n misgivings as to what might be expected of them as the guests of Mrs. Curtis. She had written them that as long as they were to be anchored near Fortress Mo

re into that awe-inspiring realm, while Miss Jenny Ann at first refused to consider the idea, but f

d been allowed to be present at their coming-out parties. Mrs. Seldon, Lillian's mother, was devoted to Society, while Mrs. Butler cared for nothing outside her own home interests, and Mrs. Alden was too busy taking care of a large family

ding a landing for the houseboat, announced that it was safely sheltered near the southern end of Cape Charles; it was too rough to anchor the boat on the Virginia side of the shore. Besides, Tom was camping with some college friends on the shore of the cape, and had arranged that the housebo

he day appointed, escorted by Mrs. Curtis and Tom, the four girls and Miss Jenny Ann boarded the "Merry Maid" for their two weeks' stay, their former fears and misgivings were

icers from the battleships in the harbor at Hampton Roads. Many of them were foreigners, as there were several ships of other nations anchored there. There were beautiful women in beautiful gowns and wonderful jewels. Altogether it was a scene ca

ome in a place like this? I wish we had not come." Her distress looked out from her brown eyes as she watched the throng of fashio

n her self-consciousness, "they are just mere men an

by the dancers. Realizing that they were too near the center of the ballroom for comfort, the little party stepped back, edging nearer the wall. Madge, too fully absorbed in the gay scene before her to see just where she was goi

oing so. Such stupidity! Still, what can one expect from a crowd of country folks? I wonder how they happened to be her

to be seen that Phyllis was very angry. To Madge, however, was left the "retort courteous," and before Miss Jenny Ann could lay a restraining hand lightly upon her arm, the little captain said in a sweet, clear voice: "We are so sorry to be thought stupid. It is very unfo

ill-bred speech to be overheard, but she had not for a moment imagined that one of these apparently shy newcomers would fling back an answer. The two yo

hear me, I suppose I owe you an apology. I am one of the hostesses here to-night, as my f

her head. She was too angry to trust her voice. She turned away, and th

irectly behind her. Why, good evening, Flora," his eyes happened to rest on

l be pleased to know Miss Harris," he declared innocently. Then he presen

han she had previously exhibited. It was evident to the girls that she

toward being gracious, but she replied briefly and turned her atten

th your friend, Mr. C

joined Madge

t hold that rude speech of hers against us; she did not imagine you would overhear it. Mr. Lawton and I were awfully

estioned, hurriedly

shoulders. "Not well enoug

?" was his n

getting rather late in the year for sea ba

comfited young man, she smiled faintly and said, "I should not blame you for your fri

e as she did. She is a splendid girl. I've known her for a long time. She is the daughter of

retort that her father, too, had been an officer in the Navy; then, remembering, her face flushed and she compressed her red lips. Not yet. Not until she had found the man she sought and cleared her father's name.

er all?" Alfred Thornton's voice r

"To tell you the truth, I was n

e in Tom Curtis, "but there is a whole line of mi

e a dance, Miss Morton,

in that she liked this dark, thin-faced young man. When he talked he had a peculiar trick

we shall be out of the way of the dancers and you can ho

ry handsome in a pretty gown of black net over white silk, came in for a full share of attention, and was not a little worried as to whether as chaperon she ought to sit quietly and watch her charges or dance. She confided this to Madge, who merely laughed, told her that she looked "too sweet for anythi

ity it afforded to play "grown up." She wore her golden hair piled high on her shapely head, and as her white

ikely to be carried away by pleasure. Still, she felt as though she would like to go on dancing

n, the subdued murmur of laughing voices, stirred her imaginative temperament as the sunshine awakens flowers. The earlier thought of her father

ntrance to take the tired but enthusiastic girls and their chaperon down

t glorious time,"

was the

t. "I forgot you, Father," she said under her breath. "I was so busy having a good time I didn't ask a single officer if he knew that