es and ears. "All's
well" lulls to sleep the after-dinner loungers in chairs along the deck,
while brave men and fair women keep step to entrancing music.

With a week of favorable weather, and unprecedented speed the record out
was won; officers, sailors, passengers, all were jubilant. On Pier 14,
North River, Fredrika and her husband met Christine, and drove to their
fine home overlooking the Central Park.

* * * * *

Alfonso Harris had come on to New York to spend a week of pleasure;
already he had secured his ticket for Amsterdam via Antwerp by the Red
Star Line. He was prepared to keep his promise to Christine. "To match
gold with gold!"

In his rounds among the artists he happened to step into the Art
Student's League, and there learned that his old artist-chum, Leo, was
in New York, and stopping at the Plaza Hotel. At once he took cab, and,
surely enough, there on the hotel register was the name Leo Colonna,
Rome. Alfonso sent up his card, and the waiter soon returned with the
reply, "The marquis will see Mr. Harris at once in his rooms." It is
needless to say that the marquis was both shocked and delighted to see
alive a friend whom he supposed long ago dead.

After dinner Alfonso and Leo drove to their old club, and as ever talked
and confided in each other. Alfonso told the marquis the romantic story
of his life, of his pecuniary success, and that he should sail in a few
days to wed Christine, if possible.

The marquis hesitated in his reply, as if in doubt whether to proceed or
not. Observing this, Alfonso said, "Speak freely, tell me what you were
thinking about."

"Nothing, Alfonso, only a report I heard at the club last night."

"What report, marquis?"

"A report or story concerning a beautiful widow, who had just arrived
from Amsterdam. From the minute description given--she had fair face,
blue eyes, fleecy hair and loved art--I suspected that the woman in black
might be Christine De Ruyter."

"You surprise me, Leo, but what was the report?"

"Alfonso, pardon me, I have said too much already."

"No, go on and tell me all."

"Alfonso, since the report is concerning a woman's character, my lips
should be sealed, and would be, except you my friend are the most
interested party. The club story is that a handsome young officer, who
left his newly wedded wife in Bristol, England, was so much enamored of
the charming widow aboard ship that suspicions were aroused, a