lf-condemned expression.

"Forgive me, Rose," he said, in the deep, hollow voice which had become
natural to him since his illness began; "my love for you proved too
strong to be restrained just now: but believe me, I had fully made up my
mind never to open my lips to you on the subject; for what right have I,
a helpless, and, I fear, hopeless, invalid, to dare to aspire--"

There must have been something peculiar in the very slight, almost
pathetic, smile which overspread the tearful face of Rose at that
moment: for the arm was suddenly replaced, the three inches were reduced
to nothing, the fair head again rested on the once stalwart shoulder,
and thus they remained until the cavern was filled with the sounds:--

"Hi! Ho! Hallo! Rose--Rosebud ahoy! That girl would worry any man to
death! Where are you? Hi! Ship ahoy! Hallo-o-o!"

We need scarcely remark that Rose did not wait for the last stentorian
halloo! Bounding from her lover's side, she ran to meet her father--red
at first and then pale--exclaiming, "Oh! father I've found him!"

"Found who, child?"

"Jeff--I mean Mister--"

"Not dead?" exclaimed the Captain, interrupting with awful solemnity.

He was answered by the invalid himself coming out of the cavern, and
wishing him good-morning with a confused and guilty air.

"Well now," said Captain Millet after a moment's pause, while he glanced
from the one to the other, "this beats the polar regions all to sticks
and stivers. Rose, my dear, you go round the p'int, an' wait by the
dog-cart till I come to 'ee."

"So, young man," he said, turning sternly to Jeff, "you've bin cruisin'
after my little girl without leave."

"I am guilty, Captain Millet," said Jeff humbly, "but not intentionally
so. Long ago, when I learned that there was no hope of recovering my
old strength, I had determined to give up all thoughts of dear Rose; but
I was taken by surprise this morning--was off my guard--and, I confess,
wickedly took advantage of my opportunity to tell her how dearly I loved
her. Yet it was done under a sudden, irresistible impulse. I do not
excuse myself. I would give worlds to undo the evil I may have done.
But after all it _may_ be undone. Rose may have mistaken her extreme
sympathy and pity for love. If so, she will not suffer much, or long.
Indeed, now I think of it, she won't suffer at all, except regret at
having been led to raise false hopes in my breast."

The mere thought of this wa