He supported the application, and I was assured of the next vacancy in a native state, provided that I got married." He drawled out the concluding words with exasperating slowness.

Iris, astounded by the stipulation, dropped her locket and leaned forward into the red light of the log fire.

The sailor's quick eye caught the glitter of the ornament.
"By the way," he interrupted, "what is that thing shining on your breast ?" She instantly clasped the trinket again.

"It is my sole remaining adornment," she said; "a present from my father on my tenth birthday.
Pray go on!" "I was not a marrying man, Miss Deane, and the requisite qualification nearly staggered me.

But I looked around the station, and came to the conclusion that the Commissioner's niece would make a suitable wife.