think of his mother's joy at seeing her. They had a jolly supper on the
big, comfortable steamer that travels between Portsmouth and Fortress
Monroe, arriving at Old Point a little after dusk.

The streets were almost deserted. It was cool enough for fires, and
there was little lingering outdoors. Madge sat down on a bench in a
small park, while Tom went to the nearest drug-store to telephone to
his mother. He thought it wise to break the news of the discovery of
the houseboat party by degrees. Also he wished to know if his mother
had yet heard from Miss Jenny Ann and knew where she was.

Madge felt a grateful sense of happiness steal over her as she waited
for Tom's return. It was, indeed, pleasant to be with her old friends
who cared so much for her. To-day Fortress Monroe did not frown down
upon the little home-comer from its stern battlements. The old fort
seemed to offer her protection against her enemies.

A few soldiers on leave of absence from their barracks passed her in
groups of twos and threes. But no one else appeared for several
minutes. Tom was taking some time with his telephoning.

Finally an old man and a young girl came down the street in Madge's
direction. The old man leaned heavily on the girl's arm. In the half
light she could see that they were talking very earnestly and not
looking about them. When they were close to her Madge Morton discovered
them to be Flora Harris and her grandfather, Admiral Gifford.

Madge turned away her head. She hoped that she would not be observed. A
few minutes before she had been so happy and so content. Why should the
first person she saw at Old Point Comfort be the only person in the
world who would take some of the pleasure away from her home-coming?

If only they would pass without seeing her! It was almost dark, and she
was not even supposed to be in the land of the living, so she sat
absolutely still, hardly daring to breathe.

Neither the old admiral, whose eyes were dimmed with age, nor his
grand-daughter, saw the little figure on the bench as they walked
toward it. They passed close by her. Some unseen force must have made
Flora Harris turn her head as she came directly opposite Madge.

Flora gave one terrified scream, then began shaking as though with a
chill.

"What is it, Flora?" her grandfather demanded. "Are you ill?"

Flora pointed a trembling finger at the other girl.

The old gentleman turned in confusion to glance at Madge. He saw only a