Tess jubilantly cooked the fish for dinner, spattering the bacon fat upon the floor. She smiled alternately at her father and Professor Young; she caroled like a spring bird with bursts of happy song. Then they three sat down to the table to eat the homely squatter fare. A sickening longing swept over Deforest Young. To have the love of this girl he would be willing to live in the shanty--to eat just such food for the rest of his life. But during the few days past, he had fully realized that he could not make Tess love him. He would never speak of love to her again. Yet it pleased him to remain with them through the long afternoon, with Tess near him to watch the sun sink behind the western hill. He had drawn on his coat preparatory to leaving, and stood with Tessibel's hand in his. A sharp, quick knock on the door stayed his farewell. Orn Skinner lifted the latch, and Frederick Graves entered at the fisherman's bidding. His face was drawn and pale, his eyes red from weeping. Tessibel's heart bounded in sympathy, but she remained backed against the shanty wall until his eyes searched hers for a welcome. He spoke first. "My sister is dead," he said slowly, his voice breaking as the tears came into the dark eyes; "and my father sent you this." Daddy Skinner was seated blinkingly on his stool; Professor Young, hat in hand, waited for the girl to take the extended paper. But for several seconds she stood staring at Frederick, with wide-eyed wonderment. He had said that his beautiful sister was dead, that she had gone with the thin babe to her loved one, even as Myra Longman had gone with Ben Letts. To Tess it was but another answered prayer, showered from Heaven. She felt no thrill of grief; she was only glad that the pale, sick mother had had her wish. She took the paper awkwardly, and scanned it with painful embarrassment. "I can't read the writin'," she said, handing it back. "Will ye tell me what it says?" "Oh, I can't, I can't, Tessibel! I am so ashamed, so miserable!" Tess silently handed the paper to Professor Young; then she slipped forward and stood close to Frederick, rapidly considering his face with forgiving eyes. Young turned to the student. "Shall I?" An acquiescent nod gave him permission to lift the note and read: "Dear Child: My daughter is dead. Frederick will tell you. If you can forgive me for all I have done against you and your father, will you come here to us, and tell Mrs. Graves and myself of the past few weeks. Frederick has told me that he loves you, and of your sacrifice for Teola. I can only say at present that we thank you. Yours in grief and gratitude, Elias Graves. P. S.--When your father comes back, I shall ask you to give him the title of the ground upon which your house stands."