To his great satisfaction he saw Valentine Burns, who had come to escort an aunt to the cars.

 

"Where did you drop from, Andy?" he asked, in surprise.

 

"From the city. I am going to stop over Sunday."

 

"Good! I am delighted to see you."

 

"And I to see you. You are my dearest friend--except Conrad."

 

Valentine smiled.

 

"Of course no one is so near to me as he. Well, what's the news?"

 

"The only news I know of comes from Conrad. I hope it isn't true."

 

"What did he say?"

 

"That your father couldn't pay the interest on the mortgage held by his father, and was going to be turned out, though the squire might take your two best cows and call it even."

 

"He seems to be a good friend of the family, doesn't he?" remarked Andy, quietly.

 

"It isn't true, is it?"

 

"It is true that father hasn't money enough to pay the interest."

 

"What will happen, then?"

 

"You forget that he has a rich son," said Andy, with a smile.

 

"Can you help him out?"

 

"That is what I am here for."

 

"I am very glad to hear it," said Valentine, with an air of relief. "Even if I didn't like your family, I wouldn't like to see Conrad triumph over you."

 

"Come around this evening, Val. We shall have plenty to talk about."

 

"I will."

 

When Andy entered the farmhouse he received a warm welcome from his mother, and a cordial grasp of the hand from his father, who was less demonstrative. But there was an air of grave anxiety on the faces of both.

 

"I am glad to see you, Andy," said Sterling Grant, "but I wish you had come under more cheerful circumstances. We are in a good deal of trouble."

 

"I have come to get you out of it."

 

"Can you?" asked the farmer, in surprise.

 

"Yes. How much have you got toward the interest?"

 

"Only twenty dollars."

 

"And the whole sum is--"

 

"Ninety dollars."

 

"I can give you the seventy dollars you require."

 

"Where did you get the money? Have you borrowed it?"

 

"No. It belongs to me. I will explain later. Now I am hungry, and while mother is looking for some lunch for me we will talk about other matters."

 

"I am very much relieved, Andy. I will go and tell the squire I shall be able to meet the interest."

 

"Don't do it, father. We will leave him to suppose it will not be paid, and see what course he intends to pursue. Don't breathe a word to undeceive him."

 

"I will do as you say, Andy, though I don't know your object. Do you still like your place in New York?"

 

"Yes; I am learning the business fast, and have good hopes for the future. Mr. Crawford is an excellent man, and takes an interest in me."

 

"That is good. After all, things are brightening. When I got up this morning I felt about discouraged."

 

"I telegraphed you not to worry, father."

 

Meanwhile Mrs. Grant was preparing an appetizing lunch for her son. She knew just what he liked. When it was placed on the table, he did full justice to it.

 

"It tastes better than anything I get in the city, mother," he said.

 

"I didn't suppose our plain table would compare with city meals."

 

"They're not in it with you," said Andy. "I am only afraid I shall make myself sick by overeating."

 

Mrs. Grant was greatly pleased that Andy had not lost his taste for home fare.

 

"How you have grown, Andy!" she said. "And you are looking so well, too! Do you have to work very hard?"

 

"Hard work agrees with me, mother. No; I don't hurt myself."

 

"I wish I could be here when the squire comes for the interest," Andy said, later.

 

"He will call this evening. You will see him," said Sterli............