A MESSAGE FROM THE SEA.

Jack could not honestly second this last remark. It was nearly dinner-
time, and he was growing tremendously hungry.

‘Where do you want to go?” asked the captain, making a shrewd guess
at their position.

‘“Where the mermaids swim in and out of the coral reefs,” said Jack in all
good faith, ‘and sing to the sailors about the lands under the sea.”

‘“My lad,” said the captain kindly, laying his hand on Jack’s shoulder, “I
once had a little son about your age, who sailed with me to the other side of
the world. He, too, wanted to hear the mermaids sing, and to catch them in
the sea-foam. Alas! the angels took the child into their keeping long ago.
Somehow I fancy you have a look of him, and I'll tell you what I'll do. Let
me know who you are, where you live, and if by-and-by your mother will let
you sail with me, I'll take you as my own for the sake of my boy, who had
eyes blue as yours.”

Jack listened eagerly to each word that fell from the captain’s lips; but as
he grasped his full meaning, something within him smote him for his conduct,
and he felt he did not really deserve such unexpected kindness.

‘““My name is Jack Ferris,” he said; ‘‘ but .I—I don’t know if you'll help

”

 

me when I tell you

A lump was rising in his throat. It required a mighty effort on his part
to hazard the loss of such a wonderful offer, but still he could not bring him-
self to accept it under false pretences.

‘““T meant to run away from home to-day, Dick and I together, but now —
I say, Dick, let's go back and tell mother and Molly. And please what is
your name, sir? And do come home with me now: you might forget what
you have said, though I shall remember it every day of my life.”

The captain waited to give a few directions, then taking Jack’s hand in
his, left the harbor and went down the sandy road.

What dreams and hopes awoke in Jack’s heart! What unfulfilled desires
and world-worn thoughts stirred within the captain’s during that walk !

Once more the child’s voice, so like that of his son’s, fell upon his ear,
laden with dim possibilities of renewed happiness. :

“It was Molly who told me about the message,” he said: ‘“ the mermaid
whispered it to her the day I found this shell on the shore.”

Mrs. Ferris listened silently while the captain explained his plans; — lis-
tened, divided between joy and pain. It was a great thing to know her father-