.... It is for your own sake. You are sixteen ... But,
of course, the--child--has changed your life."

"It ain't changed my lovin' you!"

This was the first open confession of her love. She made it
emphatically, almost sullenly. Frederick whitened, and turned his face
away. In the terror of the thought that she would lose him again, Tess
sank upon her knees beside him. This time he did not thrust her aside.
The strong young hands pressed upon his shoulders, and the sensitive
chin trembled. Tess turned her face up to his.

"Don't!" he breathed hard. "Don't, Tess!"

But the girl heeded him not. Of a sudden, Frederick raised his eyes and
looked directly into hers. The jealousy that had risen tiger-like in his
breast, forcing him from her, and demanding that he should never look
upon her face again, yielded precedence to a nobler and stronger
thought. He would help the girl with her living secret--help her, and
make her better. Long and fixedly he studied the beautiful face, until
he had read to the finish the tale of passion and longing. The auburn
head bent nearer and nearer, the panting lips imparting the sweet breath
of youth. Then they both forgot the whistling wind and the falling rain
... forgot even the wriggling, fire-branded babe in its bed.

Frederick's lips closed down upon the girl's, and the dark hair of the
student mingled with the red curls of the squatter.

"I shall never let you go again," murmured Frederick, his lips roving in
sweet freedom over the flushed cheeks.

"And I ain't a-goin' ter let yer go, nuther," whispered Tess. "I works,
fishes and berries the years through--but I air yer squatter."

The child, as if in pain, cried sharply. The student's arms slipped
limply from Tessibel, and he stood up.

"I had forgotten it for a moment, Tess. The infant has changed your life
and mine.... I have loved you dearly--I love you still. But the child is
between us, and always will be ... I must remember it.... Ah! I have
forgotten one thing I came for. Here!"

He was holding a small Bible out to her.

"In my temper I burned yours. I'm sorry. I was bringing you this when I
heard you cry."

Tess took the book in her hand mechanically, and the hope rekindled in
her heart died. Frederick bent over her for one short moment, looking
into her eyes.

"Forgive me if you can, Tess--and--and be a good girl!"

He opened the door, and was gone before she could stop him. With
chattering teeth, she flung her