tion never to touch a card for money or a glass for
liquor.

"And now, my own boy, let me bear the blame of this--your first
transgression. You are more to us than we have ever told you. You
are now your sister's guardian and knight, for, though she goes
under the wing of Mrs. Dr. Wells, and, owing to her intense desire
to take a woman's part we could not deny her, both your mother and
I are filled with anxiety as to the result. To you we look to be
her shield in every possible way. We have never ceased to thank
God for the pride and joy He has given us in our children. (You
yourself would delight in seeing what a tip-top little soldier
Will is making.) You have ever been manful, truthful, and, I say
it with pride and thankfulness unutterable, _square_ as boy could
be. You have our whole faith and trust and love unspeakable. You
have the best and fondest mother in the world, my son. And now I
have not one more word to urge or advise. Think and decide for
yourself. Your manhood, under God, will do the rest.

"In love and confidence,

"Father."

When Marion came tapping timidly at the stateroom door there was for a
moment no answer. Sandy's face was buried in his hands as he knelt
beside the little white berth. He presently arose, dashed some water
over his eyes and brows, then shot back the bolt and took his sister in
his arms.

CHAPTER X.

Not until the tenth day out from Honolulu was Mr. Stuyvesant so far
recovered as to warrant the surgeons in permitting his being lifted from
the hot and narrow berth to a steamer-chair on the starboard side. Even
then it was with the caution to everybody that he must not be disturbed.
The heat below and in many of the staterooms was overpowering, and
officers and soldiers in numbers slept upon the deck, and not a few of
the Red Cross nurses spent night after night in the bamboo and wicker
reclining-chairs under the canvas awnings.

Except for the tropic temperature, the weather had been fine and the
voyage smooth and uneventful. The Sacramento rolled easily, lazily
along. The men had morning shower-baths and, a few at a time, salt-water
plunges in big canvas tanks set fore and aft on the main deck. On the
port or southern side of the promenade deck the officers sported their
pajamas both day and night, and were expected to appear in khaki or
serge, and consequent discomfort, only at table, on dril