, my dears," he added, "put
on your hats; it is time to go back to the _Dolphin_."

They hastened to obey, and he led them to the parlor, where they found
the rest of the party ready to accompany them on board the yacht.

The sun was setting as they reached the _Dolphin's_ deck and they found
a luxurious repast ready for them to partake of by the time outdoor
garments could be laid aside and wind-tossed hair restored to order.

The captain missed the bright face of his first-born at the table, but,
exerting himself for the entertainment of the others, seemed even more
than usually cheery and genial, now and then indulging in some innocent
jest that made his little girls laugh in spite of themselves, and at
length almost forget, for the moment, their parting from Max, and their
grief over the thought that he would no longer share their lessons or
their sports, and would be at home only after what, in the prospect,
seemed to them a long, long time; and then but for a little while.

On leaving the table all gathered upon deck. There was no wind, but the
yacht had a steam engine and used her sails only on occasions when they
could be of service. Stars shone brightly in the sky overhead, but their
light was not sufficient to give an extended view on land or water, and
as all were weary with the excitement and sightseeing of the day, they
retired early to their berths.

Poor Grace, worn out with her unusual excitement, and especially the
grief of the parting with Max, was asleep the instant her head touched
the pillow. Not so with Lulu; her loneliness and depression banished
sleep from her eyes for the time, and presently she slipped from her
berth, threw on a warm dressing-gown, and thrust her feet into felt
slippers. The next moment she stole noiselessly into the saloon where
her father sat alone looking over an evening paper.

He was not aware of her entrance till she stood close at his side, her
hand on his shoulder, her eyes fixed, with a gaze of ardent affection,
upon his face.

"Dear child!" he said, looking up from his paper, and smiling
affectionately upon her; then tossing the paper aside and putting an arm
about her waist, he drew her to his knee and pressed fatherly kisses
upon lip and cheek and brow, asking tenderly if anything was wrong with
her that she had come in search of him when he supposed her to be
already in bed and sound asleep.

"I'm not sick, papa," she said in reply; "but oh, I miss Maxie so