MORGIANNA.

He had scarce read it, when the same clear tones, more subdued, hailed him, as he thought, with somewhat of kindness: 

“Captain, do me the favor to back your main-yard; I will come aboard of you—­alone!”

[Illustration:  Morgianna.]

The captain gave the necessary orders, and “hove to” within three or four cables’ length of the stranger; and in a very few minutes a four-oared boat, containing but a single figure besides the crew, was seen approaching the Ocean Star.

Captain Lane had a ladder put over the gangway and threw a rope to the boat as it came alongside; and the next moment the stranger sprang upon the deck of the Ocean Star.

With an easy grace he gave to the captain the quick, intelligible sign of the “great brotherhood” and, taking his arm familiarly, walked aft.

Captain Lane called the steward, sent for glasses and wine, and, as soon as they were placed upon the table, closed the cabin door, and found himself alone with his strange visitor.

The captain filled his glass and, sipping it in Spanish fashion, passed the decanter to the stranger.  He followed his example, and after the usual interchange of courtesies addressed him: 

“Captain, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Name it.”

“You are probably not aware of the true motive which induced me to heave you to?”

“I am not.”

“It is this:  I wish you to take a passenger to the United States—­a lady and her child.  Now that I have seen you and feel acquainted with you, by our common ties, I feel a confidence in sending them by you, which I should never have felt, perhaps, with another.  Will you take them?  Any price shall be yours.”

“Yes; I will take them.”

“Thank you.  I have a still further favor to ask.  I wish to send to the States a sum of money to be invested in the lady’s name, and for her account.  Will it be too much to ask you to attend to this?  You may charge your own commission.”

“I will obey your wishes to the letter,” Captain Lane answered.

The stranger grasped his hand across the table and, with some emotion, added: 

“If you will do this, and will place the lady and child where they may find a home, with the surroundings of Christian society, you will confer a favor upon me which money can never repay.”

Captain Lane looked at the man with astonishment, and for the first time gave him a glance that was thoroughly searching and critical.

He was apparently of about thirty-five years of age, a little above the medium height, with a broad forehead, over which fine, brown hair clustered in careless folds.  He wore his beard and mustache long, the former extending to a point a few inches below the throat.  His eyes were brown, large and full of expression, while in conversation, and a mild and melancholy smile occasionally stole over his features.