e dun went to town," was the answer of the colored
girl.

"Did she say when she would be back?"

"No, sah."

"Do you know if my sister is around?"

"She dun gone off not five minutes ago, Massah Jack."

"Where to?"

"I heard her say she was gwine down to Ole Ben's boathouse. I 'spect she
dun t'ought yo' was dar."

Jack said no more, but giving the colored girl the fish, to take around
to the cook, he ran upstairs, washed and brushed up, and sallied forth
to find Marion.

The boathouse which had been mentioned was an old affair, standing upon
the shore of a wide bay overlooking the Atlantic ocean. It belonged to a
colored man called "Old Ben," a fellow who had once been a slave on the
Ruthven plantation.

As Jack approached it he saw Marion sitting on a bench in the shade,
with a book in her lap. Instead of reading, however, the girl was gazing
out to sea in a meditative way.

"Marion, I was looking for you."

"Oh, Jack! is that you? I thought you had gone fishing for the day."

"I just got home, after catching a pretty good mess. Want to go rowing
with me?"

"Yes, I'd like that very much. I was wishing you or Old Ben would come."

"Or, perhaps, St. John?" said Jack inquiringly.

"No; I didn't wish for him, you tease."

"I am glad of it, Marion. I don't want you to give me up for St. John."

"I do not intend to, Jack. But why are you looking so serious. Have you
anything on your mind? I never saw you look so thoughtful before."

"Yes, I have a lot on my mind, Marion. Come, I'll tell you when we are
out on the bay."

A rowboat was handy and oars were in the rack in the boathouse, and soon
the pair were out on the water. Although but a boy, Jack took to the
water naturally and handled the oars as skillfully as the average
sailor.

When they were about halfway across the bay he ceased rowing and looked
earnestly at the girl before him.

"Marion, I want to find out--that is, I've got some questions to ask,"
he blurted out. "I don't know how to go at it."

"Why, what in the world is the matter, Jack? You were red a moment ago.
Now you are as pale as a sheet."

"I want to know about something awfully important."

"I'm sure I cannot imagine what it is."

"Marion, aren't we real sister and brother?"

The question was out at last, and as he asked it his eyes dropped, for
he had not the courage to look into her face. He felt her start and give
a shiver.

"Oh, Jack! what put that in your head,"