blueberry plains, it was Eben Tobin who received the unstinted praise of all, in so nobly rescuing the women from the island.  Every day anxious inquiries were made for the lad, and all were greatly pleased to learn of his steady improvement.  The doctor, however, reported that it would be months before he could fully recover from his serious burns, and that his face and body would be scarred for the rest of his life.

The city newspapers made much of the affair, and the day after the fire contained special articles, with big headlines.  The fact that Henry Randall, a leading citizen, was one of the chief actors, and that he was searching for his daughter who had taken refuge in the wilderness, created a sensation.  It was the first knowledge that the public had that the girl was not drowned, and every scrap of information was seized upon with avidity.  That it was a love-affair of no ordinary nature was quite apparent, and this added to the intense interest which prevailed.  Great credit was given to John Hampton and Eben Tobin for their part in the rescue, although it was hinted that the former was in a large measure responsible for the trouble.

Henry Randall made no comment about these newspaper articles when he was able to read them.  Had they appeared three weeks before he would have been very indignant, and would have angrily resented the intrusion into his family affairs.  But he had changed greatly since then.  His blustering, dominating manner had disappeared, and he would sit by the hour beneath the shade of the old tree, either gazing straight before him, or intently watching the birds, bees, and butterflies, which flitted and buzzed on all sides.  He spoke but seldom, and seemed to take very little interest in the world of business of which he had but recently taken such an active part.

Whether this change was due to weakness Jess could not tell.  That he did not once refer to her escapade and the trouble she had caused, surprised her not a little.  She waited upon him faithfully, at first almost day and night, and he seemed pleased to have her by his side.  But she feared lest when he recovered his former strength his old imperious manner would return.  She longed for him to remain the quiet, gentle, unassertive man that he now was.

Not until the second week after the fire did Mrs. Randall visit her husband.  She had wanted to come as soon as she learned of the accident, but owing to her nervous disposition the doctor ordered that she should stay at home.  She would only be in the way, and her presence would be bad for the patient, so he explained.  When finally she did come, she was very restless, and it was difficult to know what to do with her.  She became hysterical when she saw her husband lying so still and white, and she furiously upbraided Jess for her rebellion, and the trouble she had brought upon the family.  But after a few days she quieted down, took an interest in the family affairs, and seemed to enjoy being out in the open.  She became greatly attached to Mrs. Hampton, whose calmness and gentleness of manner won her affection.