is?"

"Miss Rose Flowers, my dear sir, is now Mrs. Slydell Stillwater, the--"

"Married!" interrupted all voices except that of the Iron King, who bent
his heavy gray brows as he gazed upon his son.

"Stuff and nonsense! How did you know anything about her marriage?"
demanded old Aaron Rockharrt.

"In the simplest and most natural way, sir. I saw it in the newspapers,
about three years ago. And, in point of fact, I forgot it and should
never have thought of it again but for your inquiries about the young
woman this morning. Her husband is Captain Slydell Stillwater, captain
and half owner of the East Indiaman Queen of Sheba," replied Mr. Fabian.

"Poor child! To be parted from her husband more than half her time. Is
Captain Stillwater now at sea?"

"I think he must be, sir, as there has hardly been time for his return
since he sailed soon after his marriage."

"Do you know where Mrs. Stillwater lives?"

"I do not, sir; but I might find out by inquiring of some mutual
acquaintance."

"Do so. And, Mrs. Rockharrt," the King added, turning to his little old
wife, "you will write a note to Mrs. Stillwater, inviting her to join
our party for a summer tour, and as our guest, remember. Fabian, you
will see that the note reaches the lady in time."

"I will do my best, sir," said Mr. Fabian.

"Very well," said the wife.

The note of invitation to Mrs. Stillwater was written. Mr. Fabian used
such dispatch in his search for the lady that his efforts were soon
rewarded with success. A letter came from Mrs. Stillwater, postmarked
Baltimore, in which she cordially thanked Mrs. Rockharrt for her
invitation, gratefully accepted it, and offered to join the Rockharrt
party at any point most convenient to the latter. This answer was
communicated to the family autocrat, who thereupon issued his commands:

"Write and say to Mrs. Stillwater that we will stop at Baltimore on our
way, and call for her at her hotel on Friday; but say that if she should
not be ready, we will wait her convenience."

This letter was also written and sent off.

Three days later the whole family left the capital for Baltimore, which
they reached at night. They went directly to the hotel where Mrs.
Stillwater was staying, and engaged rooms for their whole party.

They scarcely took time enough to wash the travel dust from their faces
and brush it from their hair, and change their traveling suits for
fresher dresses, before they hurried down stairs t