"
"You were going alone-you had no friends with you?"
"None at all, miss."
"That is well," she said. "What is your name?"
"Ben Stanton."
"Do you live in the city?"
"No, miss. I came from the small town of Hampton."
"Where are you staying?"
"Nowhere. I only arrived in the city this morning."
"Will you be able to go by the next steamer?"
Ben hesitated. It almost took away his breath--it seemed so
sudden-but he reflected that there really was no reason why he
should not, and he answered in the affirmative.
"Then go back with me, and I will engage passage for us both."
The young lady and Ben reentered the office, Tom Cooper looking on
with astonishment. She approached the counter, this time with
confidence, and the agent came forward.
"I have concluded to engage passage for myself and this lad," she
said.
The agent regarded her with surprise.
"Both first-class?" he asked.
"Certainly, sir. I should like the lad to occupy a stateroom near
mine."
"Very well. I will show you on the plan those that are unengaged. I
cannot give either of you a stateroom to yourselves. I can give you
a room with a very agreeable lady, a Mrs.
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