ill, through
the very perversity of human nature, if from no other cause, fall in love
with any other boy or girl whom he or she may happen to meet, rather than
with each other.

But in the case of these two young ones, Leonidas and Odalite, the plan
succeeded to perfection.

The two children were attracted to each other, grew very fond of each
other, became inseparable companions--seemed to have but one life between
them.

Even total strangers, who knew nothing whatever of the family arrangements
in regard to these children, observing their devotion to each other, would
say:

"This boy and girl were made for one another. It would be a sin ever to
part them. They are a perfect pair."

And Abel Force would smile and say nothing.

No one objected to his plan. But the faithful guardian, in justice to his
ward, would not allow him to grow up with the demoralizing anticipation of
marrying an heiress to live on her fortune.

After the boy had passed out of the hands of the family governess, and had
taken a course in Charlotte Hall College, his guardian called on him to
make choice of some profession.

Le unhesitatingly chose the navy.

So, after some considerable trouble and expense, Mr. Force succeeded in
getting the youth sent to the Naval Academy at Annapolis.

It happened about the same time that Abel Force was elected as a State
senator, and went with his family to spend the winter in the State
capital. So the young people were not separated. The end of the
legislative session was, also, so near the commencement of the long
summer's vacation of the Naval Academy, that Mr. Force, with his family,
always remained over in the city for the exercises, at the close of which
he took his ward with him to Mondreer.

This habit continued year after year, until Leonidas Force had completed
his course at the academy, and had graduated with honors.

Then he accompanied his guardian and the family home for the last time, to
spend a brief leave of absence before starting on his first long sea
voyage.

Leonidas was now about eighteen years of age, and Odalite about thirteen.

During that short visit home the two young people became more inseparable
companions than ever.

That they were destined for each other was well known to everybody, and so
well understood by themselves that no formal word on the subject was
spoken between them, or thought necessary to be spoken.

They seemed to know and feel that they belonged