Chapter 44

Janice stooped and kissed the two hands as they clasped each other, then, as her father entered the room, she sped to him, and throwing her arms about his neck, kissed him as well.

"Mr. Meredith," said Jack, tendering his hand a little doubtfully, "a bondservant of yours ran off while yet there was four years of service due to you. He is ready now to fulfil the bond, nor will he complain if you enforce the legal penalty of double time."

"'T is lucky for me, general," answered the squire, heartily, "that ye acknowledge my claim, for I take it that, my lass having sworn a new allegiance, I shall need a hold on you, if I am to retain any lien on her."

"Nay, Mr. Meredith," said Washington, "you need not fear that the new tie will efface the old one. We have ended the mother country's rule of us, but 't is probable her children will never cease to feel affection for the one who gave them being; and so you will find it with Miss Janice."

THE END