r state room than I had coming over," declared Lucy. "Why
can't we return with Captain Brown?"

"I should be delighted," said the captain. "The booking offices are on
Water Street."

"When do you sail?" asked the father.

"In three days, I believe we shall be ready."

"And your port?"

"New York."

"Your cargo?"

"Mixed."

"Any passengers?"

"A dozen or so--plenty of room, you see. We'll make you comfortable,
more so than on a crowded liner. Think about it, Mr. Strong."

"We shall," said Lucy and her father in unison.

CHAPTER XIX.

And thus it came about that the party of three visiting with Captain
Andrew Brown, decided to sail with him to New York. A few more days on
the water was of no consequence, except as Chester said to Lucy, to
enjoy a little longer the after-seasickness period of the voyage. As for
Chester himself, he was very pleased with the proposition.

A visit to the company's office in Water Street completed the
arrangement. "Yes," said the agent, "we can take care of you. There will
be a very small list of passengers, which gives you all the more room.
Besides, it's worth while to cross with Captain Brown."

As the boat did not lay up to the Landing Stage, but put directly to sea
from the dock, the passengers were stowed safely away into their
comfortable quarters the evening before sailing. When they awoke next
morning, they were well out into the Irish sea, the Welsh hills slowly
disappearing at the left. Chester was the first on deck. He tipped his
cap to Captain Brown on the bridge as they exchanged their morning
greetings. The day was bright and warm, the sea smooth. Chester stood
looking at the vanishing hills, glancing now and then at the
companionway, for Lucy. As he stood there, he thought of the time, only
a few days since, when he had caught his first sight of those same green
hills. What a lot had happened to him between those two points of time!
A journey begun without distinct purpose had brought to him father and
sweetheart. Outward bound he had been alone, empty and void in his life;
and now he was going home with heart full of love and life rich with
noble purpose.

Chester's father appeared before Lucy. The son met him and took his arm
as they paced the deck slowly. The father declared to Chester that he
was feeling fine; and, in fact, he looked remarkably well.

"I am sorry we did not hear from Gilbert before we sailed," said the
father; "but I suppose th