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“Eat it slow and it’ll last you a long time, me dear. I always carry a few sweeties in my pocket for the childher; but mayhap ’twould do no harm were you to have the other bit, seein’s you was so good as to help an old body.”

So saying, and with a smile that softened the rugged old face, Barney’s mother carefully deposited the second half of the mint on Jessica’s knee.

“Thank you. It is very nice,” said the girl, smiling herself at thought of Ned’s disgust in being offered but one piece of candy, and that with such an air of generosity.

“You’re a fair lookin’ little maid, me dear, an’ what might your name be?”

“Jessica Trent.”

“And your home, lassie? Where’s that at?” queried this stranger with friendly curiosity. “And be you, too, travelin’ by your lone in these steam cars? Why for and where to? Sure, if so be, and our roads lie together a bit we might bear one another company. ’Twould do me old heart good to keep your bonny face alongside till the pain of this partin’ from Barney eases up a trifle. A good lad, is he, and forehanded enough, Heaven prosper him! Free with the gold to pay the toll of my journey—Whisht, alanna! I’ve five hundred dollars sewed in me petticoat! Mind that, Jessica Trent, and mintion it to none!”