a violent shudder he saw the boatswain leave the window and
take up a position in front of the door. Miss Jelks drew on her gloves
and, with another glance in the mirror as she rose, turned to leave. Mr.
Filer made no attempt to follow.

"Ain't you ready?" said Miss Jelks, pausing.

"I'm not feeling very well," said the young man, desperately, as he
passed his hand across his forehead. "It's the ice, I think--I'm not
used to 'em."

"Perhaps the air will do you good," said Rosa.

Mr. Filer shook his head. Whatever good the air might do him would, he
felt certain, be counteracted by the treatment of the boatswain.

"Don't wait for me," he said, with a faint sad smile. "I might be here
for hours; I've been like it before."

"I can't leave you like this," said Rosa. "Why"--she turned suddenly,
and her face lit up with a smile--"here's Mr. Walters! How fortunate!
He'll be able to help you home."

"No--don't trouble," gasped Mr. Filer, as the boatswain came into
the shop and prepared to render first aid by moistening his palms and
rubbing them together. "It's very kind of you, but I shall be all right
if I'm left alone. I'd rather be left alone--I would indeed."

"You'd better let the gentleman help you home," urged the shopkeeper.
"He looks strong."

Mr. Filer shuddered.

"And you can lean on me," said Rosa, softly.

Mr. Filer shuddered again, and with surprising energy, considering his
invalid condition, gripped the iron frame of the table with his legs and
clutched the top with his hands.

"I don't like leaving him here," said Rosa, hesitating.

[Illustration: I don't like leaving him here 196]

"Neither don't I," growled the boatswain. "'Ow-ever, I s'pose I'll run
against 'im sooner or later."

He escorted Rosa to the door and, after a yearning glance at Mr. Filer,
followed her out and walked by her side in silence.

"Poor fellow," said Rosa, at last. "How generous he is! I believe he'd
give me anything I asked for."

Mr. Walters started and, bending his brows, muttered something about
giving Mr. Filer more than he asked for.

"Oh, yes; I dare say," retorted Rosa, turning on him with sudden heat.
"I'm not to speak to anybody to please you. You leave my friends alone.
What's it got to do with you?"

"I see you," said Mr. Walters, darkly; "I see you from the ship. You
little thought as 'ow I was a watching your little games."

Miss Jelks stopped and, drawing herself up, regarded him haughtily.

"I