ear," he began.

"Nope," and Tessibel shifted one boot along the seam in the red carpet.

"Do you remember her?"

"Nope; don't remember none but Daddy."

"Have you ever been to school?"

Tessibel shook her head, displaying her teeth in smile which quickly
faded.

"Squatter's brats don't never go to school," she muttered.

She edged away from the professor, raising her eyes pleadingly to his.
The man read the desire the girl dared not put into words, but without
heeding her glance he proceeded to question her.

"Would you like to go to school?"

"Nope, all I want air Daddy home in the shanty. That air enough for me."

She suddenly turned her face away toward the door that led to the upper
cells.

"But if I assure you," urged Professor Young, "that your father will
positively get another trial, which is all that can be done at present,
would you then like to study?"

A definite shake of her head and another quick glance was Tessibel's
answer.

"I wants to read the Bible," she said, presently turning toward the
professor; "it air a dum hard book to read, I hear."

Professor Young tugged at the corners of his mustache to keep down a
smile.

"It would be easy for you to read any book if you went to school," he
told her. "How old are you?"

"Comin' sixteen."

"And cannot read--it's a pity! And wouldn't you like to learn to sing?"

Young was desirous of touching a responsive strain in the girl.

"Dum sight rather see Daddy--that's what I came here for! Ain't ye going
to let me see him?"

Professor Young rose with a sigh. Like the rest of her race, she did not
know gratitude. He had worked diligently, preparing an appeal for a new
trial which would bring acquittal to her humpbacked father, and he was
interested in her own welfare, but her thankless words checked his
inquiry. The professor did not realize what love meant to Tessibel, for
every desire within her paled into insignificance beside her passionate
devotion to Daddy Skinner.

Tess followed him silently up the long winding stairs, her heart
thumping in anticipation. The deputy's search of her clothing brought a
flush to her face, but without a word she allowed him to draw off the
great boots and quietly watched him as he turned them upside down,
receiving them back gravely. Her longing to see Daddy Skinner, to be in
his arms, to hug the grizzled head, overshadowed even this indignity. So
long had it been since Tess had nestled in the shaggy c