ft,
while the steamer surged by.

"What makes you say that?" Grimsby questioned. This was the first
glimpse he had caught of the boy's feeling, and he surmised its meaning.

"D'ye think she'd marry a thing like Donaster?" Eben contemptuously
asked. "She's got more sense."

"So you know her, then?" The question caught Eben off guard, and his
face suddenly flushed. Grimsby smiled. "She came up with you, on your
last trip, didn't she?"

"How d'ye know that?" Eben's hands let go of the wheel in his
amazement.

"Oh, I know everything. But I guess you're right, Eben. Miss Randall
will never marry Donaster. He's after her good and hard, though, so
it's up to you and me to help her."

"In what way?"

"She and John Hampton are in love with each other, I understand. Can't
we do something to keep Donaster away? He's a deep-dyed villain,
that's what he is, and we must not let him bother Miss Randall. He
thinks that I'm going to help him out."

"How?" Eben hardly knew that he had asked the question. He was
thinking deeply, and wondering why he should help Grimsby. Had not
Miss Randall left him for Hampton? The thought rankled in his soul.
Why should another have her when she was so much to him? He was
aroused by his companion.

"Say, lad, what's the matter with you? I've asked you two questions,
and you seem to be stricken dumb. What are you thinking about? Not in
love yourself, are you?"

Eben grinned sheepishly, and his face crimsoned a deeper hue than ever,

"What were ye askin' me, Gabe? Guess me mind must have been wanderin'.
It goes off sometimes an' fergits to come back. It's bad havin' a mind
lake that, isn't it?"

It certainly is, and a sure sign that a man's in love, so I've been
told. Now, look here, Eben, are you in love with Miss Randall? There,
now, don't get excited. It's only natural. I was young once meself."

"Why d'ye ask me that, Gabe? What makes ye think I'm in love with her?"

"From your actions, boy. And say, if you're in love with Jess Randall,
then by the jumping moon, I'm going to help you to get her. I don't
care a rap for Donaster or anyone else. I've known you ever since you
were a kid, and I've a fancy for you, so there."

Eben made no reply, but stood staring straight before him. During the
last few days a notable change had come over this awkward youth. The
influence of a deep passion had transformed him from boyhood to
manhood, and he was now able t