naturally
concluded that they were in search of her. Perhaps there was a
suspicion abroad that she had taken refuge on the "Eb and Flo," and had
not drowned herself. She said nothing, however, about her fears, but
listened to Mrs. Tobin as she enlarged upon the danger through which
her son had passed.

All through the afternoon the captain kept a close watch upon the
river. He felt sure that Eben would bring the boat back that day. His
foot was not giving him so much trouble, and he longed to be up and
doing. But his wife and daughter would not allow him to leave the
sofa, notwithstanding his vigorous protests.

"I must git around, Martha," he said after a special rebuke by his wife
for his lack of patience. "Me foot needs to be moved, or it'll be
stiff to the end of me days."

"Don't you worry about that, Sam'l. A sprain needs rest, and you're
going to stay right where you are."

The captain sighed as he tried to possess his soul in patience. But
the time dragged heavily, and the "Eb and Flo" was nowhere in sight.

Supper was almost ready when Flo, happening to glance out of the
window, gave a cry of joy.

"The boat's coming now, daddy!" she announced. "I'm sure it's the 'Eb
and Flo.'"

"Is thar a big patch in the sail?" her father asked.

"Yes, I can see it quite plainly."

"Then it's her, Flo. Thank the Lord Eben's come at last. He's a great
boy, that. Guess he'll amount to something after all. Ye'd better cut
an extry slice of that ham, fer Eben'll have an appetite like a bear
when he gits home."

CHAPTER XX

MRS. GRIMSBY'S MISSION

Mrs. Hampton had not the slightest doubt but that Jess Randall was her
own daughter. It seemed like a strange dream at first from which she
would suddenly awaken. The girl was all that she had imagined her
daughter would be when grown up. How she longed to take her in her
arms and claim her as her own! But, no, she must not do that now.
What would Jess and John think of her? Would they not despise her for
what she had done? It was almost beyond belief that a mother would
sell her child for money.

No sleep came to Mrs. Hampton's eyes during the rest of the night, and
when Jess was comfortably in bed and asleep the restless woman paced up
and down her own room, racked with conflicting emotions. What should
she do? she asked herself over and over again. She knew now that the
girl had run away from home, and should she send her back? But how
c