hether Crawford Smith and
I corresponded, to have asked me instead of hinting? Don't you think it
would?"

"Hintin'? Why--why, Mary-'Gusta, what-what--?"

His face was a study in expression. Mary bit her lip, but she managed to
appear solemn.

"Yes, hinting," she said. "Instead of asking if Crawford and I had
written each other you hinted. Well, now you know that we did write, and
have heard his letters to me, have you any objection?"

"Objection? No, no, course not. Why--I--I think 'twas a fine thing. I--I
like to get letters; a heap better than I do to write 'em," he added
truthfully.

"Then why?"

"Well--well--I--I--"

"And aren't you ashamed?" repeated Mary.

"Why--why, yes, by the jumpin' fire, I am! There! I was ashamed when I
done it."

"Then why did you do it?"

"Well--well, you see, Mary-'Gusta, I just wanted to know. Your Uncle
Zoeth and me have been actin' as your pilots for a consider'ble spell.
Course you're gettin' big enough now to cruise on your own hook--that
is, in reason, you understand--but--but--well, we've got so used to
takin' an observation every noontime, seein' how you're layin' your
course, you know, that it's hard to lose the habit. Not that Zoeth was
in on this," he added honestly. "He didn't do any of the hintin', as you
call it. I imagine he'll preach my head off for doin' it, when he gets
me alone."

"You deserve to have it preached off--or partly off, at any rate. Do you
beg my pardon?"

"Sartin sure. I'd beg it on my bended knees if 'twa'n't for the
rheumatiz."

"And you won't hint any more?"

"Nary a hint."

"That's right. If you want me to tell you anything, please ask. You must
trust me, Uncle Shad. I shall always tell--when there is anything to
tell."

"I know you will, Mary-'Gusta. I'm ashamed of my hintin'. God bless you,
dearie. Now kiss me good night."

He kissed her and, holding her in his arms, looked fondly down into her
eyes. And, as she returned his look, suddenly she blushed crimson and
hid her face in his jacket. Then she broke away and with a good night
ran from the room and up the stairs.

Shadrach looked after her, sighed, and, after finishing his locking up,
went upstairs himself. There was a light in his partner's room and he
entered to find Mr. Hamilton sitting at the little table with several
sheets of paper covered with figures spread out before him. The Captain
was so busy with his own thoughts that, for the moment, he did not
notice t