Captain January

she had determined to spend an hour or so in her own room, and enjoy all the delights of "dressing up." For the great chest that had been washed ashore from the wreck, the

ight of Hugh Maynard, her proud and fond husband, to deck his lovely wife in all rare and precious stuffs. Some of them were stained with sea-water, and many of the softer stuffs were crumpled and

amy? Just like the wild roses on the south side of the meadow, that I made a wreath of for Imogen on her birthday. Dear Imogen! it was so becoming to her. Well, so my poor mamma put it on-so! and then she paced through the hall, and all the lords turned round and said, 'Mark'st t

in fact all over the walls, were trophies and wonders of all kinds and descriptions. There was the starfish with ten legs, pinned up in sprawling scarlet; and there, beside him, the king of all the sea-urchins, resplendent with green and purple horns. And here were ropes of shells, and branches of coral, and over the bed a great shining star, made of the delicate gold-shells. That was Daddy's present to her on her last birthday. Dear Daddy! There, sitting in the corner, was Mrs. Neptune, the doll which Captain January had carved out of a piece

ind o' token, ye know, and not thinkin' there'd be so many to carve." So the first shell was all covered with ships: fair vessels, with sails all set, and smooth seas rippling beneath them,-the ships that were even then on their way to rescue the two castaways. And the second was carved with anchors, the sign of hope, and with coils of rope, and nautical instruments, and things familiar to seamen's eyes. But the third was carved with stars, and sickle-curved moons, and broad-rayed suns, "Because, ye see, Peach Blossom, arthly hope bein' as ye might say foun

rom either shoulder, and making, to her mind, a fair substitute for wings. "See!" she cried, running to and fro, and glancing backward as she ran. "They wave! they really do wave! Look, Mrs. Neptune! aren't they lovely? But you are envious, and that is why you look so cross. 'Merrily, merrily, shall I live now, under the blossom that hangs on the bough.'" She leaped and danced about the room, light and radiant as a creature of another world: then stopped, to survey with frowning brows her little blue stockings and stout laced boots. "Ariel never wore such things as those!" she declared; "if you say she did, Mrs. Neptune, you show your ignorance, and that is all I have to say to you." Off came the shoes a

o these ye

n take

out her hands to i

when ye hav

ld wave

atly here

flitted like a golden cloud about the room. Then, as she whirled round and faced the door, she stopped sho

rs in them. But there was no answering softness in the starry eyes of the child: only a wide, wild look of wonder, of anger, perhaps of fear. Presently the lady,

anyhow it isn't polite to come into people's houses without knocking, I think. I kno

irit?" asked the lady softly. "Oh

re," replied the child, "that my poor papa ha

spirit. But I have come to see you, little Star, and to t

n politeness and "quarter-deck manners." She brought a chair at once, and in a more g

gently towards her. "Were you playing fairy, dear?" she

yellow sands. Sometimes I am Puck, and sometimes Titania; but Daddy likes Ariel best, and so

hand on the fair head. "I never thought of such a pretty play as that, but I was very happy as a chi

h wondering eyes. "Wa

ft. We played together always as children, and we grew up together, two loving, happy girls. Then my sister mar

said Star, "but I wasn't named

was Maynard, because that was her father's name. Her father was

ys. And my poor mamma's name was Helena, just like Helena in 'Midsummer Night's Dream.'" The motherly hand trembled, and

s your dear sister?" she asked. "Why do you

iping the tears from her eyes, a

n, in September, Star, ten years ago this very year,-think of it, my dear!-they sailed for home. They came in a sailing-vessel, because the sea-voy

Perhaps it was the same storm. Do you think-why do

ne! It was the same storm; the same storm and the same ship. Your poor mamma was my own sweet sister Helena, and you are my niece, my little Isabel, my own, o

therwise she showed no sign of agitation. Presently she put up her hand and stroked the lady's cheek gently. "Why do you cry?" she a

e said, "I do like to have her in heaven, and I will not cry any more. But you have not told me w

me that name, 'cause I'm not it. I am just Star. Does Daddy love you?" she asked; and then, with a sudden note of

for each of the gentlemen by the fireside, and then took his stand against the wall on the further side of the room. He held his weather-beaten cap in his hand, and turned it slowly round

ng to love me, she says, and she will love you, too. Star, my darling, this is your Uncle George. Will you not give

his knee. "You are taller than our Grace," he said, "but I don't believe you are a

!" she said, looking round bravely at the others. "Why do you talk as if I belonged to you?" Then seeing the trouble in Mrs. Morton's face, she added, "I w

brown hand trembled between her two little white palms; the keen blue eyes were still bent fixedly upon the

! Easy, now! Helm s

guardian and friend here, and no father could have cared for you more tenderly than he has done. But the tie of blood is a strong one, my dear, and should not be lightly set aside. This lady is your own near relation, the sister of your dear dead mother. Through the merciful providence of God, she has been led to you, and she feels it her duty to claim

ollen cap, turned anxiously on the child. A deep flush passed over Star's face; then vanished, leaving it deadly p

"and take my body away, if you li

he other, as if watching for the

d now, but you will soon be a woman. You cannot grow up to womanhood in a place like this. You must be with your own people, and have companions of your own a

make no difference to me, your love, fo

d hands. "Speak to her! she will listen to you. Tell her-tell her what you s

very word he paused to draw the short, heavy breath), "I always told ye, ye 'member, that ye was the child of gentlefolks. So bein', 'tis but right that you should have gentle raisin' by them as is yer own flesh and blood. You've done your duty, and more than your duty, by me. Now 'ti

to go?" she cried. "Look at me, Daddy Captain! you shall look at me!" She snatched the cap from his hands and flung

he child's for a moment, then wavered and fell. "Why-honey-" he said, slowly, "I-I'm an old man now-a very old man.

ilver trumpet in the startled ears of the listeners. "Y

that fell like a burning touch on every heart. Her fantastic dress gleamed like a fiery cloud against the gray outside: her hair fell like a glory about her vivi

Gentleman!" he said. "I lied! I lied to my God, and to the little child who loved me. May Go

s an atrocious and vindictive outrage. I-I-you are not the woman I took you for, if you say another word to that old angel. Let him have the child, and send him one or two of your own into the

very sure it is forgiven in heaven, as it will be forgiven in the child's loving heart. And may God

lone beside the fire in his old armchair. The window was still open, for the air was soft and mild. The old

, a look, a pause; then a great glad cry, and Star flitted like a ray

g, happy silence, "dear Daddy, I am