a strapping big fellow," to quote
Uncle John, being several inches over six feet.

"All you need, young chap," said Mary's Uncle, "is plenty of good,
wholesome food of Sarah's and Mary's preparing, and I'll see that you
get plenty of exercise in the fresh air to give you an appetite to
enjoy it, and you'll get a healthy coat of tan on your pale cheeks
before the Summer is ended."

Ralph Jackson, or "Jack," as he was usually called by his friends, an
orphan like Mary, came of good, old Quaker stock, his mother having
died immediately after giving birth to her son. His father, supposed
to be a wealthy contractor, died when Ralph was seventeen, having lost
his fortune through no fault of his own, leaving Ralph penniless.

Ralph Jackson possessed a good face, a square, determined jaw, sure
sign of a strong will and quick temper; these Berserker traits he
inherited from his father; rather unusual in a Quaker. He possessed a
head of thick, coarse, straight brown hair, and big honest eyes. One
never doubted his word, once it had been given. 'Twas good as his
bond. This trait he inherited also from his father, noted for his
truth and integrity. Ralph was generous to a fault. When a small boy
he was known to take off his shoes and give them to a poor little
Italian (who played a violin on the street for pennies) and go home
barefoot.

Ralph loved Mary devotedly, not only because she fed him well at the
farm, as were his forefathers, the "Cave Men," fed by their mates in
years gone by, but he loved her first for her sweetness of disposition
and lovable ways; later, for her quiet unselfishness and lack of
temper over trifles--so different from himself.

When speaking to Mary of his other fine qualities, Aunt Sarah said:
"Ralph is a manly young fellow; likeable, I'll admit, but his hasty
temper is a grave fault in my eyes."

Mary replied, "Don't you think men are very queer, anyway, Aunt Sarah?
I do, and none of us is perfect."

[Illustration: RALPH JACKSON]

To Mary, Ralph's principal charm lay in his strong, forceful way of
surmounting difficulties, she having a disposition so different. Mary
had a sweet, motherly way, seldom met with in so young a girl, and
this appealed to Ralph, he having never known "mother love," and
although not at all inclined to be sentimental, he always called Mary
his "Little Mother Girl" because of her motherly ways.

[Illustration: ROCKY VALLEY]

"Well," continued Mary's Aunt, "a quick te