The discovery of the shortage in her bank account made Mrs. Vernon very nervous, and for two nights the lady slept but little.

Robert noticed the change in her condition, and pitied her greatly.

"It\'s a shame that Frederic Vernon can\'t turn over a new leaf," he thought. "But I am afraid that it isn\'t in him."

On the day that Mrs. Vernon expected a reply to her cablegram she felt worse than ever, and Robert suggested that they take a drive together.

"We can go along the river road, and then along the cliffs," he said. "I am certain the morning air will do you good, for it promises to be very clear."

"Very well, Robert. I will go with you, and you can get a team without delay," she answered.

"And shall I drive?"

"If you want to."

Mrs. Vernon spoke thus, for Robert had taken her out a number of times and had always proved a very careful and reliable driver.

In a few minutes Robert was on his way to the livery stable. He met Frederic Vernon on the street, bound for his aunt\'s boarding place.

"Hullo, Frost, how is my aunt to-day?" cried the young man.

"Not so well, Mr. Vernon."

"That\'s too bad. What seems to be the trouble?"

"She can\'t sleep nights, so she says."

As Robert spoke he looked sharply at the fellow, but Vernon did not change color.

"You ought to take her out for a drive," said the young man.

"That is just what I am going to do."

"Indeed! This morning?"

"Yes, just as soon as I can get a team and a carriage."

"Good for you. I would take her out myself but somehow I never made a fist at driving."

"That is strange. I thought all young men in your station of life liked to drive."

"Well--er--the trouble is, I was scared by a horse when I was a little boy. I\'ve never liked horseflesh since."

"I see. Well, I have never yet seen the team I was afraid of," answered Robert, telling the exact truth.

"Is that so? Well, your time may come."

There was a significance in Frederic Vernon\'s words which was lost upon our hero.

"Where are you going to drive?" went on the spendthrift.

"Along the river road first, and then along the cliffs."

And with these words Robert passed on. He was afraid that if he stopped to talk longer Frederic Vernon might invite himself to go along, and he was quite certain the ride would do Mrs. Vernon no good were such the case.

Watching his opportunity, Vernon followed our hero and saw Robert hire a team of white and gray horses, and have them hooked up to a light road carriage.

Then he hurried to his boarding house with a peculiar smile on his evil face.

"I can see that team coming a long way off," he said to himself. "And I won\'t make any mistake."

With quite a little flourish Robert drove around to Mrs. Cabe\'s boarding place, and tied up at the block. Soon Mrs. Vernon came out, and he handed her to a seat.

"I met your nephew when I went to the livery stable," he observed, as he drove away. "Did he come in?"

"No," answered Mrs. Vernon. "Where was he going?"

"I thought he was coming to see you."

"Did he want to know if I was going out?"

"He suggested I take you for a drive, after I told him you were not very well again."

"I wonder he never offers to take me driving," mused the lady.

"He said he didn\'t like to drive--that he was afraid of horses."

"What, Frederic? Why, he used to own a very fast horse and go out driving in Lincoln Park at home nearly every day."

"He told me he had been frightened when a boy by a horse, and had never cared for horseflesh since."

"That is not true, Robert. How queer that he should tell such a falsehood. Do you suppose he did it just to get out of driving me?"

"I don\'t know what to think, Mrs. Vernon. On the whole, I think your nephew is a very peculiar young man."

"It\'s too bad." Mrs. Vernon gave a deep sigh. "And he is the only near relative I have!"

Fearful that the drive would do the lady small good if they continued to talk about Frederic Vernon, Robert changed the subject, and so skillfully did he manage it that presently Mrs. Vernon grew quite cheerful. Down a............