ed, so nothing more was said about the
matter.

"They won't come," the captain announced. "They say they're not
dressed to receive company, an' I guess they're right. Martha does
sartinly git on queer togs when she looks after the barn an' the
chickens. I wish to goodness, Miss, ye'd slip out an' surprise her.
It'd be a fine joke."

"Oh, that wouldn't be fair," Jess laughingly replied. "I wouldn't like
for anyone to do that to me. We can come again."

Having bidden the captain and his son good-night, the young couple
strolled down through the field toward the shore. The darkness had now
deepened, but before them flowed the river, touched with the last rich
rosy tints of the departed sun.

"Isn't it beautiful!" Jess exclaimed, as she stopped and looked out
upon the water. "This is a perfect ending of a perfect day."

"It has truly been a wonderful day," John replied, "but I am not sure
yet about the perfect ending. That remains to be seen."

"In what way, John? Could anything be more perfect than this?"

"Come, and I will explain," was all the young man said, as once more
they moved forward,

They passed along the path leading to Beech Cove, and when near the
shore, they sat down upon an old log which years before had been
stranded upon the beach.

"This is where Eben threw the stick," Jess remarked, as she looked
around. "He has changed a great deal since then. He was not one bit
jealous of you to-night."

John laughed as he nervously tore off a splinter from the log and broke
it into bits. "I had two rivals then, but now I have none. One has
repented of his own free will, while the other will trouble you no
longer. Are you glad?"

"I suppose I should be," the girl slowly replied.

"And it will not be necessary to run away from your father now, and
work for your own living," John continued. "So that matter is settled."

"But I have no father now," was the low response. "You have taken my
place, so if I don't work I shall have to depend upon my own mother for
a living, and I could not think of doing that."

"But you will have plenty, Jess. Your father, I mean my father. Dear
me, I am all mixed up. Suppose I say, 'Our father'? Anyway, he wants
me to go to the city, and help him in his business, which he says is
too much for him to manage alone. He told me this afternoon that he
would do what he could for the developing of the mine, and feels quite
sure that he will succeed. Now, if