further dissipation in that line, and walked out on deck. The promise
of the morning had been more than fulfilled in the day, and the warm
sunlight and mild air had brought on deck many who had not been visible
up to that time. There was a long row of muffled up figures on steamer
chairs, and the deck steward was kept busy hurrying here and there
attending to the wants of the passengers. Nearly every one had a book,
but many of the books were turned face downwards on the steamer rugs,
while the owners either talked to those next them, or gazed idly out at
the blue ocean. In the long and narrow open space between the chairs and
the bulwarks of the ship, the energetic pedestrians were walking up and
down.

At this stage of the voyage most of the passengers had found congenial
companions, and nearly everybody was acquainted with everybody else.
Morris walked along in front of the reclining passengers, scanning
each one eagerly to find the person he wanted, but she was not there.
Remembering then that the chairs had been on the other side of the
ship, he continued his walk around the wheel-house, and there he saw
Miss Earle, and sitting beside her was the blonde young lady talking
vivaciously, while Miss Earle listened.

Morris hesitated for a moment, but before he could turn back the young
lady sprang to her feet, and said--"Oh, Mr. Morris, am I sitting in
your chair?"

"What makes you think it is my chair?" asked that gentleman, not in the
most genial tone of voice.

"I thought so," replied the young lady, with a laugh, "because it was
near Miss Earle."