“Oh, I know everything.  But I guess you’re right, Eben.  Miss Randall will never marry Donaster.  He’s after her good and hard, though, so it’s up to you and me to help her.”

“In what way?”

“She and John Hampton are in love with each other, I understand.  Can’t we do something to keep Donaster away?  He’s a deep-dyed villain, that’s what he is, and we must not let him bother Miss Randall.  He thinks that I’m going to help him out.”

“How?” Eben hardly knew that he had asked the question.  He was thinking deeply, and wondering why he should help Grimsby.  Had not Miss Randall left him for Hampton?  The thought rankled in his soul.  Why should another have her when she was so much to him?  He was aroused by his companion.

“Say, lad, what’s the matter with you?  I’ve asked you two questions, and you seem to be stricken dumb.  What are you thinking about?  Not in love yourself, are you?”

Eben grinned sheepishly, and his face crimsoned a deeper hue than ever,

“What were ye askin’ me, Gabe?  Guess me mind must have been wanderin’.  It goes off sometimes an’ fergits to come back.  It’s bad havin’ a mind lake that, isn’t it?”

It certainly is, and a sure sign that a man’s in love, so I’ve been told.  Now, look here, Eben, are you in love with Miss Randall?  There, now, don’t get excited.  It’s only natural.  I was young once meself.”

“Why d’ye ask me that, Gabe?  What makes ye think I’m in love with her?”

“From your actions, boy.  And say, if you’re in love with Jess Randall, then by the jumping moon, I’m going to help you to get her.  I don’t care a rap for Donaster or anyone else.  I’ve known you ever since you were a kid, and I’ve a fancy for you, so there.”

Eben made no reply, but stood staring straight before him.  During the last few days a notable change had come over this awkward youth.  The influence of a deep passion had transformed him from boyhood to manhood, and he was now able to view things in a different light.  He did not want Donaster to have Jess Randall, so it was necessary for him to do all in his power to keep her out of his grasp.  As for himself he knew there was not the slightest hope that she could ever care for him.  And why should she?  He had only known her for a brief space of time, and why should such a girl feel any stirring of the heart for such a clown as himself.  He knew that he was tall, ungainly, roughly clad, and ignorant.  His hands clutched hard upon the wheel as he thought of all this, and an expression of determination overspread his face.  A vision of the girl, her beauty, the light in her eyes, and her gentle encouraging voice rose before him.  She had been kind to him, and had been interested in his drawings.  Between him and her there was a vast gulf, and he knew it.  But she had been kind to him.  That idea kept repeating itself over and over again in his mind.  What could he do to repay her?  “Keep Donaster from getting her,” came the answer.  Yes, but what else?  “Help her in her love for Hampton.”  But in what way?  Grimsby broke his reverie.