her palest brow that heavy cloud of strange sorrow that overshadowed it. Such, for five years, had been the life, labors, and consolations of Estelle. And our favorite, Barbara Brande, the handsome Amazon, the brave girl-captain, what of her and her boy brothers, who must have almost reached the bourne of manhood? Barbara was now twenty-seven years of age. Under favorable circumstances, woman should continue to grow handsomer until her thirtieth year. Whether the beautiful Amazon was under such auspices or not, it is certain that at twenty-seven she was a much finer-looking woman than she had been at twenty-two. She had continued her sea life, and had prospered therein. The little brigantine, the Petrel, had been exchanged for the “Ocean Queen.” Her crew was quadrupled, and each hand had been selected with the greatest care and caution. Her brothers had nearly reached man’s estate, and were now able to sustain her authority in cases of exigency. Her trade had greatly increased. In a word, Barbara Brande had but one living regret. This was caused by the conduct of her eldest and favorite brother, Willful. Now, do not hasten to conclude that young Willful Brande contracted evil habits, for such a judgment would be the very antipodes of justice. A nobler-hearted, or more upright youth than Willful Brande never lived. He comprehended and appreciated his brave and beautiful sister, and thence he loved and honored her above all creatures on earth; and also, thence he was her greatest comfort and her best beloved; her “right-hand man,” her “gallant mate,” her “beau,” were some of the playful pet names she had bestowed on him. Her “rudder,” her “sheet-anchor,” her “storm-staysail,” were other earnest synonyms for her brother, Willful Brande. He resembled his sister. In the tall, lithe, strong and graceful figure, in the well-turned neck and stately head, in the clean cut, noble features; in the jet-black curling hair, and the full commanding eyes, he seemed the very counterpart of Barbara. Had they exchanged dresses, the one might have been taken for the other. And as this grand style of beauty was rather masculine than feminine, it proved even more attractive in Willful than in Barbara. Willful Brande had continued to be his sister’s greatest pride and joy, until he approached his sixteenth year. Then the youth conceived the ambitious idea of entering the United States Navy, and gave his sister no peace until she had, through an influential friend of her family—General ——, one of the senators from her State, procured for him a midshipman’s warrant. And Willful Brande now rejoiced in a naval uniform, and looked forward to the time when he should wear the epaulets. And Barbara, with Edwy for mate, still commanded the Ocean Queen. CHAPTER XXXIV. THE HEIRESS OF THE ISLE.