mourning for me I would feel badly. But they treated me so cruelly in
trying to force me to marry the man I hate, that I do not care how they
feel."

"But suppose they find out where you are and compel you to go home?"

"They may find me, but they cannot make me go back. I have tasted the
joy of freedom from their rule, and shall henceforth think and act for
myself. You may consider me ungrateful, but if you knew what my life
has been like you would not blame me."

They had reached the border of a grove of small trees, and here in an
old fence wild flowers flourished in abundance and ran riot over the
moss-covered poles. Jess stooped, picked a wild rose, and inhaled its
sweet fragrance. John, watching, thought he had never beheld a more
perfect picture of beauty, grace and maidenly charm. His soul thrilled
within him, and moving impulsively forward, he took the rose from her
hand, and placed it gently in her hair. He smiled as he stepped back
to view the effect.

"Excuse me," he apologised, "but I could not help it. That is the
place for the rose; it makes you look great."

Then he caught her by the hand and led her down the narrow path which
led to the water. Nearby stood a large tree, with great outspreading
branches, and under this they stopped, John's heart was beating fast,
while the girl's face almost equalled the rose in colour. The world
and its cares were forgotten as they stood there on that bright summer
afternoon. They were living in a world of their own, for love had cast
its mystic charm over their young lives.

"Why need you leave this place?" John suddenly asked. "Why not stay
here always? I want you, and must have you? Would you not be happy
here with me?"

He was still holding her hand, which he now pressed more firmly than
ever. How he longed to take the girl in his arms, and imprint a kiss
upon her rosy lips. He wanted to confess to her his great love, and to
hear her tell of hers. But she did not at once reply. Her face, from
which some of the colour had fled, was turned toward the river, and her
hand trembled.

"Don't you know that I love you?" John impetuously insisted. "Can't
you feel it in my every word and act? I love you as I never believed
it possible to love any woman."

Then Jess looked into his eyes, and the expression the young man saw
there filled his heart with joy.

"You do love me," he cried, "and you will be mine. Oh, tell me so!"

"Yes, John, I do