ion came to tell you of the past," said Mrs.
Ruthven, after putting the jewel case away.

"I made her tell me the truth," said Jack.

"But how did you suspect this at first?"

"Because of something St. John said to Darcy Gilbert."

"What did he say?"

"Oh, it doesn't matter much--now, mother. He told Darcy I wasn't your
son."

"What else did he say?"

"Oh, I think I had better not say."

"But you must tell me, Jack; I insist upon knowing."

"He told Darcy that I was a nobody, and that I would have to go away
some day."

At these words Mrs. Ruthven's face flushed angrily.

"St. John is taking too much upon his shoulders," she cried. "This is no
business of his."

"I may be a nobody, but, but"--Jack stammered--"if he says anything to
me, I am afraid there will be a row."

"He shall not say anything to you. I will speak to him about this. Leave
it all to me."

"But he shall not insult me," said Jack sturdily.

Marion had left the apartment, to change her clothing, so she did not
hear what was said about St. John. A few words more on the subject
passed between the lady of the plantation and the youth, and then the
talk shifted back to Jack's past.

"Some day I am going to find out who I am." said the boy. "There must be
some way to do this."

"Are you then so anxious to leave me, Jack?" asked Mrs. Ruthven, and the
tears sprang into her eyes.

"No, no, mother; I will not leave you so long as you wish me to stay!"
he exclaimed. "It isn't that. But this mystery of the past must be
solved."

"Well, I will help you all I can. But do not hope for too much, my boy,
or you may be disappointed," and then she embraced him again.

Running up to his bedroom, Jack quickly changed the suit which had been
soaked the night before for a better one, and then came below again. He
hardly knew what to do with himself. The news had set his head in a
whirl. At last he decided to go out riding on a pony Mrs. Ruthven had
given him a few weeks before.

The pony was soon saddled by one of the stable hands, and Jack set off
on a level road running between the two Ruthven plantations. At first he
thought to ask Marion to accompany him, but then decided that he was in
no humor to have anybody along.

"I must think this out by myself," was the way he reasoned, and set off
at a brisk pace under the wide-spreading trees.

He was less than quarter of a mile away from home when he came face to
face with St. John, who was retur