reverting
to chilly politeness.

"I wish you would promise me you won't leave here or do anything until
I have seen you again,'' said Fraser, who was anxious to consult his
captain on this new phase of affairs.

"Certainly not," said Miss Tyrell, rising and standing by her chair,
"and thank you for calling."

Fraser rubbed his chin helplessly.

"Thank you for calling," repeated the girl, still standing.

"That is telling me to go, I suppose?" said, Fraser, looking at her
frankly. "I wish I knew how to talk to you. When I think of you being
here all alone, without friends and without employment, it seems wrong
for me to go and leave you here."

Miss Tyrell gave a faint gasp and glanced anxiously at the door. Fraser
hesitated a moment, and then rose to his feet.

"If I hear anything more, may I come and tell you?" he asked.

"Yes," said Poppy, "or write; perhaps it would be better to write; I
might not be at home. Goodbye."

The mate shook hands, and, blundering down the stairs, shouted
good-night to a segment of the Wheeler family visible through the
half-open door, and passed out into the street. He walked for some time
rapidly, gradually slowing down as he collected his thoughts.

"Flower's a fool," he said, bitterly; "and, as for me, I don't know what
I am. It's so long since I told the truth I forget what it's like, and
I'd sooner tell lies in a church than tell them to her."

CHAPTER X.

He looked expectantly on the cabin table for a letter upon his return to
the ship, but was disappointed, and the only letter yielded by the post
next morning came from Captain Barber. It was couched in terms of great
resignation, and after bemoaning the unfortunate skipper's untimely
demise in language of great strength, wound up with a little Scripture
and asked the mate to act as master and sail the schooner home.

"You'll act as mate, Ben, to take her back," said the new skipper,
thrusting the letter in his pocket.

"Aye, aye, sir," said Ben, with a side glance at Joe, "but I'll keep
for'ard, if you don't mind."

"As you please," said Fraser, staring.

"And you're master, I s'pose?" said Joe, turning to Fraser.

Fraser, whose manner had already effected the little change rendered
necessary by his promotion from mate to master, nodded curtly, and the
crew, after another exchange of looks, resumed their work without a
word. Their behaviour all day was docile, not to say lamb-like, and it
was not until ev