illy Williams?" she asked.

"Billy," said John, "is the very mild-mannered and gentlemanlike
'bouncer' at the Altman House, an ex-prize-fighter, and about the most
accomplished member of his profession of his day and weight, who is
employed to keep order and, if necessary, to thrust out the riotous who
would disturb the contemplations of the lovers of art that frequent the
bar of that hotel." It was to be seen that Miss Blake was not
particularly impressed by this description of Billy and his functions,
upon which she made no comment.

"You have not included in your list," she remarked, "what you acquired
in the down-town office you told me of."

"No, upon my word I had forgotten that, and it's about the only thing of
use in the whole category," he answered. "If I were put to it, and could
find a place, I think I might earn fifty dollars a month as a clerk or
messenger, or something. Hullo! here are your people."

He went forward with his companion and greeted Mrs. Carling and her
husband, who returned his "Good morning" with a feeble smile, and
submitted to his ministrations in the matter of chair and rugs with an
air of unresisting invalidism, which was almost too obvious, he thought.
But after luncheon John managed to induce him to walk for a while, to
smoke a cigarette, and finally to brave the perils of a sherry and
bitters before dinner. The ladies had the afternoon to themselves. John
had no chance of a further visit with Mary during the day, a loss only
partially made good to him by a very approving smile and a remark which
she made to him at dinner, that he must be a lineal descendant of the
Samaritan. Mr. Carling submitted himself to him for the evening. Indeed,
it came about that for the rest of the voyage he had rather more of the
company of that gentleman, who fairly attached himself to him, than,
under all the circumstances, he cared for; but the gratitude of the
ladies was so cordial that he felt paid for some sacrifices of his
inclinations. And there was an hour or so every morning--for the fine
weather lasted through--which he spent with Mary Blake, with increasing
interest and pleasure, and he found himself inwardly rejoicing over a
mishap to the engine which, though of no very great magnitude, would
retard the passage by a couple of days.

There can hardly be any conditions more favorable to the forming of
acquaintanceships, friendships, and even more tender relations than are
afforded by the lif