s caught the words.

"I would forfeit my life before I would harm her, believe me!" Two pairs
of masculine eyes turned at the opening of the door, and both men were
looking into the eager face of Tessibel. The Professor did not come
forward to meet her; his manner was stiff and formal. For a moment even
the student's last words left her mind, and Daddy Skinner rose before
her.

"Ye be here to tell me about Daddy?" she asked.

"You needed me to come more for yourself than to tell you of your
father, child!" said Young with accusing eyes upon Frederick.

A sullen expression flitted across Tessibel's lips.

"Ye didn't need to come, if yer a goin' to make the student sorry," she
answered haltingly. "Ye has yer own business to mind."

Tess was standing between them, her glance turning first to Frederick,
then to the Professor. She didn't fully understand his words, but she
knew that Frederick had been hurt by something the lawyer had said.
Young began to button his coat. He had thought the girl worth saving,
and Frederick had ever been in his mind as the perfection of young
manhood. His throat tightened; he looked at Tess and thought of his love
for her. It was almost mastering him. Why should he suffer over such a
girl, who insulted him even while he was trying to help her?

Frederick stood up wearily. Professor Young ought to realize the
situation, to remember that some shelter was necessary for him. Tess was
stolidly arranging the table.

"You do not know how I came to be here," said Frederick briefly.

"It is enough that I see you here," replied Young.

In a temper Tess slammed the oven door loudly.

"She found me on the tracks," explained Frederick. "I escaped from the
sophomores and she brought me here. I should have frozen to death
otherwise--and I did not think that it might harm her."

"It ain't hurt me," cried Tessibel coming forward. "He air the one what
helped me get my Daddy Skinner out of trouble. He air my friend!"

The rage of the girl when she wheeled impetuously upon him made the
Professor catch his breath. He had been the one who had done all the
work, had given her father a new lease of life. He had come now to tell
her about the letter, and to hear her say that a lad with no influence
whatever had done that which it would have been impossible for him to
do, to hear Tess give the credit which should be his to Frederick made
Young pass his fingers through his hair nervously, and wonder just w