"I am glad of it, Marion. I don't want you to give me up for St. John." "I do not intend to, Jack. But why are you looking so serious. Have you anything on your mind? I never saw you look so thoughtful before." "Yes, I have a lot on my mind, Marion. Come, I'll tell you when we are out on the bay." A rowboat was handy and oars were in the rack in the boathouse, and soon the pair were out on the water. Although but a boy, Jack took to the water naturally and handled the oars as skillfully as the average sailor. When they were about halfway across the bay he ceased rowing and looked earnestly at the girl before him. "Marion, I want to find out--that is, I've got some questions to ask," he blurted out. "I don't know how to go at it." "Why, what in the world is the matter, Jack? You were red a moment ago. Now you are as pale as a sheet." "I want to know about something awfully important." "I'm sure I cannot imagine what it is." "Marion, aren't we real sister and brother?" The question was out at last, and as he asked it his eyes dropped, for he had not the courage to look into her face. He felt her start and give a shiver. "Oh, Jack! what put that in your head," she said slowly. "Never mind that. Tell me, are we real sister and brother or not?" "Jack, we are not." "Oh, Marion!" The words almost choked him, and for the moment he could say no more. "We are not real sister and brother, Jack, but to me you will always be as a real brother," and Marion caught his hand and held it tightly. "And--and mother isn't my--my real mother?" he faltered. "No, Jack; she is only your foster mother. But she thinks just as much of you as if you were her real son. She has told me that over and over again." "You are sure of this?" "Yes, Jack." "Sure I am a--a nobody." His voice sunk to a mere whisper. "Yon are not a nobody, Jack. When you were a mere boy of three or four my father and mother adopted you, and you are now John Ruthven, my own brother," and she gave his brown hand another tight squeeze. He was too confused and bewildered to answer at once. The dreadful news was true, he was not really a Ruthven. He was a nobody--no, he must be _somebody_. But who was he? CHAPTER III. A MYSTERY OF THE PAST. "I do not know that I have done just right by telling you this," went on Marion. "Mother may not approve of it." "I am glad you told me. I was bound to find out about it, sooner or later." "That is true, Jack. But both mother and I dreaded that time. We were afraid you might turn from us. And we both love you so much!" "It is kind of you to say that, Marion." Jack's face flushed. "You couldn't be nicer if you were my real sister." "And mother loves you so much." "I know that, too--otherwise she wouldn't have taken me in as she did." "What put it in your head to ask me this to-day?" "Something St. John Ruthven said to Darcy Gilbert. St. John said I was an upstart, a nobody."