A few days later the Dolphin was again speeding southward, carrying her owner and his family—including Mrs. Travilla and her son Harold, also the Lelands, to their homes. They had a delightful voyage, and arrived at their destination in fine health and spirits. But that was not the last trip made by the yacht for that season; within a fortnight she was again steaming up the Hudson, and in the harbor of the city where the bridal party had left her they found her lying at anchor one day, when the train bearing them on their return from the west came rushing into the station.
"Oh, it really seems something like getting home!" Lucilla exclaimed as she stepped upon the deck. "But father did not come!" she added, with a slight sigh of disappointment, glancing about in the vain hope of catching sight of the manly form and face she loved so well.
"No, Mrs. Dinsmore, but you'll be sure to get sight of the captain when you reach the other end of the voyage," said Mr. Bailey, temporary skipper, coming forward with a bow and smile.
"And the voyage will be but a short one if the weather continues good," remarked Max, offering a hand to Bailey in cordial greeting, then introducing his bride.
"Yes," said Bailey, taking in his the hand she offered, and looking at her with admiring eyes, "I used to know her pretty well as Miss Leland. I wish you both a great deal of happiness and prosperity. And you and your bride the same, Mr. Dinsmore," shaking hands with Chester in his turn. "I think, ladies and gentlemen, you will find everything shipshape in the saloon and staterooms; the captain was very particular about all that."
"Yes," said Evelyn, "and now that we are here on the dear old yacht I feel that the discomforts of travel by rail are happily gotten rid of; everything is so clean, quiet, and homelike here."
"I think it is delightful," said Lucilla; "only I am disappointed that father did not come."
"No doubt it was having too many other things to attend to that prevented him," said Max. "And doubtless he will meet us at the wharf when we land."
The weather was all that could be desired, the yacht in fine condition, and in due time they anchored in the harbor of their own city, and presently landed, to find a number of the dear ones waiting for them. Captain Raymond was there with his entire family, and Lucilla had scarcely stepped ashore ere she found herself in his arms, his kiss of fatherly love upon her lips.