me home?" Jess asked. "I
feel that I should get farther away. I must not go back to my old
life. I want to be free, to make my own living, and then----" She
hesitated, and paused while her face crimsoned.

"I know, dear. You want to marry the one you love. Isn't that it?"

"It is, but how did you guess it?"

"Oh, I was young once, and understand such things," Mrs. Hampton
smilingly told her. "But, there, we must not talk any more now. I am
sorry that I disturbed you. Sleep as long as you like."

This was but one of many conversations the two had during the next day.
While John was at work about the place, Mrs. Hampton and Jess talked
with each other, either in the kitchen or out upon the verandah. Thus
the two were drawn closer together, and understood each other better
than before. Then in the evening, when the day's work was done, John
joined them. He was happier than he had ever been in his life, and as
he went about his various tasks he could hardly believe it possible
that the one girl in the whole world who meant everything to him was
but a short distance away, awaiting his return.

The more Mrs. Hampton thought about Jess, the more determined she
became that nothing should take her from her. She was her daughter,
and she had the right to her, no matter what she had done in the past.
If it came to the worst she would claim her as her own, tell the whole
sad story, and bear whatever blame might fall upon her.

She thought over this during the next day, and the more she was with
the girl the more she loved her. The fact that John's love was added
to hers gave her much comfort. Nothing would please her better than to
see them married. Then she would have both a son and a daughter. But
would the girl's foster parents allow her to marry a man who was merely
an ordinary country farmer? It was hardly likely, judging by their
ambition to give her to the son of a Lord.

She was thinking of this as she worked in the kitchen, busily preparing
supper. John and Jess had gone for a walk down to the river, expecting
to be back in a short time. It was a beautiful evening, and as Mrs.
Hampton watched them as they moved down across the field her heart
filled with pride. She liked to see them together, for they were so
happy, and seemed to be perfectly suited to each other.

When supper was ready, she went out upon the verandah to await their
return. It was good to rest after the work of the day, and lo