Captain Raymond and his wife and daughters returned to the yacht rather earlier than was their wont, and sat on its deck awaiting the coming of the others.

“Papa,” said Lucilla, breaking a momentary silence, “I have been wondering why you took the cousins to Michigan City rather than to Pleasant Plains as you did before.”

“Because it would have taken a good deal longer to go to Pleasant Plains; for which reason they preferred Michigan City, not wishing to take the cars here because of the great crowds about the stations, causing much inconvenience and some peril to those who must push their way through them.”

“I wondered that the bride and groom were willing to go on the cars at all after hearing of the many accidents on the trains of late, papa,” said Grace.

“I trust they will not meet with any,” said her father.  “The crowds are coming in this direction, and I think it is on those trains that most of the accidents occur.  But we will all pray for them, asking the Lord to have them in his kind care and keeping.”

“Yes, indeed, papa!” she replied, in earnest tones.  “I am so glad that we may, and that we know—­because he has told us so—­that he is the hearer and answerer of prayer.  Still I am glad we are not going home by rail.”

“So am I,” he said; “yet yachts are sometimes wrecked; and in fact there is no place where we could be certain of safety except as our heavenly Father cares for and protects us; and in his kind care and keeping we are safe wherever we may be.”