When John Wade re-entered the library, Frankwas reading, but Mr. Wharton stopped him.

　　``That will do, Frank,'' he said. ``As I have notseen my nephew for a long time, I shall not requireyou to read any longer. You can go, if you like.''

　　Frank bowed, and bidding the two good-evening,left the room.

　　``That is an excellent boy, John.'' said the oldgentleman, as the door closed upon our hero.

　　``How did you fall in with him?'' asked John. Mr.

　　Wharton told the story with which the reader isalready familiar.

　　``You don't know anything of his antecedents, Isuppose?'' said John, carelessly.

　　``Only what he told me. His father and motherare dead, and he is obliged to support himself andhis sister. Did you notice anything familiar inFrank's expression?'' asked Mr. Wharton.

　　``I don't know. I didn't observe him very closely.''

　　``Whenever I look at Frank, I think of George. Isuppose that is why I have felt more closely drawnto the boy. I proposed to Mrs. Bradley that theboy should have a room here, but she did not favorit. I think she is prejudiced against him.''

　　``Probably she is afraid he would be some trouble,''

　　replied John.

　　``If George's boy had lived he would be aboutFrank's age. It would have been a great comfort tome to superintend his education, and watch himgrow up. I could not have wished him to be moregentlemanly or promising than my young reader.''

　　``Decidedly, that boy is in my way,'' said JohnWade to himself. ``I must manage to get rid of him,and that speedily, or my infatuated uncle will beadopting him.''

　　``Of what disease did George's boy die, John?''

　　asked Mr. Wharton.

　　``A sudden fever.''

　　``I wish I could have seen him before he died. ButI returned only to find both son and grandson gone.

　　I had only the sad satisfaction of seeing his grave.''

　　``Yes, he was buried in the family lot at Greenwood,five days before you reached home.''

　　``When I see men of my own age, surrounded bychildren and grandchildren, it makes me almostenvious,'' said Mr. Wharton, sadly. ``I declare to you,John, since that boy has been with me, I have felthappier and more cheerful than for years.''

　　``That boy again!'' muttered John to himself. ``Ibegin to hate the young cub, but I mustn't show it.

　　My first work will be to separate him from my uncle.

　　That will require consideration. I wonder whetherthe boy knows that he is not Fowler's son? I mustfind out. If he does, and should happen to mentionit in my uncle's presence, it might awaken suspicionsin his mind. I must interview the boy, andfind out what I can. To enlist his confidence, Imust assume a friendly manner.''

　　In furtherance of this determination, John Wadegreeted our hero very cordially the next evening,when they met, a little to Frank's surprise.

　　When the reading terminated, John Wade said,carelessly:

　　``I believe, uncle, I will go out for a walk. ............