k of those who were there on the same errand.

Elsie's tears began to fall as she saw the shore receding.

"Oh," she murmured very low and sadly, leaning on her brother's shoulder
and clinging more closely to him, "shall we ever return? ever see again
the dear land of our birth and all our loved ones left behind?"

"There is every reason to hope so, dear sister," he whispered in return.
"A voyage to Europe is not the great and perilous undertaking it used to
be; and we are under the same protecting care here as on land. 'And the
Lord, he it is that doth go before thee, he will be with thee, he will
not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.'"

She looked her thanks. "'Fear not;' sweet command! I must, I will obey it.
Oh, how true it is that in keeping His commands there is great reward! I
am fully convinced that in the perfect keeping of them all perfect
happiness would be found."

A gentleman standing near turned suddenly round. The tones of Elsie's
voice had reached him, though very few of the words.

"Ah, I thought I could not be mistaken in that voice," he said
delightedly, and offering his hand in cordial greeting. "How are you, Miss
Elsie? and you, Ned? Really you are the last people I expected to meet
here, though the very ones I should prefer above all others as _compagnons
de voyage_."

It was Philip Ross, Jr.

Neither of those addressed had ever enjoyed his society, and they were too
sincere and true to reciprocate his expressions of gratification at the
unexpected meeting. They accepted his offered hand, made kind inquiries in
regard to his health and that of the other members of the family, and
asked if any of them were on board.

"No," he said, "it's merely a business trip that I take quite frequently.
But ma and the girls are in Paris now, went last June and expect to stay
for another six months or longer. You two aren't here alone, eh?"

"Yes," Edward said.

"You don't say so!" cried Philip, elevating his eyebrows. "Who'd ever have
believed your careful mother--not to speak of your grandfather--would ever
trust you so far from home by yourselves!"

"Mr. Ross," Edward said, reddening, "I shall reach my majority a few
months hence, and have been considered worthy of trust by both mother and
grandpa, for years past."

"Mamma did not show the slightest hesitation in committing me to his
care," added Elsie in her sweet, gentle tones.

"Glad to hear it! didn't mean any i