Jess of the Rebel Trail

uched before the fire. She evidently had just come in out of the night, for she wore her out-of-door cloak, and her hair was somewhat tossed by the violence of the wind. The rich colour of her

is the matter?" she de

s she lifted her head. "I thought it was Maggie. I was n

e girl smilingly replied. "So you were l

o with it. But I am not feeling well to

garette lying upon the grate where Grimsby had thrown it. She also smelled the smoke of tobacco and instan

she cried, turning impulsively to the w

e no immediate answer. Her thoughts wer

here?" she at length as

me at all. Tom knows my opinion of him, and so he is not anxious to meet me. I did not think of Tom, though, until

e always bothering me about money, as if I haven't been givi

a girl, for I might be tempted to follow their miserable example.

d aside her wraps, and rang for the maid. Then she

she leaned back and gazed into the glowing c

come in, Jess? I have not

girl's face flushed, and there

I thought you were

that I wish to have nothing to do with that

rouching position. She sat upright, and the expre

of this nonsense. I have made up my mind that you a

o marry such a man as

why

him, and hate the

Burton is his only son, and he will inherit the estate, so you will be Lady Don

slight toss, and her fa

illing to barter your only daughter for such bau

upted the conversation for a few minutes. Jess pou

to have any tea?"

r any now, as I had s

were, eh? Why didn'

a woman who does things of some importance instead of spending her time upon a gidd

ld you talk about being up and doing? Haven't you everything tha

t ca

of course. To what

ht word to use. I wish to be of some benefit to the wor

ere any more. I have always known that she held peculiar views, but I

or myself. Mrs. Merton's views were mine even before I met her. For several years I have been dissatisfied w

trained for that, so wh

t me up to shine in society and nothing else. But I have youth on my

own living. And think what a disgrace it would be to have our only daughter working as a common girl. Imagine Je

ar better to earn one's own living than to be always depending upon o

you inten

nd I know that daddy will provide

p as mine that you are to marry Mr. Donaster. Don't you thin

u will consider me ungrateful for saying so, but

has come over you, Jess? I never knew you to talk like this befor

ut you would not let them, and spoiled their lives by giving them too much money to spend, and telling them that it was not dignified to work. And look what they are now; helpless to do anythi

her feet. The colour had fled from her face, and her hands were firml

e charged. "To think of your saying such things a

is about time for me to assert myself when you ar

gentleman, so you must not refer to him in su

thing but an unbearable cad, and with no more character than a jelly-fish. And to think of my

s. Randall gave a deep sigh of despair. "A daughter as

would almost imagine you are not my mother at all, you are so heart

he girl standing so defiantly before her. "Does she suspect anything?"

and headstrong. Your father will have to take you in hand. He will soon knock this nonsense out of your head. H

, as I shall tell daddy, that nothing on ear

" Mrs. Randall impatiently replied. "There is no such a thin

at, I should neve

don't

d I do

ou know ab

nk." The girl's face was now deeply

om you are interested besides Mr. Donaster? Tell me. I must kno

d she turned her face partl

not even interested,"

interested, for I love

truth, and so you can

dni

d hurried out of the room, leaving her m