"That was last night, you say?"

"Yes, just before six o'clock."

"He had not heard, then, of his daughter's terrible deed."

John started, and looked keenly into Mrs. Hampton's face.

"Why, what have you heard, about his daughter, mother?" He tried to be
calm, but his heart was beating rapidly.

"I heard that she drowned herself last night."

"Who told you that?"

"Gabriel Grimsby. He called in to rest for a while this afternoon.
You met him, did you not?"

"Indeed I did, the rascal. But he is not anxious to meet me. I let
him have ten dollars some time ago, and he has given me a wide berth
ever since. What did Gabe tell you about Miss Randall?"

"Not very much. He merely said that she was a beautiful girl, much
sought after, and moved a great deal in society. It seems that her
parents wanted to force her to marry a man for whom she did not care, a
Lord Somebody or other, and in despair she took her own life. Poor
girl! it is very sad. You must have heard of it, John, and whether
they have found her body."

John was listening intently to every word, at the same time watching
the "Eb and Flo" bearing steadily up river.

"They have not found her body," he absently replied. "There is great
excitement at Benton's wharf, and the river is now being dragged for
her body."

"Dear me!" Mrs. Hampton sighed. "Her parents must be heart-broken."

"Heart-broken! H'm, they haven't any hearts to break. If they had,
they wouldn't try to force their only daughter to marry a thing like
Donaster."

"It is often done, though, John."

"I know it is. Some parents seem to think nothing of selling their
daughters to the highest bidders. Imagine you, mother, doing such a
thing if you had a daughter."

Mrs. Hampton turned her face toward the door lest John should detect
the colour mounting her temples. But the young man noticed nothing out
of the ordinary. He was looking out upon the river, watching the "Eb
and Flo," now not far away. Presently he turned, and pulled out his
watch.

"Why, it's five o'clock!" he exclaimed. "I had no idea it was so late.
I have to go to the quarry, mother, on--on business. I want to see
someone there."

"To-night?" Mrs. Hampton asked somewhat surprised, for John seldom
went to the quarry, and she could not imagine what business could take
him there now.

"Yes, I must go at once. I shall tell you all about it later."

"But you must have some supper first, dear. J