hould act reasonably, and
on the side of conservatism, or wives and little ones suffer."

Mrs. Harris listened to her son's comments on capital and labor, but the
independence of her race asserted itself and she said with emphasis,
"Alfonso, I hope Mr. Harris will insist on his rights at Harrisville."

"Very likely he will, mother, as he is that kind of a man, and the New
England independence that is born in him is sure to assert itself."

For a few moments neither mother nor son spoke. Suddenly both were
awakened from their reveries by the call for dinner. The waters were
still smooth, and the ocean breezes had sharpened appetites, so the grand
staircase was crowded with a happy throng, most of whom were eager for
their first dinner aboard ship. The Harrises were delighted to find
Captain Morgan already at the table.

Long ago Captain Morgan had learned that wealth is power. His own ship
had cost a million or more, and England's millions enabled his government
to control the globe. Not only was he keenly alive to the fact that
capital and brains guided most human events, but naturally he possessed
the instincts of a gentleman, and besides he was a true Briton. His
ancestors for generations had followed the sea for a livelihood and fame.
Some had served conspicuously in the navy, and others like himself had
spent long lives in the commercial marine.

In Lucille's eyes Captain Morgan was an ideal hero of the sea. He was
over six feet in height, and robust of form, weighing not less than 250
pounds. His face was round and bronzed by the exposure of over three
hundred ocean passages. His closely cropped beard and hair were iron
gray, and his mild blue eyes and shapely hands told of inbred qualities.
That he was possessed of rare traits of character, it was easy to
discover. Loyalty to the great trusts confided to him, was noticeable in
his every movement. "Safety of ship, passengers, and cargo," were words
often repeated, whether the skies above him were blue or black.

Captain Morgan addressing Mrs. Harris said, "We shall miss very much your
husband's presence aboard ship. Nowadays managers of great enterprises
ashore, involving the use of large amounts of capital, encounter quite as
many stormy seas as we of the Atlantic."

"Yes," replied Mrs. Harris, "and the causes of financial disturbances are
fully as difficult to divine or control."

"It was fortunate, however, Mrs. Harris," said the captain, "that
word reac