unger! Ah, if your mother could but see this! But she is
smiling in heaven over it, and so is our darling Inez, who joined her
long ago. God be thanked! my boy is dead but is alive again!"

And, laughing and crying, they shook hands, and talked and talked.

"Tell me everything that has befallen you, my dear son."

And Fred did so, as we have already told the reader, adding that he
never so far forgot himself as to dishonor his father by bearing his
name. He was known everywhere as Frederic Sanders, whereas his full
name was Frederic Sanders Strathmore--which he was now proud to
assume, and which, with God's help, he meant to honor.

They sat a long time in loving converse, and, finally, Captain
Strathmore told the story of Inez Hawthorne, who came to and went from
him in such an extraordinary manner, and for whom he sighed and longed
as he had for his own child, taken from him years before.

Fred smiled in an odd way, while this story was being told, and then
asked his father to walk down to the Occidental Hotel with him.

"I have some very particular business," he added, "and will take it as
a great favor if you will so so."

"Of course I will," responded the cheery old captain, springing to his
feet. "I will walk if I can, but I feel more like flying; and if
there's any more good news, I'll set up a dancing and yelling
carnival."

"Well, there is good news awaiting you, so you had better get ready to
put on the brakes."

"What do you mean, Fred?"

"Wait, and you will see."

A few minutes later there was a gentle tap on the door of Inez
Hawthorne's room at the Occidental. She was busy sewing, and she
called out in a somewhat startled voice:

"Come in!"

Fred Strathmore threw the door wide open, and, taking hold of his
father's arm, gave him such a vigorous shove that he was forced
several steps into the apartment before he could stop himself.

He caught sight of a beautiful, scared face, which stared with
something like terror at him for a moment; and then there was a
scream, and she made one bound forward.

"Oh, father, father! my own dear father! I am so glad!"

Again the arms were about the neck of the weather-beaten sea-dog;
again the kisses were showered upon his bronzed face; again his own
lost Inez was in his arms.

Poor Captain Strathmore broke down completely. Instead of shouting and
dancing, as he threatened to do, he sat in his chair, and, with Inez
on his knee, overrunning with joy, de