"Probably. I should not be surprised to see him at any time," the
captain said in reply. "I have sent in for the early mail, and--why
here comes the boat now; and see who are in it!"

"Walter and Evelyn! Oh, how glad I am! I don't know how often I have
wished she was with us."

"I knew you did, and that you like pleasant surprises, so decided to
let this be one."

The boat was already alongside of the yacht, and the next moment its
passengers were on deck, the two girls hugging and kissing each other
and laughing with delight.

"Now, isn't it my turn, Eva?" queried the captain as they released
each other. "Surely I may claim the privilege, since a year or two
ago you and I agreed to be brother and sister to each other."

"Yes, sir," laughed Evelyn, making no effort to escape the offered
caress.

"And, Lu, as I'm your father's brother I suppose you and I may
exchange the same sort of greeting," laughed Walter, giving it as he
spoke.

"Well, you have helped yourself; but I do not see any exchange about
it," laughed Lucilla; "but, considering your youth, I excuse you for
this once."

"As I do also," said the captain. "It isn't every young man I should
allow to kiss my daughter; but youth and relationship may claim
privileges. Lu, show Eva to her stateroom and see that she has
whatever she wants. Walter, the one you occupied last is vacant, and
you are welcome to take possession of it again."

"Thank you; I shall be glad to do so," returned Walter, following the
girls down the companion-way.

"Quite a mail, I think, this morning, sir," remarked a sailor, handing
the captain the mail bag.

Captain Raymond looked over the contents, and found, besides his own,
one or more letters for each of his passengers. It was nearing the
breakfast hour, and he distributed the letters after all had taken
their places at the table.

They were a bright and cheerful party, everyone rejoicing in the
arrival of Eva and Walter, the latter of whom had been spending some
weeks among the Adirondacks with college-mates, then had joined Evelyn
shortly before the last of the family left Crag Cottage, and
undertaken to see her safely to the _Dolphin_ on Lake Erie.

"As I expected, I am summoned home," said Percy Landreth, looking up
from a letter he was reading; "and I am bidden to bring you all with
me, if I can by any means persuade you to take the trip. I wish you
would all accept the invitation. I can assure you that everything