"Are you going to love this young man--Chester Lawrence?"

"Father," she cried, "what do you mean?"

"Just what I say. I am not blind. I made him promise not to seek your company or talk religion to you. Tomorrow I shall relieve him from that promise."

"O, father!"

"There now, child,--and Lucy, he may talk of religion and love all he wants. I think those two things, when they are of the right kind and properly blended, are good for the heart, don't you?"

"Yes, thank you, dear daddy--we are so near England now that I may call you daddy."

"Then good-night, my girl;" and he kissed her again in the doorway.

CHAPTER VII.

But next morning there was no time to talk of either love or religion for Chester and Lucy.

The coast of Ireland had been sighted earlier than had been expected, and there was the usual straining of eyes landward. Chester was among the first to see the dark points on the horizon which the seamen said was the Irish coast, and which as the vessel approached, expanded to green hills, dotted with whitened houses. This then was Europe, old, historic Europe, land of our forefathers, land of the stories and the songs that have come down to us from the distant past.

"Good morning. What do you think of Ireland?" Lucy touched his arm.

"Oh, good morning. You are up early."

"I am feeling so fine this morning that I had to get up and join in the cry of 'Land ho.' No matter how pleasant an ocean voyage has been, we are always pleased to see the land. Besides, we get off at Queenstown."

"What!" exclaimed Chester. "I thought you were bound for Liverpool?"

"Yes, later; but we are to visit some of our people in Ireland first.

Papa has a brother in Cork. We intend to remain there a few days, then go on to Dublin, Liverpool, London, Paris, etc., etc.," laughed the girl.

Chester's heart sank. The separation was coming sooner than he had thought. Only a few more hours, and this little sun-kissed voyage would end. He looked at the girl by him; that action was not under embargo.

Yes; she was uncommonly sweet that morning. Perhaps it was the Irish blood in her quickening at the nearness of the land of her forefathers.

Cheeks and lips and ears were rosy red, and the breeze played with the somewhat disheveled hair. There was a press of people along the rail which caused Lucy's shoulders to snuggle closely to his side. Chester was silent.

"Yes;" she went on, "there's dear old Ireland. You see, this is my second visit, and it's like coming home. You go on to Liverpool, I understand."

"I have a ticket to Liverpool," he said; "but I suppose they would let me off at Queenstown, wouldn't they?"

"Why, certainly--how fast we are nearing land. I'll have to go down now and awaken father. We haven't much time to get ready."

He would have held her, had he dared. She was gone, and there were a hundred and one questions to ask her. She must not get away from him like this. He must know where they were going--get addresses by which to find them. He had no plans but what could be easily changed. Seeing Europe without Lucy Strong would be a dull, profitless excursion.

Chester's thoughts ran along this line, when Lucy appeared again. The color had left her face.

"Father is very sick," she said to Chester. "He seems in a stupor. I can't wake him. Will you find the doctor?"

"I'll get him," he said. "Don't worry. We'll be down immediately."

Chester and the doctor found Lucy rubbing her father's hands and forehead, pleading softly for him to speak to her. The doctor after a hurried examination, said there was nothing serious. A nervous break-down of some kind only--no organic trouble--would be all right again shortly.

"But doctor, we get off at Queenstown," explained Lucy.

"Well, I think you can manage it. By the time you are ready to leave, he will be strong enough. This young man seems able to carry him ashore, if need be. Are you landing also," he asked of Chester.

"Well--yes."

Lucy looked at the young man, but said nothing. The doctor promised to bring some medicine, then left.

"But Mr. Lawrence--" began Lucy.

"I'll listen to no objections," interrupted he. "I couldn't think for a moment of leaving you two in this condition. You're hardly able to lift a glass of water, and now you father's ill also. No; I am going with you, to be your body guard, your servant. Listen! I'm out to see the old world. I should very much like to begin with Queenstown and Cork."

The father moved, opened his eyes, then sat up He passed his hand over his face, then looked at the two young people. "It's all right," he muttered, then lay down again on the pillow. The doctor came with his medicine. There were now heard the noise of trunks being hoisted from the hold and the bustle of getting ready to leave the ship.

"Father," said Lucy. "We must soon get ready to leave. Will you be able?"

"Yes, yes, child"--it seemed difficult for the old man to speak.

"And Chester--Mr. Lawrence--here is to go with us and help us."

"Yes." He nodded as if it was easier to give assent in that way.

"We'll make all things ready, daddy. Don't you worry. Rest as long as you can. It will be some time yet before you will need to get up."

The sick man nodded again.

"I'll remain here while you get ready," said Chester. "Then you may attend while I do what little is necessary. I'll let my trunk go right on to Liverpool.

Lucy hurried away and Chester sat down by the bed. As he smoothed out the coverlet, the minister reached out and took Chester's hand which he held in his own as if to get strength from it. There came into the old man's face an expression of contentment, but he did not try to talk.

Lucy returned, and Chester hurried to his own room where he soon packed his few belongings and was ready. He found the elders on deck watching the approach to Queenstown, and explained to them what had happened to change somewhat his plans. "I'll surely hunt you up," he said to Elder Malby, "and visit with you;" and the Elder wished him God-speed and gave him his blessing.

Slowly the big ship sailed into Queenstown harbor, and then stopped. The anchor chains rattled, the big iron grasped the bottom, and the vessel was still. What a sensation to be once more at rest! Now out from the shore came a tender to take Queenstown passengers ashore. Small boats came alongside from which came shrill cries to those far above on deck.

A small rope was thrown up which was caught and hauled in by the interested spectators. At the end of the small rope there dangled a heavier one, and at the end of that there was a loop into which a good-sized Irish woman slipped. "Pull away," came from below, and half a dozen men responded. Up came the woman, her feet climbing the sides of the steamer. With great good-nature the men pulled until the woman was on deck. Then she immediately let down the lighter rope to her companion in the small boat, where a basket was fastened and drawn up. From the basket came apples, or "real Irish lace," or sticks of peculiar Irish woods, all of which found a ready sale among the passengers.

From one of the lower decks of the steamer, a gang-way was pushed on to the raised deck platform of the tender, and even then the incline was quite steep. This bridge was well fastened by ropes, and then the passengers began to descend, while their heavier baggage was piled on the decks of the tender.

Lucy and her father soon appeared. Chester met them below and helped the sick man up, along the deck, and down the gang-way to the tender, where he found a seat. Lucy followed, stewards carrying their hand baggage.

From their new position they looked up to the steamer. How big it was!

The day was beautifully warm. Well wrapped in his coat, the father rested easily, watching with some interest the busy scene around him. He being among the last to leave the liner, they were soon ready to be off.

The gang-way was drawn in again, and the tender steamed away towards the inner harbor. The big ship weighed its anchor, then proceeded on its course to Liverpool, carrying away its little world of a week's acquaintance, to which Chester and Lucy waved farewell.

Queenstown, in terraced ranks, now rose before them. The pier was soon reached, from which most of the travelers continued their journey by rail. The minister and his party, however, took passage again on a small boat for Cork. Everything being new to Chester, and the father being quite unable to do anything, the initiative, at least, rested on Lucy.

With Chester's help, she managed quite well.