He moved forward with sudden eagerness. “Don't you think now is a good time to say yes, Annie,--now, on your birthday? I own a quarter of the schooner now, you know; and I'm ready to make another payment to-morrow. And don't you see, when we're married you can help me to save, and before we know it we can have a home and a business of our own.” She was bending over the corals. “You didn't really think you could save more with--with me, than you could alone, did you, Dick?” “Yes, I'm sure of it. It will give me something to work for, don't you see?” “But--but--” very shyly, this--“Haven't you anything to work for now?” “Oh, Annie, do you mean that--are you telling me you 'll give me the right to work for you? That's all I want to know.” “Now, Dick--please let go my hand--you promised, you know--” “What is a promise now! If you knew how you torture me when you lead me on till I'm half wild and then change around till I don't know what I've said or what you've said or hardly who I am--” “No, Dick, you mustn't--I mean it. We must go in. See, there's father on the beach. It must be supper-time.” “Wait a minute--I haven't half told you--” But she was merciless. The _Captain_ came about and headed shoreward. “Did you meet the revenue cutter anywhere up the Lake--the _Foote?_ She was here yesterday.” “There you are again, all changed around! What do I care about the _Foote_--when I'm just waiting to hear you say the only word that can make my life worth living. Now, Annie--” “You mustn't, Dick. I've let you say too much now. If you go on, you 'll make me feel that I can't even thank you for your present.” “Was that all? Were you only thanking me?” She nodded, and Dick's face fell into gloom. But when the _Captain_ was beached, and Annie had leaped lightly over the rail, she turned and gave him one merry blushing look that completely reversed the effect of her reproof. And as she hurried up to the house, he could only gaze after her helplessly. CHAPTER II--THE NEW MATE [Illustration: 0046] IN the morning the _William Schmidt_, Henry Smiley, Master, came in from Chicago and tied up across the pier from the _Merry Anne_. Henry, Dick's cousin, was a short, stocky, man, said to be somewhat of a driver with his sailors. He seldom had much to say, never drank, was shrewd at a bargain, and was supposed to have a considerable sum stowed away in the local savings bank. Though he was wanting in the qualities that made his younger cousin popular, he was daring enough in his quiet way, and he had been known, when he thought the occasion justified it, to run long chances with his snub-nosed schooner. After breakfast Dick walked across the broad pier between the piles of lumber, and found Henry in his cabin. They greeted each other cordially. “Sit down,” said Henry. “Did you come down through that nor'wester?” Dick nodded. “Have any trouble?” “Oh, no. Lost some sleep--that's all. You aren't going down to the yards to-day, are you?”