seemed to bear the greater part. Indeed, to what Kinney was saying
the young man paid not the slightest attention. Instead, his eyes
were fastened on the gangplank below, and when a young man of his
own age, accompanied by a girl in a dress of rough tweed, appeared
upon it, he leaped from his seat. Then with a conscious look at
Kinney, sank back.

The girl in the tweed suit was sufficiently beautiful to cause any
man to rise and to remain standing. She was the most beautiful
girl I had ever seen. She had gray eyes and hair like golden-rod,
worn in a fashion with which I was not familiar, and her face was
so lovely that in my surprise at the sight of it, I felt a sudden
catch at my throat, and my heart stopped with awe, and wonder, and
gratitude.

After a brief moment the young man in the real Harvard hat-band
rose restlessly and, with a nod to Kinney, went below. I also rose
and followed him. I had an uncontrollable desire to again look at
the girl with the golden-rod hair. I did not mean that she should
see me. Never before had I done such a thing. But never before
had I seen any one who had moved me so strangely. Seeking her, I
walked the length of the main saloon and back again, but could not
find her. The delay gave me time to see that my conduct was
impertinent. The very fact that she was so lovely to look upon
should have been her protection. It afforded me no excuse to
follow and spy upon her. With this thought, I hastily returned to
the upper deck to bury myself in my book. If it did not serve to
keep my mind from the young lady, at least I would prevent my eyes
from causing her annoyance.