uched his hat to her as he passed,
lugging the boy, whom he had just rescued from a little expedition down
among the piles.

"Which is that?" asked the stranger.

"Prince Charlie, as he's called a fine fellow, the most promising of the
seven, but a little fast, people say," answered the first speaker with a
shake of the head.

"Are the others his brothers?"

"No, cousins. The elder is Archie, a most exemplary young man. He has
just gone into business with the merchant uncle and bids fair to be an
honor to his family. The other, with the eyeglasses and no gloves, is
Mac, the odd one, just out of college."

"And the boy?"

"Oh, he is Jamie, the youngest brother of Archibald, and the pet of the
whole family. Mercy on us he'll be in if they don't hold on to him!"

The ladies' chat came to a sudden end just there, for by the time
Jamie had been fished out of a hogshead, the steamer hove in sight and
everything else was forgotten. As it swung slowly around to enter the
dock, a boyish voice shouted, "There she is! I see her and Uncle and
Phebe! Hooray for Cousin Rose!" And three small cheers were given with
a will by Jamie as he stood on a post waving his arms like a windmill
while his brother held onto the tail of his jacket.

Yes, there they were Uncle Alec swinging his hat like a boy, with Phebe
smiling and nodding on one side and Rose kissing both hands delightedly
on the other as she recognized familiar faces and heard familiar voices
welcoming her home.

"Bless her dear heart, she's bonnier than ever! Looks like a Madonna
doesn't she? with that blue cloak round her, and her bright hair flying
in the wind!" said Charlie excitedly as they watched the group upon the
deck with eager eyes.

"Madonnas don't wear hats like that. Rose hasn't changed much, but Phebe
has. Why, she's a regular beauty!" answered Archie, staring with all his
might at the dark-eyed young woman with the brilliant color and glossy
black braids shining in the sun.

"Dear old Uncle! Doesn't it seem good to have him back?" was all Mac
said, but he was not looking at "dear old uncle" as he made the fervent
remark, for he saw only the slender blond girl nearby and stretched out
his hands to meet hers, forgetful of the green water tumbling between
them.

During the confusion that reigned for a moment as the steamer settled to
her moorings, Rose looked down into the four faces upturned to hers and
seemed to read in them something that both plea