Jack took it, and opening it, glanced at the contents.  Then, with a cry of “Eureka!” he began a sort of pirouette, while Eloise and Mr. Mason wondered if he, too, had gone quar, like the Harrises.

“It’s the marriage certificate,” he said, sobering down at last, and reading aloud that at the Hardy Plantation, Fulton County, Georgia, on December—­, 18—­, the Rev. John Covil united in marriage James Crompton, of Troutburg, Massachusetts, and Miss Eudora Harris, of Volucia County, Florida.

Upon no one did the finding of this certificate produce so miraculous an effect as upon Jake.

“Fo’ de Lawd!” he exclaimed, “I feels as if I mus’ have de pow’,—­what I hain’t had since I jined de ‘Piscopals.  To think dat ar was lyin’ in thar all dis time, an’ I not know it.  I ’members now dat Elder Covil comed hyar oncet after the lil chile was bawn, to see Miss Dory, an’ I seen him write a paper an’ give it to her, an’ she put it in her bosom.  I axed no questions, but I know now ’twas this.  The Cunnel tole her not to tell, an’ if she said she wouldn’t, she wouldn’t.  Dat’s like de Harrises,—­dey’s mighty quar, stickin’ to dar word till they die like that Cassy-by-anker on de burnin’ ship.  Glory to God, glory!  I mus’ shout, I mus’ hurrah.  Glory!”

He went careering round the room like one mad, knocking over a chair, waking up Amy, and bringing her to the scene of action.

“Bress de Lawd!” he said, taking her by the arm and giving her a whirl, “we’ve done foun’ your mudder’s stifficut in de letters whar she put it an’ tied ’em wid her weddin’ ribbon.  Glory hollerluyer!”

Amy looked frightened, and when Eloise explained to her she did not seem as much impressed as the others.  Her mind had grasped Jake and the old home, and could not then take in much more.  Still, in a way she understood, and when Eloise said to her, “Col.  Crompton was really your father,—­married to your mother,—­and you were Amy Crompton, and not Harris,” she said, “I am glad, and wish he knew.  He used to taunt me with my low birth and call me a Cracker.  When are we going home?”

Her mind had reverted at once to Crompton Place, now hers in reality, although she probably did not think of that.

“I am very glad, and congratulate you that Crompton Place is your home without a doubt,” Jack said to her.  Then, turning to Eloise, he continued, in a low tone, “I can’t tell you how glad I am for you, provided you don’t feel so high and mighty that you want to cast me off.”

“Oh, Jack,” Eloise replied, “don’t talk such nonsense.  I am still of the Harris blood and part Cracker, and maybe quar.  If you can stand that I think I can stand you.”

At this point there was the sound of hurrying feet outside, and a woman’s voice was heard saying, “Now, mind your manners, or you’ll cotch it.”  Then four woolly heads were thrust in at the door and with them was Mandy Ann.

“Hyar she comes wid de fo’ twins,” Jake said, going forward to meet her.  “Mandy Ann,” he began, “hyar’s de lil chile Dory.  Miss Amy they done call her.  Would you know’d her?”