"The business-like way of some men!" exclaimed Trif. "Still, it must be something important. By the way, girls, the Admiral is a delightful gentleman, and he knows the two secrets that are in our hearts to-day, and we have a vacant place at the table--show him in, waiter." The party arose. The Admiral entered the room, and behind him came---- "Jermyn!" shouted Kate. How ridiculously thin armor is when there is a healthy heart under it! Kate rushed at Jermyn, threw her arms about him, and kissed him as affectionately as if he were a long-lost relation. "How did you come to be here?" she finally asked. "The Admiral brought me," Jermyn replied. Then, shocking, yet truthful to relate, Kate kissed the Admiral also. She was the taller of the two, so she had to lean over him, but no one laughed or seemed astonished--no one but Trixy, who exclaimed, "My!" but no notice was taken of it. "Ladies and gentleman," said the Admiral, gravely, after the excitement had subsided a little, and he stood with a lapel of his coat drawn back while he drew from his pocket a medal which hung from a clasp, "I thought when this medal was presented to me by my country that I had gained the highest honor of which an American was capable, but I am now compelled to change my opinion. Miss Trewman, the goddess of liberty will hereafter owe you a grudge." "But, Admiral," said Kate, all blushes and brilliancy, "how could you know that he had gone, and that--that--oh, that I wanted him back?" "Oh, I chanced to meet him, very early this morning, learned that he was going, and the reason of his sudden departure." "And you prevented him?" "How could I? He said that you had gone unexpectedly, and that he thought it his duty to follow you. I should have felt as he did, in similar circumstances, so I bade him God-speed." "But he started. I don't----" "I did, my dear," said Jermyn, "but the Admiral, with a special boat, chased our craft and the train, found me, stopped the train, and brought me back, and--here I am." "Oh, you are, indeed! Admiral, you're an angel." The Admiral bowed profoundly and said: "I cannot contradict a lady." "But how did you know--Oh, do explain what I'm sure none of us yet understand." "The Spaniards have a saying," the old gentleman replied, "that fortunes, like miseries always travel in couples. While I was breakfasting this morning, and feeling an almost impertinent interest, I must confess, in the affairs of an estimable couple who seemed to have encountered contrary winds, Trixy----" "Trixy?" "Really, Miss Trewman," said Trixy, with a troubled yet appealing face, "I didn't tell him anything awful. He said you'd gone to New York, and I said he was mistaken, 'cause mamma had made you change your mind, and that mamma was goin' to give a luncheon party this mornin' to you and Mr. Jermyn, and--and--that was all I said--wasn't it, Admiral?" "Absolutely all. Whatever has happened since has been entirely through what Trixy said."