'

By this time the song was finished, and Phil, taking off his cap, went
the rounds. None of the contributions were larger than five cents,
until he came to the young lady of whom we have spoken above. She drew
a twenty-five-cent piece from her portemonnaie, and put it into Phil's
hand, with a gracious smile, which pleased the young fiddler as much as
the gift, welcome though that undoubtedly was.

"Thank you, lady," he said.

"You sing very nicely," she replied.

Phil smiled, and dirty though his face was, the smile lighted it up with
rare beauty.

"Do you often come on these boats?" asked the young lady.

"Sometimes, but they do not always let me play," said Phil.

"I hope I shall hear you again. You have a good voice."

"Thank you, signorina."

"You can speak English. I tried to speak with one of you the other day,
but he could only speak Italian."

"I know a few words, signorina."

"I hope I shall see you again," and the young lady, prompted by a
natural impulse of kindness, held out her hand to the little musician.
He took it respectfully, and bending over, touched it with his lips.

The young lady, to whom this was quite unexpected, smiled and blushed,
by no means offended, but she glanced round her to see whether it was
observed by others.

"Upon my word, Florence," said her father, as Phil moved away, "you have
got up quite a scene with this little ragged musician. I am rather
glad he is not ten or twelve years older, or there might be a romantic
elopement."

"Now, papa, you are too bad," said Florence. "Just because I choose to
be kind to a poor, neglected child, you fancy all sorts of improbable
things."

"I don't know where you get all your foolish romance from--not from me,
I am sure."

"I should think not," said Florence, laughing merrily. "Your worst enemy
won't charge you with being romantic, papa."

"I hope not," said her father, shrugging his shoulders. "But the boat
has touched the pier. Shall we go on shore, or have you any further
business with your young Italian friend?"

"Not to-day, papa."

The passengers vacated the boat, and were replaced by a smaller number,
on their way from Brooklyn to New York.

CHAPTER VI

THE BARROOM

Phil did not leave the boat. He lingered in the cabin until the
passengers were seated, and after the boat was again under way began to
play. This time, however, he was not as fortunate as before. While in
the midst of a tune one of the men