Part 21 (1/2)
CHAPTER XIV
SETTLING DOWN
When Cora, leading by the hand dripping d.i.c.k Haley, met his father, the keeper of the light, she exclaimed impulsively:
”I'm sure I've seen you somewhere before!”
It was rather a strange greeting under the circ.u.mstances, considering that Cora had just helped little d.i.c.k from the water. But the lighthouse keeper did not seem to mind it.
”I'm sure I can't remember it, miss,” he made answer, ”and I'm counted on as having a pretty good memory. However, the loss is all mine, I do a.s.sure you. Now what mischief has my fat boy been getting into?”
”It was not his fault, I'm sure,” spoke Eline.
”Indeed not,” echoed Cora. ”Your daughter's boat upset and we went out to help her. There she is!”
Cora pointed to a dripping figure, in a red bathing suit climbing up on a little pier that led to the beacon. Following the disclosure made to Cora, as Rosalie swam beside the boat, they had reached the sh.o.r.e. Mr.
Haley had been off getting some supplies for the lighthouse and so had not witnessed the accident. The first intimation he had of it was when he saw his dripping son being led up by Cora and Eline.
”Upset; eh?” voiced the keeper of the light. ”Well, it has happened before, and it'll happen again. I'm glad it was no worse, and I'm very much obliged to you, miss. But I don't ever remember seeing you before--either of you,” and he glanced at Eline.
”Oh, I'm sure you never saw _me_!” she laughed ”I'm from Chicago.”
”Chicago!” he cried, quickly. ”Why, I'm from there originally. I used to be a pilot on the lakes. But that's years ago. Me and my sister came from there. But Margaret--well, what's the use of talking of it?” and the worried frown on his face deepened, as he went down to meet his daughter, telling d.i.c.k to go up in the living quarters of the light to get on dry clothes.
Cora was sure she had seen the light keeper before, but, puzzle her brain over the matter as she might, she could not recall where it was. And the name Margaret seemed to be impressed on her memory, too. It was quite annoying not to be able to recall matters when you wanted to, she thought.
”But I'll just think no more about it,” mused Cora. ”Perhaps it will come to me when I least expect it.”
The lighthouse maid and her father met, and in a few words she told of the accident. He sent a man to tow in the overturned boat.
”But you are wet, too!” he exclaimed to Cora, as he noted her damp skirts and soaked shoes.
”Oh, that's nothing!” said she. ”I pushed off the boat. I don't know whose it is, by the way.”
”It belongs to Hank Belton,” said the keeper. ”He won't mind you using it. Do you live around here?”
Cora told how they were coming to the bungalows for the summer.
”Ah, then I'll see you again, miss,” spoke Mr. Haley. ”I can't properly thank you now--I'm that fl.u.s.tered. This has upset me a little, though usually I don't worry about the children and the water, for they look after themselves. But I'm fair bothered about other matters.”
”I told her, Daddy,” broke in Rosalie. ”About Aunt Margaret, you know.”
”Did you? Well, I dare say it was all right. I can't see why she did it?
I can't see! Going off that way, without notice, and those people to make such unkind insinuations. I can't understand it!”
He walked up and down in front of the little dock. Rosalie looked as though she would enjoy another plunge in the bay. Cora glanced over to where her friends awaited her in a group on the beach. Eline was looking at dripping d.i.c.k going up to get on dry garments.
”But there!” exclaimed Mr. Haley, ”I mustn't bother you with my troubles.
I dare say you have enough of your own. But do come over and see us; won't you?”