ll come to her, and you don't look fit to carry
yourself. Sit you there, my wee fairy, till we come back again. Here,
Ruthven," he called to a young man who was walking up and down on the
other side of the deck, "come and try your hand at baby tending. That
may be among the work required of you in the backwoods of Canada, who
knows?"

The young man came forward laughing, and Graeme submitted to be led
away. The little lady left on the deck seemed very much inclined to
resent the unceremonious disposal of so important a person, as she was
always made to feel herself to be. But she took a look into the face of
her new friend and thought better of it. His face was a good one, frank
and kindly, and Rose suffered herself to be lifted up and placed upon
his knee, and when Graeme came back again, after a brisk walk of fifteen
minutes, she found the little one, usually so fretful and "ill to do
with," laughing merrily in the stranger's arms. She would have taken
her, but Rose was pleased to stay.

"You are the very first stranger that ever she was willing to go to,"
said she, gratefully. Looking up, she did not wonder at Rosie's fancy
for the face that smiled down upon her.

"I ought to feel myself highly honoured," said he.

"I think we'll give him the benefit of little Missy's preference," said
Captain Armstrong, who had been watching Graeme with a little amused
anxiety since her walk was ended. The colour that the exercise had
given her was fast fading from her face, till her very lips grew white
with the deadly sickness that was coming over her.

"You had best go to the cabin a wee while. You must give up, I think,"
said he.

Graeme rose languidly.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. Come Rosie."

"Leave the little one with me," said Mr Ruthven. And that was the last
Graeme saw of Rosie for the next twelve hours, for she was not to escape
the misery that had fallen so heavily upon the rest, and very wearily
the day passed. It passed, however, at last, and the next, which was
calm and bright as heart could wish, saw them all on deck again. They
came with dizzy heads and uncertain steps it is true, but the sea air
soon brought colour to their cheeks, and strength to their limbs, and
their sea life fairly began.

But alas! for Janet. The third day, and the tenth found her still in
her berth, altogether unable to stand up against the power that held
her. In vain she struggled against it. The "Steadfast's" slightes