhurled’ematme。Fin’llyhedeclaredhecouldn’tstanditandIhadnobowelsofcompassion。SowehitchedupandIdrovehimtoadoctorinCharlottetown，thirty-fivemiles——thereweren’tnonenearerinthemdays——withthatblessedhookstillhangingfromhisnose。WhenwegotthereoldDr。CrabbjesttookafileandfiledthathookjestthesameasI’dtriedtodo，onlyheweren’tamiteparticularaboutdoingiteasy！"
　　CaptainJim’svisittohisoldfriendhadrevivedmanyrecollectionsandhewasnowinthefulltideofreminiscences。
　　"HenrywasaskingmetodayifIrememberedthetimeoldFatherChiniquyblessedAlexanderMacAllister’sboat。
　　Anotheroddyarn——andtrueasgospel。Iwasintheboatmyself。Wewentout，himandme，inAlexanderMacAllister’sboatonemorningatsunrise。Besides，therewasaFrenchboyintheboat——Catholicofcourse。
　　YouknowoldFatherChiniquyhadturnedProtestant，sotheCatholicshadn’tmuchuseforhim。Well，wesatoutinthegulfinthebroilingsuntillnoon，andnotabitedidweget。WhenwewentashoreoldFatherChiniquyhadtogo，sohesaidinthatpolitewayofhis，`I’mverysorryIcannotgooutwithyoudisafternoon，Mr。MacAllister，butIleaveyoumyblessing。Youwillcatchat’ousanddisafternoon。
　　`Well，wedidnotcatchathousand，butwecaughtexactlyninehundredandninety-nine——thebiggestcatchforasmallboatonthewholenorthshorethatsummer。
　　Curious，wasn’tit？AlexanderMacAllister，hesaystoAndrewPeters，`Well，andwhatdoyouthinkofFatherChiniquynow？’`Vell，’growledAndrew，`It’inkdeolddevilhasgotablessingleftyet。’Laws，howHenrydidlaughoverthattoday！"
　　"DoyouknowwhoMr。Fordis，CaptainJim？"askedAnne，seeingthatCaptainJim’sfountainofreminiscencehadrunoutforthepresent。"Iwantyoutoguess。"
　　CaptainJimshookhishead。
　　"Ineverwasanyhandatguessing，MistressBlythe，andyetsomehowwhenIcomeinIthought，`WherehaveI
　　seenthemeyesbefore？’——forIHAVEseen’em。"
　　"ThinkofaSeptembermorningmanyyearsago，"saidAnne，softly。"Thinkofashipsailinguptheharbor——ashiplongwaitedforanddespairedof。ThinkofthedaytheRoyalWilliamcameinandthefirstlookyouhadattheschoolmaster’sbride。"
　　CaptainJimsprangup。
　　"They’rePersisSelwyn’seyes，"healmostshouted。
　　"Youcan’tbeherson——youmustbeher——"
　　"Grandson；yes，IamAliceSelwyn’sson。"
　　CaptainJimswoopeddownonOwenFordandshookhishandoveragain。
　　"AliceSelwyn’sson！Lord，butyou’rewelcome！Many’sthetimeI’vewonderedwherethedescendantsoftheschoolmasterwereliving。IknewtherewasnoneontheIsland。Alice——Alice——thefirstbabyeverborninthatlittlehouse。Nobabyeverbroughtmorejoy！I’vedandledherahundredtimes。Itwasfrommykneeshetookherfirststepsalone。Can’tIseehermother’sfacewatchingher——anditwasnearsixtyyearsago。Isshelivingyet？"
　　"No，shediedwhenIwasonlyaboy。"
　　"Oh，itdoesn’tseemrightthatIshouldbelivingtohearthat，"sighedCaptainJim。"ButI’mheart-gladtoseeyou。It’sbroughtbackmyyouthforalittlewhile。Youdon’tknowyetwhataboonTHATis。
　　MistressBlytheherehasthetrick——shedoesitquiteoftenforme。"
　　CaptainJimwasstillmoreexcitedwhenhediscoveredthatOwenFordwaswhathecalleda"realwritingman。"Hegazedathimasatasuperiorbeing。
　　CaptainJimknewthatAnnewrote，buthehadnevertakenthatfactveryseriously。CaptainJimthoughtwomenweredelightfulcreatures，whooughttohavethevote，andeverythingelsetheywanted，blesstheirhearts；buthedidnotbelievetheycouldwrite。
　　"JestlookatAMadLove，"hewouldprotest。"Awomanwrotethatandjestlookatit——onehundredandthreechapterswhenitcouldallhavebeentoldinten。A
　　writingwomanneverknowswhentostop；that’sthetrouble。Thep’intofgoodwritingistoknowwhentostop。"
　　"Mr。Fordwantstohearsomeofyourstories，CaptainJim"saidAnne。"TellhimtheoneaboutthecaptainwhowentcrazyandimaginedhewastheFlyingDutchman。"
　　ThiswasCaptainJim’sbeststory。Itwasacompoundofhorrorandhumor，andthoughAnnehadhearditseveraltimesshelaughedasheartilyandshiveredasfearsomelyoveritasMr。Forddid。Othertalesfollowed，forCaptainJimhadanaudienceafterhisownheart。Hetoldhowhisvesselhadbeenrundownbyasteamer；howhehadbeenboardedbyMalaypirates；howhisshiphadcaughtfire；howhehelpedapoliticalprisonerescapefromaSouthAfricanrepublic；howhehadbeenwreckedonefallontheMagdalensandstrandedthereforthewinter；howatigerhadbrokenlooseonboardship；howhiscrewhadmutiniedandmaroonedhimonabarrenisland——theseandmanyothertales，tragicorhumorousorgrotesque，didCaptainJimrelate。Themysteryofthesea，thefascinationoffarlands，thelureofadventure，thelaughteroftheworld——hishearersfeltandrealisedthemall。OwenFordlistened，withhisheadonhishand，andtheFirstMatepurringonhisknee，hisbrillianteyesfastenedonCaptainJim’srugged，eloquentface。
　　"Won’tyouletMr。Fordseeyourlife-book，CaptainJim？"askedAnne，whenCaptainJimfinallydeclaredthatyarn-spinningmustendforthetime。
　　"Oh，hedon’twanttobebotheredwithTHAT，"
　　protestedCaptainJim，whowassecretlydyingtoshowit。
　　"Ishouldlikenothingbetterthantoseeit，CaptainBoyd，"saidOwen。"Ifitishalfaswonderfulasyourtalesitwillbeworthseeing。"
　　WithpretendedreluctanceCaptainJimdughislife-bookoutofhisoldchestandhandedittoOwen。
　　"Ireckonyouwon’tcaretowrastlelongwithmyoldhando’write。Ineverhadmuchschooling，"heobservedcarelessly。"JustwrotethattheretoamusemynephewJoe。He’salwayswantingstories。Comeshereyesterdayandsaystome，reproachful-like，asI
　　wasliftingatwenty-poundcodfishoutofmyboat，`UncleJim，ain’tacodfishadumbanimal？’I’dbeena-tellinghim，yousee，thathemustberealkindtodumbanimals，andneverhurt’eminanyway。Igotoutofthescrapebysayingacodfishwasdumbenoughbutitwasn’tananimal，butJoedidn’tlooksatisfied，andIwasn’tsatisfiedmyself。You’vegottobemightycarefulwhatyoutellthemlittlecritters。THEYcanseethroughyou。"
　　Whiletalking，CaptainJimwatchedOwenFordfromthecornerofhiseyeasthelatterexaminedthelife-book；
　　andpresentlyobservingthathisguestwaslostinitspages，heturnedsmilinglytohiscupboardandproceededtomakeapotoftea。OwenFordseparatedhimselffromthelife-book，withasmuchreluctanceasamiserwrencheshimselffromhisgold，longenoughtodrinkhistea，andthenreturnedtoithungrily。
　　"Oh，youcantakethatthinghomewithyouifyouwantto，"saidCaptainJim，asifthe"thing"werenothismosttreasuredpossession。"Imustgodownandpullmyboatupabitontheskids。There’sawindcoming。
　　Didyounoticetheskytonight？
　　Mackerelskiesandmares’tailsMaketallshipscarryshortsails。"
　　OwenFordacceptedtheofferofthelife-bookgladly。
　　OntheirwayhomeAnnetoldhimthestoryoflostMargaret。
　　"Thatoldcaptainisawonderfuloldfellow，"hesaid。
　　"Whatalifehehasled！Why，themanhadmoreadventuresinoneweekofhislifethanmostofushaveinalifetime。Doyoureallythinkhistalesarealltrue？"
　　"Icertainlydo。IamsureCaptainJimcouldnottellalie；andbesides，allthepeopleaboutheresaythateverythinghappenedasherelatesit。Thereusedtobeplentyofhisoldshipmatesalivetocorroboratehim。
　　He’soneofthelastoftheoldtypeofP。E。Islandsea-captains。Theyarealmostextinctnow。"
　　CHAPTER25
　　THEWRITINGOFTHEBOOK
　　OwenFordcameovertothelittlehousethenextmorninginastateofgreatexcitement。"Mrs。Blythe，thisisawonderfulbook——absolutelywonderful。IfI
　　couldtakeitandusethematerialforabookIfeelcertainIcouldmakethenoveloftheyearoutofit。
　　DoyousupposeCaptainJimwouldletmedoit？"
　　"Letyou！I’msurehewouldbedelighted，"criedAnne。"IadmitthatitwaswhatwasinmyheadwhenI
　　tookyoudownlastnight。CaptainJimhasalwaysbeenwishinghecouldgetsomebodytowritehislife-bookproperlyforhim。"
　　"WillyougodowntothePointwithmethisevening，Mrs。Blythe？I’llaskhimaboutthatlife-bookmyself，butIwantyoutotellhimthatyoutoldmethestoryoflostMargaretandaskhimifhewillletmeuseitasathreadofromancewithwhichtoweavethestoriesofthelife-bookintoaharmoniouswhole。"
　　CaptainJimwasmoreexcitedthaneverwhenOwenFordtoldhimofhisplan。Atlasthischerisheddreamwastoberealizedandhis"life-book"giventotheworld。
　　HewasalsopleasedthatthestoryoflostMargaretshouldbewovenintoit。
　　"Itwillkeephernamefrombeingforgotten，"hesaidwistfully。
　　"That’swhyIwantitputin。"
　　"We’llcollaborate，"criedOwendelightedly。"YouwillgivethesoulandIthebody。Oh，we’llwriteafamousbookbetweenus，CaptainJim。Andwe’llgetrighttowork。"
　　"Andtothinkmybookistobewritbytheschoolmaster’sgrandson！"exclaimedCaptainJim。
　　"Lad，yourgrandfatherwasmydearestfriend。I
　　thoughttherewasnobodylikehim。IseenowwhyIhadtowaitsolong。Itcouldn’tbewrittilltherightmancome。YouBELONGhere——you’vegotthesoulofthisoldnorthshoreinyou——you’retheonlyonewhoCOULD
　　writeit。"
　　ItwasarrangedthatthetinyroomoffthelivingroomatthelighthouseshouldbegivenovertoOwenforaworkshop。ItwasnecessarythatCaptainJimshouldbenearhimashewrote，forconsultationuponmanymattersofsea-faringandgulfloreofwhichOwenwasquiteignorant。
　　Hebeganworkonthebooktheverynextmorning，andflunghimselfintoitheartandsoul。AsforCaptainJim，hewasahappymanthatsummer。HelookeduponthelittleroomwhereOwenworkedasasacredshrine。
　　OwentalkedeverythingoverwithCaptainJim，buthewouldnotlethimseethemanuscript。
　　"Youmustwaituntilitispublished，"hesaid。"Thenyou’llgetitallatonceinitsbestshape。"
　　Hedelvedintothetreasuresofthelife-bookandusedthemfreely。HedreamedandbroodedoverlostMargaretuntilshebecameavividrealitytohimandlivedinhispages。Asthebookprogressedittookpossessionofhimandheworkedatitwithfeverisheagerness。HeletAnneandLesliereadthemanuscriptandcriticiseit；andtheconcludingchapterofthebook，whichthecritics，lateron，werepleasedtocallidyllic，wasmodelleduponasuggestionofLeslie’s。
　　Annefairlyhuggedherselfwithdelightoverthesuccessofheridea。
　　"IknewwhenIlookedatOwenFordthathewastheverymanforit，"shetoldGilbert。"Bothhumorandpassionwereinhisface，andthat，togetherwiththeartofexpression，wasjustwhatwasnecessaryforthewritingofsuchabook。AsMrs。Rachelwouldsay，hewaspredestinedforthepart。"
　　OwenFordwroteinthemornings。TheafternoonsweregenerallyspentinsomemerryoutingwiththeBlythes。
　　Leslieoftenwent，too，forCaptainJimtookchargeofDickfrequently，inordertosetherfree。Theywentboatingontheharborandupthethreeprettyriversthatflowedintoit；theyhadclambakesonthebarandmussel-bakesontherocks；theypickedstrawberriesonthesand-dunes；theywentoutcod-fishingwithCaptainJim；theyshotploverintheshorefieldsandwildducksinthecove——atleast，themendid。Intheeveningstheyrambledinthelow-lying，daisied，shorefieldsunderagoldenmoon，ortheysatinthelivingroomatthelittlehousewhereoftenthecoolnessoftheseabreezejustifiedadriftwoodfire，andtalkedofthethousandandonethingswhichhappy，eager，cleveryoungpeoplecanfindtotalkabout。
　　EversincethedayonwhichshehadmadeherconfessiontoAnneLesliehadbeenachangedcreature。Therewasnotraceofheroldcoldnessandreserve，noshadowofheroldbitterness。Thegirlhoodofwhichshehadbeencheatedseemedtocomebacktoherwiththeripenessofwomanhood；sheexpandedlikeaflowerofflameandperfume；nolaughwasreadierthanhers，nowitquicker，inthetwilightcirclesofthatenchantedsummer。Whenshecouldnotbewiththemallfeltthatsomeexquisitesavorwaslackingintheirintercourse。
　　Herbeautywasilluminedbytheawakenedsoulwithin，assomerosylampmightshinethroughaflawlessvaseofalabaster。TherewerehourswhenAnne’seyesseemedtoachewiththesplendorofher。AsforOwenFord，the"Margaret"ofhisbook，althoughshehadthesoftbrownhairandelfinfaceoftherealgirlwhohadvanishedsolongago，"pillowedwherelostAtlantissleeps，"hadthepersonalityofLeslieMoore，asitwasrevealedtohiminthosehalcyondaysatFourWindsHarbor。
　　Allinall，itwasanever-to-be-forgottensummer——oneofthosesummerswhichcomeseldomintoanylife，butleavearichheritageofbeautifulmemoriesintheirgoing——oneofthosesummerswhich，inafortunatecombinationofdelightfulweather，delightfulfriendsanddelightfuldoings，comeasneartoperfectionasanythingcancomeinthisworld。
　　"Toogoodtolast，"Annetoldherselfwithalittlesigh，ontheSeptemberdaywhenacertainnipinthewindandacertainshadeofintenseblueonthegulfwatersaidthatautumnwashardby。
　　ThateveningOwenFordtoldthemthathehadfinishedhisbookandthathisvacationmustcometoanend。
　　"Ihaveagooddealtodotoityet——revisingandpruningandsoforth，"hesaid，"butinthemainit’sdone。Iwrotethelastsentencethismorning。IfI
　　canfindapublisherforititwillprobablybeoutnextsummerorfall。"
　　Owenhadnotmuchdoubtthathewouldfindapublisher。
　　Heknewthathehadwrittenagreatbook——abookthatwouldscoreawonderfulsuccess——abookthatwouldLIVE。Heknewthatitwouldbringhimbothfameandfortune；butwhenhehadwrittenthelastlineofithehadbowedhisheadonthemanuscriptandsosatforalongtime。Andhisthoughtswerenotofthegoodworkhehaddone。
　　CHAPTER26
　　OWENFORD’SCONFESSION
　　"I’msosorryGilbertisaway，"saidAnne。"Hehadtogo——AllanLyonsattheGlenhasmetwithaseriousaccident。Hewillnotlikelybehometillverylate。
　　Buthetoldmetotellyouhe’dbeupandoverearlyenoughinthemorningtoseeyoubeforeyouleft。It’stooprovoking。SusanandIhadplannedsuchanicelittlejamboreeforyourlastnighthere。"
　　ShewassittingbesidethegardenbrookonthelittlerusticseatGilberthadbuilt。OwenFordstoodbeforeher，leaningagainstthebronzecolumnofayellowbirch。Hewasverypaleandhisfaceborethemarksoftheprecedingsleeplessnight。Anne，glancingupathim，wonderedif，afterall，hissummerhadbroughthimthestrengthitshould。Hadheworkedtoohardoverhisbook？Sherememberedthatforaweekhehadnotbeenlookingwell。
　　"I’mrathergladthedoctorisaway，"saidOwenslowly。"Iwantedtoseeyoualone，Mrs。Blythe。
　　ThereissomethingImusttellsomebody，orIthinkitwilldrivememad。I’vebeentryingforaweektolookitintheface——andIcan’t。IknowIcantrustyou——and，besides，youwillunderstand。Awomanwitheyeslikeyoursalwaysunderstands。Youareoneofthefolkspeopleinstinctivelytellthingsto。Mrs。
　　Blythe，IloveLeslie。LOVEher！Thatseemstooweakaword！"
　　Hisvoicesuddenlybrokewiththesuppressedpassionofhisutterance。Heturnedhisheadawayandhidhisfaceonhisarm。Hiswholeformshook。Annesatlookingathim，paleandaghast。Shehadneverthoughtofthis！Andyet——howwasitshehadneverthoughtofit？Itnowseemedanaturalandinevitablething。Shewonderedatherownblindness。
　　But——but——thingslikethisdidnothappeninFourWinds。Elsewhereintheworldhumanpassionsmightsetatdefiancehumanconventionsandlaws——butnotHERE，surely。Lesliehadkeptsummerboardersoffandonfortenyears，andnothinglikethishadhappened。ButperhapstheyhadnotbeenlikeOwenFord；andthevivid，LIVINGLeslieofthissummerwasnotthecold，sullengirlofotheryears。Oh，SOMEBODYshouldhavethoughtofthis！Whyhadn’tMissCorneliathoughtofit？MissCorneliawasalwaysreadyenoughtosoundthealarmwheremenwereconcerned。AnnefeltanunreasonableresentmentagainstMissCornelia。Thenshegavealittleinwardgroan。Nomatterwhowastoblamethemischiefwasdone。AndLeslie——whatofLeslie？ItwasforLeslieAnnefeltmostconcerned。
　　"DoesLeslieknowthis，Mr。Ford？"sheaskedquietly。
　　"No——no，——unlessshehasguessedit。Yousurelydon’tthinkI’dbecadandscoundrelenoughtotellher，Mrs。
　　Blythe。Icouldn’thelplovingher——that’sall——andmymiseryisgreaterthanIcanbear。"
　　"DoesSHEcare？"askedAnne。Themomentthequestioncrossedherlipsshefeltthatsheshouldnothaveaskedit。OwenFordanswereditwithovereagerprotest。
　　"No——no，ofcoursenot。ButIcouldmakehercareifshewerefree——IknowIcould。"
　　"Shedoescare——andheknowsit，"thoughtAnne。Aloudshesaid，sympatheticallybutdecidedly:
　　"Butsheisnotfree，Mr。Ford。Andtheonlythingyoucandoistogoawayinsilenceandleavehertoherownlife。"
　　"Iknow——Iknow，"groanedOwen。Hesatdownonthegrassybankandstaredmoodilyintotheamberwaterbeneathhim。"Iknowthere’snothingtodo——nothingbuttosayconventionally，`Good-bye，Mrs。Moore。
　　Thankyouforallyourkindnesstomethissummer，’
　　justasIwouldhavesaidittothesonsy，bustling，keen-eyedhousewifeIexpectedhertobewhenIcame。
　　ThenI’llpaymyboardmoneylikeanyhonestboarderandgo！Oh，it’sverysimple。Nodoubt——noperplexity——astraightroadtotheendoftheworld！
　　AndI’llwalkit——youneedn’tfearthatIwon’t，Mrs。
　　Blythe。Butitwouldbeeasiertowalkoverred-hotploughshares。"
　　Anneflinchedwiththepainofhisvoice。Andtherewassolittleshecouldsaythatwouldbeadequatetothesituation。Blamewasoutofthequestion——advicewasnotneeded——sympathywasmockedbytheman’sstarkagony。Shecouldonlyfeelwithhiminamazeofcompassionandregret。HerheartachedforLeslie！
　　Hadnotthatpoorgirlsufferedenoughwithoutthis？
　　"Itwouldn’tbesohardtogoandleaveherifshewereonlyhappy，"resumedOwenpassionately。"Buttothinkofherlivingdeath——torealisewhatitistowhichI
　　doleaveher！THATistheworstofall。Iwouldgivemylifetomakeherhappy——andIcandonothingeventohelpher——nothing。Sheisboundforevertothatpoorwretch——withnothingtolookforwardtobutgrowingoldinasuccessionofempty，meaningless，barrenyears。
　　Itdrivesmemadtothinkofit。ButImustgothroughmylife，neverseeingher，butalwaysknowingwhatsheisenduring。It’shideous——hideous！"
　　"Itisveryhard，"saidAnnesorrowfully。"We——herfriendshere——allknowhowharditisforher。"
　　"Andsheissorichlyfittedforlife，"saidOwenrebelliously。
　　"Herbeautyistheleastofherdower——andsheisthemostbeautifulwomanI’veeverknown。Thatlaughofhers！I’veangledallsummertoevokethatlaugh，justforthedelightofhearingit。Andhereyes——theyareasdeepandblueasthegulfoutthere。Ineversawsuchblueness——andgold！Didyoueverseeherhairdown，Mrs。Blythe？"
　　"No。"
　　"Idid——once。IhadgonedowntothePointtogofishingwithCaptainJimbutitwastooroughtogoout，soIcameback。Shehadtakentheopportunityofwhatsheexpectedtobeanafternoonalonetowashherhair，andshewasstandingontheverandainthesunshinetodryit。Itfellallabouthertoherfeetinafountainoflivinggold。Whenshesawmeshehurriedin，andthewindcaughtherhairandswirleditallaroundher——Danaeinhercloud。Somehow，justthentheknowledgethatIlovedhercamehometome——andrealisedthatIhadlovedherfromthemomentIfirstsawherstandingagainstthedarknessinthatglowoflight。Andshemustliveonhere——pettingandsoothingDick，pinchingandsavingforamereexistence，whileI
　　spendmylifelongingvainlyforher，anddebarred，bythatveryfact，fromevengivingherthelittlehelpafriendmight。Iwalkedtheshorelastnight，almosttilldawn，andthrasheditalloutoverandoveragain。
　　Andyet，inspiteofeverything，Ican’tfinditinmyhearttobesorrythatIcametoFourWinds。Itseemstomethat，badaseverythingis，itwouldbestillworsenevertohaveknownLeslie。It’sburning，searingpaintoloveherandleaveher——butnottohavelovedherisunthinkable。Isupposeallthissoundsverycrazy——alltheseterribleemotionsalwaysdosoundfoolishwhenweputthemintoourinadequatewords。
　　Theyarenotmeanttobespoken——onlyfeltandendured。
　　Ishouldn’thavespoken——butithashelped——some。Atleast，ithasgivenmestrengthtogoawayrespectablytomorrowmorning，withoutmakingascene。You’llwritemenowandthen，won’tyou，Mrs。Blythe，andgivemewhatnewsthereistogiveofher？"
　　"Yes，"saidAnne。"Oh，I’msosorryyouaregoing——we’llmissyouso——we’veallbeensuchfriends！
　　Ifitwerenotforthisyoucouldcomebackothersummers。Perhaps，evenyet——by-and-by——whenyou’veforgotten，perhaps——"
　　"Ishallneverforget——andIshallnevercomebacktoFourWinds，"saidOwenbriefly。
　　Silenceandtwilightfelloverthegarden。Farawaytheseawaslappinggentlyandmonotonouslyonthebar。
　　Thewindofeveninginthepoplarssoundedlikesomesad，weird，oldrune——somebrokendreamofoldmemories。Aslendershapelyyoungaspenroseupbeforethemagainstthefinemaizeandemeraldandpalingroseofthewesternsky，whichbroughtouteveryleafandtwigindark，tremulous，elfinloveliness。
　　"Isn’tthatbeautiful？"saidOwen，pointingtoitwiththeairofamanwhoputsacertainconversationbehindhim。
　　"It’ssobeautifulthatithurtsme，"saidAnnesoftly。"Perfectthingslikethatalwaysdidhurtme——IrememberIcalledit`thequeerache’whenIwasachild。Whatisthereasonthatpainlikethisseemsinseparablefromperfection？Isitthepainoffinality——whenwerealisethattherecanbenothingbeyondbutretrogression？"
　　"Perhaps，"saidOwendreamily，"itistheprisonedinfiniteinuscallingouttoitskindredinfiniteasexpressedinthatvisibleperfection。"
　　"Youseemtohaveacoldinthehead。Betterrubsometallowonyournosewhenyougotobed，"saidMissCornelia，whohadcomeinthroughthelittlegatebetweenthefirsintimetocatchOwen’slastremark。
　　MissCornelialikedOwen；butitwasamatterofprinciplewithhertovisitany"high-falutin"
　　languagefromamanwithasnub。
　　MissCorneliapersonatedthecomedythateverpeepsaroundthecorneratthetragedyoflife。Anne，whosenerveshadbeenratherstrained，laughedhysterically，andevenOwensmiled。Certainly，sentimentandpassionhadawayofshrinkingoutofsightinMissCornelia’spresence。AndyettoAnnenothingseemedquiteashopelessanddarkandpainfulasithadseemedafewmomentsbefore。Butsleepwasfarfromhereyesthatnight。
　　CHAPTER27
　　ONTHESANDBAR
　　OwenFordleftFourWindsthenextmorning。IntheeveningAnnewentovertoseeLeslie，butfoundnobody。
　　Thehousewaslockedandtherewasnolightinanywindow。Itlookedlikeahomeleftsoulless。Lesliedidnotrunoveronthefollowingday——whichAnnethoughtabadsign。
　　Gilberthavingoccasiontogointheeveningtothefishingcove，AnnedrovewithhimtothePoint，intendingtostayawhilewithCaptainJim。Butthegreatlight，cuttingitsswathesthroughthefogoftheautumnevening，wasincareofAlecBoydandCaptainJimwasaway。
　　"Whatwillyoudo？"askedGilbert。"Comewithme？"
　　"Idon’twanttogotothecove——butI’llgooverthechannelwithyou，androamaboutonthesandshoretillyoucomeback。Therockshoreistooslipperyandgrimtonight。"
　　AloneonthesandsofthebarAnnegaveherselfuptotheeeriecharmofthenight。ItwaswarmforSeptember，andthelateafternoonhadbeenveryfoggy；
　　butafullmoonhadinpartlessenedthefogandtransformedtheharborandthegulfandthesurroundingshoresintoastrange，fantastic，unrealworldofpalesilvermist，throughwhicheverythingloomedphantom-like。CaptainJosiahCrawford’sblackschoonersailingdownthechannel，ladenwithpotatoesforBluenoseports，wasaspectralshipboundforafarunchartedland，everreceding，nevertobereached。
　　Thecallsofunseengullsoverheadwerethecriesofthesoulsofdoomedseamen。Thelittlecurlsoffoamthatblewacrossthesandwereelfinthingsstealingupfromthesea-caves。Thebig，round-shoulderedsand-duneswerethesleepinggiantsofsomeoldnortherntale。Thelightsthatglimmeredpalelyacrosstheharborwerethedelusivebeaconsonsomecoastoffairyland。Annepleasedherselfwithahundredfanciesasshewanderedthroughthemist。Itwasdelightful——romantic——mysterioustoberoamingherealoneonthisenchantedshore。
　　Butwasshealone？Somethingloomedinthemistbeforeher——tookshapeandform——suddenlymovedtowardsheracrossthewave-rippledsand。
　　"Leslie！"exclaimedAnneinamazement。"Whateverareyoudoing——HERE——tonight？"
　　"Ifitcomestothat，whateverareYOUdoinghere？"
　　saidLeslie，tryingtolaugh。Theeffortwasafailure。Shelookedverypaleandtired；butthelovelocksunderherscarletcapwerecurlingaboutherfaceandeyeslikelittlesparklingringsofgold。
　　"I’mwaitingforGilbert——he’soverattheCove。I
　　intendedtostayatthelight，butCaptainJimisaway。"
　　"Well，_I_cameherebecauseIwantedtowalk——andwalk——andWALK，"saidLeslierestlessly。"Icouldn’tontherockshore——thetidewastoohighandtherocksprisonedme。Ihadtocomehere——orIshouldhavegonemad，Ithink。IrowedmyselfoverthechannelinCaptainJim’sflat。I’vebeenhereforanhour。
　　Come——come——letuswalk。Ican’tstandstill。Oh，Anne！"
　　"Leslie，dearest，whatisthetrouble？"askedAnne，thoughsheknewtoowellalready。
　　"Ican’ttellyou——don’taskme。Iwouldn’tmindyourknowing——Iwishyoudidknow——butIcan’ttellyou——I
　　can’ttellanyone。I’vebeensuchafool，Anne——andoh，ithurtssoterriblytobeafool。There’snothingsopainfulintheworld。"
　　Shelaughedbitterly。Anneslippedherarmaroundher。
　　"Leslie，isitthatyouhavelearnedtocareforMr。
　　Ford？"
　　Leslieturnedherselfaboutpassionately。
　　"Howdidyouknow？"shecried。"Anne，howdidyouknow？Oh，isitwritteninmyfaceforeveryonetosee？Isitasplainasthat？"
　　"No，no。I——Ican’ttellyouhowIknew。Itjustcameintomymind，somehow。Leslie，don’tlookatmelikethat！"
　　"Doyoudespiseme？"demandedLeslieinafierce，lowtone。"DoyouthinkI’mwicked——unwomanly？OrdoyouthinkI’mjustplainfool？"
　　"Idon’tthinkyouanyofthosethings。Come，dear，let’sjusttalkitoversensibly，aswemighttalkoveranyotherofthegreatcrisesoflife。You’vebeenbroodingoveritandletyourselfdriftintoamorbidviewofit。Youknowyouhavealittletendencytodothatabouteverythingthatgoeswrong，andyoupromisedmethatyouwouldfightagainstit。"
　　"But——oh，it’sso——soshameful，"murmuredLeslie。"Tolovehim——unsought——andwhenI’mnotfreetoloveanybody。"
　　"There’snothingshamefulaboutit。ButI’mverysorrythatyouhavelearnedtocareforOwen，because，asthingsare，itwillonlymakeyoumoreunhappy。"
　　"Ididn’tLEARNtocare，"saidLeslie，walkingonandspeakingpassionately。"IfithadbeenlikethatI
　　couldhavepreventedit。Ineverdreamedofsuchathinguntilthatday，aweekago，whenhetoldmehehadfinishedhisbookandmustsoongoaway。Then——
　　thenIknew。Ifeltasifsomeonehadstruckmeaterribleblow。Ididn’tsayanything——Icouldn’tspeak——butIdon’tknowwhatIlookedlike。I’msoafraidmyfacebetrayedme。Oh，IwoulddieofshameifIthoughtheknew——orsuspected。"
　　Annewasmiserablysilent，hamperedbyherdeductionsfromherconversationwithOwen。Lesliewentonfeverishly，asifshefoundreliefinspeech。
　　"Iwassohappyallthissummer，Anne——happierthanI
　　everwasinmylife。Ithoughtitwasbecauseeverythinghadbeenmadeclearbetweenyouandme，andthatitwasourfriendshipwhichmadelifeseemsobeautifulandfulloncemore。AnditWAS，inpart——butnotall——oh，notnearlyall。Iknownowwhyeverythingwassodifferent。Andnowit’sallover——andhehasgone。HowcanIlive，Anne？WhenIturnedbackintothehousethismorningafterhehadgonethesolitudestruckmelikeablowintheface。"
　　"Itwon’tseemsohardbyandby，dear，"saidAnne，whoalwaysfeltthepainofherfriendssokeenlythatshecouldnotspeakeasy，fluentwordsofcomforting。
　　Besides，sherememberedhowwell-meantspeecheshadhurtherinherownsorrowandwasafraid。
　　"Oh，itseemstomeitwillgrowharderallthetime，"
　　saidLesliemiserably。"I’venothingtolookforwardto。Morningwillcomeaftermorning——andhewillnotcomeback——hewillnevercomeback。Oh，whenIthinkthatIwillneverseehimagainIfeelasifagreatbrutalhandhadtwisteditselfamongmyheartstrings，andwaswrenchingthem。Once，longago，Idreamedoflove——andIthoughtitmustbebeautiful——andNOW——itslikeTHIS。Whenhewentawayyesterdaymorninghewassocoldandindifferent。Hesaid`Good-bye，Mrs。
　　Moore’inthecoldesttoneintheworld——asifwehadnotevenbeenfriends——asifImeantabsolutelynothingtohim。IknowIdon’t——Ididn’twanthimtocare——butheMIGHThavebeenalittlekinder。"
　　"Oh，IwishGilbertwouldcome，"thoughtAnne。ShewasrackedbetweenhersympathyforLeslieandthenecessityofavoidinganythingthatwouldbetrayOwen’sconfidence。Sheknewwhyhisgood-byehadbeensocold——whyitcouldnothavethecordialitythattheirgood-comradeshipdemanded——butshecouldnottellLeslie。
　　"Icouldn’thelpit，Anne——Icouldn’thelpit，"saidpoorLeslie。
　　"Iknowthat。"
　　"Doyoublamemesoverymuch？"
　　"Idon’tblameyouatall。"
　　"Andyouwon’t——youwon’ttellGilbert？"
　　"Leslie！DoyouthinkIwoulddosuchathing？"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknow——youandGilbertaresuchCHUMS。I
　　don’tseehowyoucouldhelptellinghimeverything。"
　　"Everythingaboutmyownconcerns——yes。Butnotmyfriends’secrets。"
　　"Icouldn’thaveHIMknow。ButI’mgladYOUknow。I
　　wouldfeelguiltyiftherewereanythingIwasashamedtotellyou。IhopeMissCorneliawon’tfindout。
　　SometimesIfeelasifthoseterrible，kindbrowneyesofhersreadmyverysoul。Oh，Iwishthismistwouldneverlift——IwishIcouldjuststayinitforever，hiddenawayfromeverylivingbeing。Idon’tseehowI
　　cangoonwithlife。Thissummerhasbeensofull。I
　　neverwaslonelyforamoment。BeforeOwencamethereusedtobehorriblemoments——whenIhadbeenwithyouandGilbert——andthenhadtoleaveyou。YoutwowouldwalkawaytogetherandIwouldwalkawayALONE。AfterOwencamehewasalwaystheretowalkhomewithme——wewouldlaughandtalkasyouandGilbertweredoing——therewerenomorelonely，enviousmomentsforme。AndNOW！Oh，yes，I’vebeenafool。Let’shavedonetalkingaboutmyfolly。I’llneverboreyouwithitagain。"
　　"HereisGilbert，andyouarecomingbackwithus，"
　　saidAnne，whohadnointentionofleavingLeslietowanderaloneonthesand-baronsuchanightandinsuchamood。"There’splentyofroominourboatforthree，andwe’lltietheflatonbehind。"
　　"Oh，IsupposeImustreconcilemyselftobeingtheoddoneagain，"saidpoorLesliewithanotherbitterlaugh。"Forgiveme，Anne——thatwashateful。Ioughttobethankful——andIAM——thatIhavetwogoodfriendswhoaregladtocountmeinasathird。Don’tmindmyhatefulspeeches。Ijustseemtobeonegreatpainalloverandeverythinghurtsme。"
　　"Leslieseemedveryquiettonight，didn’tshe？"saidGilbert，whenheandAnnereachedhome。"Whatintheworldwasshedoingoverthereonthebaralone？"
　　"Oh，shewastired——andyouknowshelikestogototheshoreafteroneofDick’sbaddays。"
　　"Whatapityshehadn’tmetandmarriedafellowlikeFordlongago，"ruminatedGilbert。"They’dhavemadeanidealcouple，wouldn’tthey？"
　　"Forpity’ssake，Gilbert，don’tdevelopintoamatch-maker。It’sanabominableprofessionforaman，"criedAnnerathersharply，afraidthatGilbertmightblunderonthetruthifhekeptoninthisstrain。
　　"Blessus，Anne-girl，I’mnotmatchmaking，"protestedGilbert，rathersurprisedathertone。"Iwasonlythinkingofoneofthemight-have-beens。"
　　"Well，don’t。It’sawasteoftime，"saidAnne。Thensheaddedsuddenly:
　　"Oh，Gilbert，Iwisheverybodycouldbeashappyasweare。"
　　CHAPTER28
　　ODDSANDENDS
　　"I’vebeenreadingobituarynotices，"saidMissCornelia，layingdowntheDailyEnterpriseandtakinguphersewing。
　　TheharborwaslyingblackandsullenunderadourNovembersky；thewet，deadleavesclungdrenchedandsoddentothewindowsills；butthelittlehousewasgaywithfirelightandspring-likewithAnne’sfernsandgeraniums。
　　"It’salwayssummerhere，Anne，"Lesliehadsaidoneday；andallwhoweretheguestsofthathouseofdreamsfeltthesame。
　　"TheEnterpriseseemstoruntoobituariesthesedays，"quothMissCornelia。"Italwayshasacoupleofcolumnsofthem，andIreadeveryline。It’soneofmyformsofrecreation，especiallywhenthere’ssomeoriginalpoetryattachedtothem。Here’sachoicesampleforyou:
　　She’sgonetobewithherMaker，Nevermoretoroam。SheusedtoplayandsingwithjoyThesongofHome，SweetHome。
　　Whosayswehaven’tanypoeticaltalentontheIsland！
　　Haveyouevernoticedwhatheapsofgoodpeopledie，Anne，dearie？It’skindofpitiful。Here’stenobituaries，andeveryoneofthemsaintsandmodels，eventhemen。Here’soldPeterStimson，whohas`leftalargecircleoffriendstomournhisuntimelyloss。’
　　Lord，Anne，dearie，thatmanwaseighty，andeverybodywhoknewhimhadbeenwishinghimdeadthesethirtyyears。Readobituarieswhenyou’reblue，Anne，dearie——especiallytheonesoffolksyouknow。Ifyou’veanysenseofhumoratallthey’llcheeryouup，believeME。Ijustwish_I_hadthewritingoftheobituariesofsomepeople。Isn’t`obituary’anawfuluglyword？ThisveryPeterI’vebeenspeakingofhadafaceexactlylikeone。IneversawitbutIthoughtofthewordOBITUARYthenandthere。There’sonlyoneuglierwordthatIknowof，andthat’sRELICT。Lord，Anne，dearie，Imaybeanoldmaid，butthere’sthiscomfortinit——I’llneverbeanyman’s`relict。’"
　　"ItISanuglyword，"saidAnne，laughing。"Avonleagraveyardwasfullofoldtombstones`sacredtothememoryofSo-and-So，RELICTofthelateSo-and-So。’Italwaysmademethinkofsomethingwornoutandmotheaten。Whyisitthatsomanyofthewordsconnectedwithdeatharesodisagreeable？Idowishthatthecustomofcallingadeadbody`theremains’couldbeabolished。IpositivelyshiverwhenIheartheundertakersayatafuneral，`Allwhowishtoseetheremainspleasestepthisway。’ItalwaysgivesmethehorribleimpressionthatIamabouttoviewthesceneofacannibalfeast。"
　　"Well，allIhope，"saidMissCorneliacalmly，"isthatwhenI’mdeadnobodywillcallme`ourdepartedsister。’Itookascunneratthissister-and-brotheringbusinessfiveyearsagowhentherewasatravellingevangelistholdingmeetingsattheGlen。Ihadn’tanyuseforhimfromthestart。I
　　feltinmybonesthattherewassomethingwrongwithhim。Andtherewas。Mindyou，hewaspretendingtobeaPresbyterian——PresbyTARian，HEcalledit——andallthetimehewasaMethodist。Hebrotheredandsisteredeverybody。Hehadalargecircleofrelations，thatmanhad。Heclutchedmyhandferventlyonenight，andsaidimploringly，`MyDEARsisterBryant，areyouaChristian？’Ijustlookedhimoverabit，andthenI
　　saidcalmly，`TheonlybrotherIeverhad，MR。Fiske，wasburiedfifteenyearsago，andIhaven’tadoptedanysince。AsforbeingaChristian，Iwasthat，Ihopeandbelieve，whenyouwerecrawlingaboutthefloorinpetticoats。’THATsquelchedhim，believeME。Mindyou，Annedearie，I’mnotdownonallevangelists。
　　We’vehadsomerealfine，earnestmen，whodidalotofgoodandmadetheoldsinnerssquirm。ButthisFiske-manwasn’toneofthem。Ihadagoodlaughalltomyselfoneevening。FiskehadaskedallwhowereChristianstostandup。_I_didn’t，believeme！I
　　neverhadanyuseforthatsortofthing。Butmostofthemdid，andthenheaskedallwhowantedtobeChristianstostandup。Nobodystirredforaspell，soFiskestartedupahymnatthetopofhisvoice。JustinfrontofmepoorlittleIkeyBakerwassittingintheMillisonpew。Hewasahomeboy，tenyearsold，andMillisonjustaboutworkedhimtodeath。Thepoorlittlecreaturewasalwayssotiredhefellasleeprightoffwheneverhewenttochurchoranywherehecouldsitstillforafewminutes。He’dbeensleepingallthroughthemeeting，andIwasthankfultoseethepoorchildgettingarest，believeME。Well，whenFiske’svoicewentsoaringskywardandtherestjoinedin，poorIkeywakenedwithastart。Hethoughtitwasjustanordinarysingingandthateverybodyoughttostandup，sohescrambledtohisfeetmightyquick，knowinghe’dgetacombingdownfromMariaMillisonforsleepinginmeeting。Fiskesawhim，stoppedandshouted，`Anothersoulsaved！GloryHallelujah！’Andtherewaspoor，frightenedIkey，onlyhalfawakeandyawning，neverthinkingabouthissoulatall。Poorchild，heneverhadtimetothinkofanythingbuthistired，overworkedlittlebody。
　　"LesliewentonenightandtheFiske-mangotrightafterher——oh，hewasespeciallyanxiousaboutthesoulsofthenice-lookinggirls，believeme！——andhehurtherfeelingssosheneverwentagain。Andthenheprayedeverynightafterthat，rightinpublic，thattheLordwouldsoftenherhardheart。FinallyIwenttoMr。Leavitt，ourministerthen，andtoldhimifhedidn’tmakeFiskestopthatI’djustriseupthenextnightandthrowmyhymnbookathimwhenhementionedthat`beautifulbutunrepentantyoungwoman。’I’dhavedoneittoo，believeME。Mr。Leavittdidputastoptoit，butFiskekeptonwithhismeetingsuntilCharleyDouglasputanendtohiscareerintheGlen。Mrs。
　　CharleyhadbeenoutinCaliforniaallwinter。She’dbeenrealmelancholyinthefall——religiousmelancholy——itraninherfamily。Herfatherworriedsomuchoverbelievingthathehadcommittedtheunpardonablesinthathediedintheasylum。SowhenRoseDouglasgotthatwayCharleypackedherofftovisithersisterinLosAngeles。ShegotperfectlywellandcamehomejustwhentheFiskerevivalwasinfullswing。ShesteppedoffthetrainattheGlen，realsmilingandchipper，andthefirstthingshesawstaringherinthefaceontheblack，gable-endofthefreightshed，wasthequestion，inbigwhiteletters，twofeethigh，`Whithergoestthou——toheavenorhell？’
　　ThathadbeenoneofFiske’sideas，andhehadgotHenryHammondtopaintit。Rosejustgaveashriekandfainted；andwhentheygotherhomeshewasworsethanever。CharleyDouglaswenttoMr。LeavittandtoldhimthateveryDouglaswouldleavethechurchifFiskewaskeptthereanylonger。Mr。Leavitthadtogivein，fortheDouglasespaidhalfhissalary，soFiskedeparted，andwehadtodependonourBiblesoncemoreforinstructionsonhowtogettoheaven。AfterhewasgoneMr。LeavittfoundouthewasjustamasqueradingMethodist，andhefeltprettysick，believeME。Mr。
　　Leavittfellshortinsomeways，buthewasagood，soundPresbyterian。"
　　"Bytheway，IhadaletterfromMr。Fordyesterday，"
　　saidAnne。"Heaskedmetorememberhimkindlytoyou。"
　　"Idon’twanthisremembrances，"saidMissCornelia，curtly。
　　"Why？"saidAnne，inastonishment。"Ithoughtyoulikedhim。"
　　"Well，soIdid，inakindofway。ButI’llneverforgivehimforwhathedonetoLeslie。There’sthatpoorchildeatingherheartoutabouthim——asifshehadn’thadtroubleenough——andhimrantingroundToronto，I’venodoubt，enjoyinghimselfsameasever。
　　Justlikeaman。"
　　"Oh，MissCornelia，howdidyoufindout？"
　　"Lord，Anne，dearie，I’vegoteyes，haven’tI？AndI’veknownLesliesinceshewasababy。There’sbeenanewkindofheartbreakinhereyesallthefall，andIknowthatwriter-manwasbehinditsomehow。I’llneverforgivemyselfforbeingthemeansofbringinghimhere。ButIneverexpectedhe’dbelikehewas。I
　　thoughthe’djustbeliketheothermenLesliehadboarded——conceitedyoungasses，everyoneofthem，thatsheneverhadanyusefor。Oneofthemdidtrytoflirtwithheronceandshefrozehimout——sobad，I
　　feelsurehe’snevergothimselfthawedsince。SoI
　　neverthoughtofanydanger。"
　　"Don’tletLesliesuspectyouknowhersecret，"saidAnnehurriedly。"Ithinkitwouldhurther。"
　　"Trustme，Anne，dearie。_I_wasn’tbornyesterday。
　　Oh，aplagueonallthemen！OneofthemruinedLeslie’slifetobeginwith，andnowanotherofthetribecomesandmakesherstillmorewretched。Anne，thisworldisanawfulplace，believeme。"
　　"There’ssomethingintheworldamissWillbeunriddledbyandby，"
　　quotedAnnedreamily。
　　"Ifitis，it’llbeinaworldwheretherearen’tanymen，"saidMissCorneliagloomily。
　　"Whathavethemenbeendoingnow？"askedGilbert，entering。
　　"Mischief——mischief！Whatelsedidtheyeverdo？"
　　"ItwasEveatetheapple，MissCornelia。"
　　"’Twasahe-creaturetemptedher，"retortedMissCorneliatriumphantly。
　　Leslie，afterherfirstanguishwasover，founditpossibletogoonwithlifeafterall，asmostofusdo，nomatterwhatourparticularformoftormenthasbeen。Itisevenpossiblethatsheenjoyedmomentsofit，whenshewasoneofthegaycircleinthelittlehouseofdreams。ButifAnneeverhopedthatshewasforgettingOwenFordshewouldhavebeenundeceivedbythefurtivehungerinLeslie’seyeswheneverhisnamewasmentioned。Pitifultothathunger，AnnealwayscontrivedtotellCaptainJimorGilbertbitsofnewsfromOwen’sletterswhenLesliewaswiththem。Thegirl’sflushandpalloratsuchmomentsspokealltooeloquentlyoftheemotionthatfilledherbeing。ButsheneverspokeofhimtoAnne，ormentionedthatnightonthesand-bar。
　　Onedayherolddogdiedandshegrievedbitterlyoverhim。
　　"He’sbeenmyfriendsolong，"shesaidsorrowfullytoAnne。"HewasDick’solddog，youknow——Dickhadhimforayearorsobeforeweweremarried。HelefthimwithmewhenhesailedontheFourSisters。Carlogotveryfondofme——andhisdog-lovehelpedmethroughthatfirstdreadfulyearaftermotherdied，whenIwasalone。WhenIheardthatDickwascomingbackIwasafraidCarlowouldn’tbesomuchmine。ButheneverseemedtocareforDick，thoughhehadbeensofondofhimonce。Hewouldsnapandgrowlathimasifhewereastranger。Iwasglad。Itwasnicetohaveonethingwhoselovewasallmine。Thatolddoghasbeensuchacomforttome，Anne。HegotsofeebleinthefallthatIwasafraidhecouldn’tlivelong——butIhopedIcouldnursehimthroughthewinter。Heseemedprettywellthismorning。Hewaslyingontherugbeforethefire；
　　then，allatonce，hegotupandcreptovertome；heputhisheadonmylapandgavemeonelovinglookoutofhisbig，soft，dogeyes——andthenhejustshiveredanddied。Ishallmisshimso。"
　　"Letmegiveyouanotherdog，Leslie，"saidAnne。
　　"I’mgettingalovelyGordonsetterforaChristmaspresentforGilbert。Letmegiveyouonetoo。"