"I don't feel that way," protested Drew. "And to prove it, I'll----"

"Listen!" said Ruth hurriedly. "Wasn't that my father calling me?"

"I didn't hear him," he replied, looking at her suspiciously.

"I think I'd better go and make sure," decided Ruth, moved by a sudden
impulse of filial duty.

"Let him call again," suggested Drew.

But Ruth was sure that this audacious young man had said quite enough
for one morning, and she held out her hand.

"Good-bye," she smiled. "I know from what my father has told me that
you have an awful lot to do to get ready for the trip."

"Have I?" rejoined Drew. "I'd forgotten all about them."

They laughed.

He held the soft hand and fluttering fingers a trifle longer than was
absolutely necessary, and after he released them he stood watching her
lithe figure until she disappeared.

When Drew left the _Bertha Hamilton_ he was treading on air and his
head was in the clouds.

His dream had come true--part of it at least. He had found her, had
talked with her. He was going to sail in the same ship with her. They
would be thrown together constantly in the enforced intimacy of an
ocean voyage. He would see her in the morning, in the afternoon, in
the evening. And at last he would win her. The last part of his dream
would be realized as surely as the first had been.

But when he got back to the shop he found that he was in a practical
world whose claims refused to be ignored. Winters still needed a lot
of coaching, and the time was short. The business must not suffer
while Drew was gone.

One thing lifted from his shoulders some of the weight of
responsibility. Tyke would be at hand to superintend things and to
keep a check on Winter's inexperience. To be sure, he would be in the
hospital for some time to come, but Winters could go to see him every
evening, and get help in his problems.

The _Bertha Hamilton_ was to sail at high tide on Thursday morning, and
by Wednesday night Drew had sent his baggage on board and had settled
the last item that belonged to Tyke's part of the contract. Everything
from now on was in the hands of Captain Hamilton.

He went up to the hospital to report to his employer and to say
farewell. They talked long and late, and both were strongly moved when
they shook hands in parting. Who knew what might happen before they
met again? Who knew that they ever would meet again?

"Good-bye, Mr. Grimshaw," said Drew. "I hope you'll b