ife now, and--don't
you think we know each other well enough, and that early marriages are
more likely to prove happy than later ones?"

"No, I don't agree to any such sentiment as that; old folks may as
reasonably look for happiness--perhaps a trifle more reasonably--than
young ones."

The words seemed to be spoken by someone coming down the cabin stairway,
and everybody turned to look at the speaker; but he was not to be seen.

"Oh, that was Cousin Ronald!" exclaimed Violet, with a merry look at him,
"and no wonder, since he has gone courting again in his latter days."

"What! is that possible!" exclaimed Mr. Hugh Lilburn, in evident
astonishment. "And who? Ah, I see and am well content," catching sight of
Annis' sweet, blushing face. "Father, I offer my hearty congratulations."

A merry, lively scene followed, mutual congratulations were exchanged,
jests and badinage and spirited retorts were indulged in, and in the midst
of it all there were other arrivals; Walter returned bringing with him the
two Dinsmores and the Conly brothers and their wives; they were told the
news, and the captain noticed that Chester cast a longing glance at Lulu,
then turned with an entreating, appealing one to him. But the captain
shook his head in silent refusal, and Chester seemed to give it up, and
with another furtive glance at Lucilla, which she did not see, her
attention being fully occupied with the others, he too joined in the
mirthful congratulations and good wishes.

CHAPTER XIX.

Upon leaving the supper table the whole company resorted to the deck,
where most of them spent the evening, being very weary with the
sight-seeing of the day and finding restful seats there and a view of much
that was interesting and enjoyable. Chester and his brother left early to
take an evening train for the South.

"I am sorry for you that you must leave without having seen everything at
the Fair, Chester," Lucilla said in bidding him good-by, "but we can't any
of us stay the necessary forty-two years. I'll see all I can, though, and
give you a full account of it after I get home; that is, if you care to
come over to Woodburn and hear it."

"You may be sure I will and thank you, too," he returned, giving the
pretty white hand she had put into his an affectionate squeeze. "Good-by.
I'm glad you have your father to take good care of you."

"So am I," she said, with a happy laugh; "I'm sure there's no better
caretaker in the world."