Excuse me, captain, but what harm could there be in telling her my story and trying to win my way to her heart, provided--I spoke of marriage only as something to be looked for in the far-off future ?" "No, I cannot consent to that," returned the captain with decision.

"It would only put mischief into her head and rob her of her child-like simplicity.

She is still too young to know her own mind on that subject and might fancy that she had given her heart to one who would, a few years later, be entirely distasteful to her.

But I trust you, Chester, not to breathe a word to her of your--what shall I call it ?--admiration until you have my consent." "It is more than admiration, sir!" exclaimed Chester.

"I love her as I never loved anything before in my life, and it would just about kill me to see her in the possession of another." "Then comfort yourself that for years to come no one's suit will be listened to any more favorably than yours," returned the father of the girl he so coveted, and with that the interview came to an end.
Their conversation had been held at one end of the deck while the rest of the party sat chatting together at the other.