Why , you 're in the very core of my heart , girl . Do n't tell me you ca n't love me -- you can -- you must -- why , Janet , '' for his eyes had caught and locked with hers for a minute , `` you do ! '' There were five minutes about which nobody can tell anything , for even Randall and Janet never knew clearly just what happened in those five minutes . Then Janet , feeling somehow as if she had died and then come back to life , found her tongue . `` Three years ago you came courting Avery , '' she said reproachfully . `` Three years ago you were a child . I did not think about you . I wanted a wife -- and Avery was pretty . I thought I was in love with her . Then you grew up all at once -- and we were such good friends -- I never could talk to Avery -- she was n't interested in anything I said -- and you have eyes that catch a man -- I 've always thought of your eyes . But I was honour-bound to Avery -- I did n't dream you cared . You must marry me next Wednesday , Janet -- we 'll have a double wedding . You wo n't mind -- being married -- so soon ? '' `` Oh , no -- I wo n't -- mind , '' said Janet dazedly . `` Only -- oh , Randall -- I must tell you -- I did n't mean to tell you -- I 'd have rather died -- but now -- I must tell you about it now -- because I ca n't bear anything hidden between us . I went to old Granny Thomas -- and got a love ointment from her -- to make Avery love you , because I knew she did n't -- and I wanted you to be happy -- Randall , do n't -- I ca n't talk when you do that ! Do you think Granny 's ointment could have made her care for Bruce ? '' Randall laughed -- the little , low laugh of the triumphant lover . `` If it did , I 'm glad of it . CHAPTER I. HOME AGAIN It was a clear , apple-green evening in May , and Four Winds Harbour was mirroring back the clouds of the golden west between its softly dark shores .
The sea moaned eerily on the sand-bar , sorrowful even in spring , but a sly , jovial wind came piping down the red harbour road along which Miss Cornelia 's comfortable , matronly figure was making its way towards the village XXXXX Glen St. Mary .
If about ago at because for from in of to