said; "one of these days; probably while we are in Ohio."

"Are we going right on now to the islands in Lake Erie, papa?" asked
Grace.

"Unless some one or more of us should desire to stop by the way,"
returned the captain pleasantly.

"Perhaps it would be more restful to pass a night at Pittsburg or
Cincinnati," suggested Grandma Elsie; and that was what was decided
upon, after a little discussion of the question.

They rested in Cleveland for another night; then, on a bright morning,
passed over to the islands in a steamer. A pleasant surprise awaited
them on landing; their cousin Ronald Lilburn was there with his wife
Annis and her grandnephew, Percy Landreth. The last-named was one whom
Captain Raymond would have preferred not to have in the company,--but
merely on Lucilla's account,--and he greeted him with cordial
kindness.

"We have given you a surprise, haven't we?" asked Mrs. Lilburn of her
cousin Elsie.

"Yes; a most pleasant one," replied Mrs. Travilla. "I can truly say I
think your presence here will double our enjoyment. How long since you
arrived?"

"Only about twenty-four hours. We came straight from home, where we
left all your dear ones well."

"Ah, that is good news! It is a new thing for me to be so far away
from my dear father; and he is growing old; so I have been feeling a
little anxious about him."

"He evidently misses you, but is glad that you are enjoying yourself,"
said Annis.

"Yes! so unselfish as he is--my dear father! Ah, how lovely it is
here!" glancing about as she spoke. "No doubt we can pass some days or
weeks here very delightfully."

"I am quite sure of it, mother," said the captain, who had overheard
the remark, made as they all were on their way from the landing to the
hotel. "We will have the yacht here in a day or two, I think; and it
will afford us some pleasant trips here and there on the lake."

"And carry us to some historical scenes, won't it, papa?" asked Grace
in a tone of satisfaction.

"Yes," he replied; "and we will live on it, unless the majority of our
company should prefer the hotel."

"No danger of that, I think," said Grandma Elsie; "we all feel so much
at home and find ourselves so comfortable on the yacht."

"I don't wonder that you prefer it," said Annis; "but I was hoping you
would all be at the hotel with us."

"Are you not willing to be on the _Dolphin_ with us?" asked the
captain, giving her a cordial look and smile.

"Indeed, sir, I