een singled out for such misery? What
gleam of hope or comfort was left to his miserable life since he had
heard the words of Stephen; those dreadful words which had shattered in
an instant all the cherished hopes of his life. Too well he remembered
the tone and look of scorn with which the horrible truths had been
conveyed to him. In his inmost soul he accepted them as truths;
Stephen's soul had framed them and Stephen's lips had sent them forth.

From his position behind the screen he did not see the approaching figure
of Mr. Stonehouse, and was astonished when he saw his head rise above the
edge of the tank as he climbed the straight Jacob's ladder behind the
wheelhouse. The elder man paused as he saw him and said in an apologetic
way:

'Will you forgive my intruding on your privacy? I wanted to speak to you
alone; and as I saw you come here a while ago I thought it would be a
good opportunity.' Harold was rising as he spoke.

'By all means. This place is common property. But all the same I am
honoured in your seeking me.' The poor fellow wished to be genial; but
despite his efforts there was a strange formality in the expression of
his words. The elder man understood, and said as he hurried forward and
sank beside him:

'Pray don't stir! Why, what a cosy corner this is. I don't believe at
this moment there is such peace in the ship!'

Once again the bitterness of Harold's heart broke out in sudden words:

'I hope not! There is no soul on board to whom I could wish such evil!'
The old man said as he laid his hand softly on the other's shoulder:

'God help you, my poor boy, if such pain is in your heart!' Mr.
Stonehouse looked out at the sea, at last turning his face to him again
he spoke:

'If you feel that I intrude on you I earnestly ask you to forgive me; but
I think that the years between your age and mine as well as my feeling
towards the great obligation which I owe you will plead for excuse. There
is something I would like to say to you, sir; but I suppose I must not
without your permission. May I have it?'

'If you wish, sir. I can at least hear it.'

The old man bowed and went on:

'I could not but notice that you have some great grief bearing upon you;
and from one thing or another--I can tell you the data if you wish me to
do so--I have come to the conclusion that you are leaving your native
land because of it.' Here Harold, wakened to amazement by the readiness
with which hi