"Come, Mistress Royal," he said, as Harwin was explaining that he had asked her because she happened to be on the proper side for a bride, "let us make an effective tableau for the amusement of these mariners, who, since they are becalmed themselves, persist in wanting something going on." Elizabeth had heard the entreaty in Katie's light words. She knew that if she herself had cared for Mr. Archdale she could never have jested at marrying him. It made her all the more sure that Katie did care, because, otherwise, the girl would have found it great fun to rouse a little jealousy in the two admirers opposite, watching every movement. She yielded her hand to the light clasp that held it, and listened with less interest than the others to Mr. Harwin's distinct and rapid words until he came to the sentence, "I pronounce you man and wife." Then she shivered, and he had scarcely finished the adjuration that follows--"What God hath joined together let not man put asunder," when she snatched her hand away. "It is too solemn," she cried, "it is too much; we ought not to have jested so." Harwin laughed. "Pardon me if I've made you uncomfortable," he said; "but you will forget it in five minutes, and even for that time you must blame Master Waldo's curiosity." "And mine," added Katie, at which young Waldo gave her a grateful glance. Then he joined with her in breaking the hush that had fallen on the others. "Stephen," she said, "now for your story. Do you think you are coming off scot-free?" "I thought we had performed our parts," he said, turning to Elizabeth with a smile. "Mistress Royal has already told her story," cried Waldo, "There's no escape for you." "Escape would be difficult now, I confess." "So begin." He began obediently, but fortune was kinder than he had expected, for he had not fairly started when Kit cried out,-- "A breeze! Here it comes. Heads to larboard!" And down went Archdale's and those of the two ladies with him as the sail was shifted and the boat began to skim the water before the breeze which freshened every minute. Soon they had gained the cove where they were to land, and Archdale's story was never finished. * * * * * THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN. BY ERNEST NUSSE.