his first impression.

But now the humorous element was quite in abeyance, and a faint dismay had
taken its place. One arm supporting the drooping girl, he was looking up
and down the wharf. Not a vehicle remained save the heavy drays already
backing up to receive their loads of freight. The dock hands had dropped
and were coiling the line that had separated the crowd from the landing
stage.

With another exclamation the woman in the carriage rose, and before
Sherwood could make a move to assist her, had poised on the rim of the
wheel and leaped lightly to the dock. Like a thistledown she floated to the
little group at the foot of the gangplank. The steward instantly gave way
to her evident intention. She passed her arm around the girl's waist. The
three moved slowly toward the buggy, Mrs. Sherwood, her head bent
charmingly forward, murmuring compassionate, broken, little phrases,
supporting the newcomer's reviving footsteps.

Sherwood, a faint, fond amusement lurking in the depths of his eyes,
quietly cramped the wheels of the buggy.




IV


A half hour later the two men, having deposited the women safely in the
Sherwoods' rooms at the Bella Union, and having been unceremoniously
dismissed by Mrs. Sherwood, strolled together to the veranda. They had not,