love you," Jess slowly replied. "I love you more than
words can tell. But we must wait a while. I am a runaway girl, you
know, and I must not bring disgrace upon your family."

"Disgrace! I do not understand you. How could you bring disgrace upon
mother and me?"

Jess smiled as she gently freed her hand, and plucked a leaf from the
branch of a small tree. This she twirled in her fingers, and then tore
it into bits, dropping each piece separately upon the ground.

"There is my answer," she said, in a voice that was low but full of
emotion. "What I have done to that innocent leaf people will do to me
when they find out what I have done. They will not spare me any more
than I have spared that leaf. They will take my life and rend it
asunder bit by bit. They will hear about my experiences on the 'Eb and
Flo'; that a mishap befell me at the quarry; that I was taken away in
the dead of night, and kept hidden by a young man so that my parents
could not find me. I know what construction they will put upon all
this, and no matter how much I might explain it will make no
difference. I will be looked upon as a girl who has gone astray, and
will be held in contempt by all. Oh, I know how it will be, for I
remember how people talked about a girl who did something not half so
daring as mine, and she was never forgiven. Her character was torn
into shreds by cruel tongues."

"But what has all this to do with our love?" John asked. "I don't care
what people say. In fact, I will face the whole world, and if I hear
anyone breathe a word against you it won't be well for him."

"I know you would do what you could, John, but not likely you would
ever have the chance. What could you do against the many conversations
where my name and deed will be introduced. And in what a subtle manner
judgment will be pronounced, 'Poor girl; isn't it too bad?' 'How hard
on her parents!' That is the way most people will refer to me, though
some will express their views in no uncertain language. I have heard
it before, and know just what to expect."

"But, Jess, why need we care what they say?" John insisted. "We can be
happy together. Our love will make up for everything else."

"Yes, I know that, John. But until this storm blows over, and I am
condemned and forgotten it is better for us to remain just as we are.
I must get away from here and do something."

"You're not going to leave, Jess. You must stay right here."

But