189
XX The Verdict 201
XXI Conclusion 210

JESSICA, THE HEIRESS

CHAPTER I.

JESSICA DISAPPEARS

Mrs. Benton and Jessica were upon the south porch of the Sobrante
ranch house, the former busy as usual, the latter idly enjoying her
charming surroundings as she swung to and fro in her hammock.

Mighty vines of pale yellow roses, intermingled with climbing
fuchsias, cast shade and sweetness over them; the porch was bordered
by a wide swath of calla lilies, also in full flower, while just
beyond these a great shrub of poinsettia dazzled the sight with its
gleaming blossoms.

When a momentary silence of the other's nimble tongue allowed her to
speak, Jessica exclaimed:

"Aunt Sally, you're the only person I know who can do three things at
once. You sew as fast as you rock, and talk faster than either. You're
a very clever woman."

The old lady answered complacently, as she bit off a fresh needleful
of thread and looked at her companion over her spectacles:

"Yes, dearie, I expect I am. I can do more'n that, too. I can keep up
a powerful thinking."

"About what, pray?"

"How that life is a patchwork quilt. All the colors of the rainbow,
and some that any self-respectin' rainbow would scorn to own. Some
scraps so amazing homely you hate to put 'em in, but just have to,
else there wouldn't be blocks enough to square it out."

"What sort of a scrap am I, Aunt Sally?"

"Huh! Fair to middlin'. Neither very light, nor very dark. You'd be
prettier, to my notion, if you'd fetch a needle and thread and sew a
seam with me, 'stead of swinging yourself dizzy out of pure
laziness."

"Now, Aunt Sally! I call that unkind! I hate to sew."

"I believe you. You'll never put a stitch where a pin will do. But,
never mind. If everybody else sets out to spoil you, I don't know as
it's my call to interfere."

There was so much tenderness in the glance that accompanied these
words that nobody could resent them; least of all the girl, who now
sprang from the hammock and curled herself at the other's feet.

"Tell me those powerful thoughts, auntie, dear."

Mrs. Benton sighed, but responded nothing loath:

"There's your mother, Gabriella. Only child, left an orphan, raised by
a second cousin once removed, who'd more temper than sense, and when
your mother fell in love with your father, who'd more goodness than
cash,