Jess was the last person to fall in love.

Nor did she calculate what the results might be to John.

As yet, at any rate, she had no interest in Captain Niel--of course not.
And so things went on pleasantly enough to all concerned in this drama till one fine day when the storm-clouds began to gather.

John had been about the farm as usual till dinner time, after which he took his gun and told Jantje to saddle up his shooting pony.

He was standing on the verandah, waiting for the pony to appear, and by him was Bessie, looking particularly attractive in a white dress, when suddenly he caught sight of Frank Muller's great black horse, and upon it that gentleman himself, cantering up the avenue of blue gums.
"Hullo, Miss Bessie," he said, "here comes your friend." "Bother!" said Bessie, stamping her foot; and then, with a quick look, "Why do you call him my friend ?" "I imagine that he considers himself so, to judge from the number of times a week he comes to see you," John answered with a shrug.