The Celebrity, Complete

ith brass fittings, and under her stern, in big, black letters, was the word Maria, intended as a surprise and delicate conjugal compliment to Mrs. Cooke.

er of an emolument equal to half a year's sea pay of an ensign in the navy. His son and helper was to receive a sum proportionally exorbitant. This worthy man sighted Mohair on a Sunday morning, and at nine o'clock

r's pantry his duty was clear as daylight. Such was the comprehension and despatch with which he gave his commands that the captain returned from divine worship to find the Maria in profane hands, her immaculate deck li

to Far Harbor for another skipper, if, indeed, one could be found at that late period. And as luck would have it, six of Mr. Cooke's ten guests had left but a day or so since, and among them had been the only yacht-owner. None of the four that remained could do more than haul aft and belay a sheet. But the Celebrity, who chanced along as Mr. Cooke was ruefully gazing at the graceful li

receiving his overtures with a moderate enthusiasm. In fact, we were of one mind not to go when the subject was first broached. But my client had a persuasive way

nd his daughter, Mrs. Cooke and Miss Thorn, and Farrar and myself completed the party. We were to adhere strictly to primeval principles: the ladies were not permitted a maid, while the Celebrity was forced to leave his m

hangs

under way before it became painfully apparent that the Celebrity was much better fitted to lead a cotillon than to sail a boat. He gave his orders, nevertheless, in a firm, seamanlik

spinnaker, mate?" the Ce

d been acting uneasily, finally decided to gybe, and swept majestically over, c

breeze," we heard the Celebrity

ndicated her sex,

lau

il, Mr. Farrar?"

eze," Farrar replied; "it isn't s

transoms I judged they were telling stories. While Miss Thorn spent the time profitably in learning how to conn a yacht. At one, when we had luncheon, Mohair was still in the distance. At two it began to

Celebrity, "who to

t," Farrar returned, as h

n the deck warned the ladi

tosh, will you, Farrar?" said the Ce

time the Celebrity appeared at the cabin door, enveloped in an ample waterproof, a rubber cover on his yachting cap. A fool despises a danger he has never experienced, and our author, with a remark about a spanking breeze, ma

ambled to his feet and clutched the weather wash-board

that idiot out of the way for a while, or we

his back to the rain, sat an amused witness to the mutiny, as bli

d by you to take charge of it, I am to suffer indignity and insult. I have sailed larger yachts than this time an

torm, and the wind was now spinning the tops of the waves into a blinding spray. Although the Maria proved a stiff boat and a seaworthy, she was not altogether without motion; and the set expression on Farrar's face wou

eved demeanor, but soon the motion of the Maria became more and more pronounced, and the difficulty of maintaining his decorum likewise increased. The ruddy color left his face, which grew pale with effort. I will do him the justice to say that the effort was heroic: he whistled popular airs, and snatches of the grand opera; he relieved Mr. C

to clear, while Bear Island rose from the northern horizon. Both Farrar and I were surprised to see

er about t

can for her. My father and I were more fortunate. But you will both catch your dea

rtainly a new sensation to Farrar and myself. We assured her we were drying out and

u should both be wh

coats Miss Trevor sat

dig himself up and then read his own epitaph. It did not please him, but he was wise and amended his

ering had become easier was only too glad to join her in worrying

elves up," he said. "The epitaphs would only strengthen t

, however, lives in an apprec

re often epi

"but perhaps justly so. And yet there are some women

ked at her

ur pardon

," she replied quickly; "some of us are fo

Celebrity st

d The Sybarit

was p

tentiously, "and

a strong story of its kind, with a strong moral. There are men who might read that book and be a great deal bet

ft, but he perceived that she wa

moral?" h

en hampered by an indulgent parent with a large fortune. Desmond is a butterfly, and sips life after the approved manner of his kind,-now from Bohemian glass, now from vessels of gold and silver. He chats with stage lights

, but henceforth to live a life of usefulness and seclusion, which was certainly considerate. And furthermore, if by any accident he ever again involved the affections of another girl he would marry her, be she as ugly as sin or as poor as poverty. Then the heroine comes in. Her name is Rosamond, which sounds well and may be euphoniously coupled with Desmond; and, with the single exception of a boarding-school girl, she is the only young woman he ever thought of twice. In order to save her and himself he goes away, but the temptation to write

hugely, nevertheless, as more or less applicable to Mr. Allen. I made sure that gentleman was sensible of what was being said, though he scarcely moved a

. Farrar put into the little cove, where we dropped anchor, and soon had the chief sufferers ashore; and a delicate supper, in the preparation of which Miss Thorn showed her ability as a cook, soon restored them. For my part, I much preferred Miss