Henry Randall. He was a determined man, she was well
aware, and he would exert every effort, and spend money without stint
to get control of the girl he believed to be his daughter. She felt
that affairs were nearing a crisis now. But she would fight, and, if
necessary, divulge the story of her own wretched sin. It would be a
startling revelation to the two young people, she was certain, but she
fondly cherished the hope that they would readily forgive her for her
dark deed of the past.

"Do you think John will come back early?" Jess asked, as she came and
sat down by Mrs. Hampton's side.

"He will return just as soon as he can, you may depend upon that," Mrs.
Hampton smilingly replied. "I hope he won't neglect his work to get
here."

"And will he go home every day?"

"He will have to, so long as we remain here."

"Why can't we stay here all the time?" Jess impulsively asked.

"How could we live, dear?" and Mrs. Hampton looked fondly upon the
girl's animated face. "You have never worked for a living, so have no
idea what it means. If we stay here long without caring for the place,
we shall all starve, and that would be worse than going back to
your--your parents, would it not?"

"But it is so nice here, and I am very happy." Jess gave a sigh of
contentment, and looked out over the water. "I wish we had a boat,"
she continued, "so we could go for a row. The lake is like a mirror,
and how wonderfully the trees are reflected in the clear depths. It is
all like pictures I have seen."

This conversation took place as the two remained by the landing after
watching John disappear among the trees on the opposite shore. At
length they went back to the house, and busied themselves with washing
the breakfast dishes, and tidying up the rooms. When this was at last
finished, they again went out of doors, and strolled along the shore on
the other side of the island. From here Mrs. Hampton pointed out the
mine on the mainland, partly concealed among the trees.

"My husband spent much of his time here," she explained, "and hoped
that some day the mine would be properly worked. But there doesn't
seem to be much chance now of anything being done. The place is
becoming overrun with bushes, so John says."

"Is there plenty of coal?" the girl asked, as she looked across the
water.

"I understand there is. My husband told me that there is an abundance,
and I always had confidence in his judgment. But many peo