We are compelled for a time to leave our hero inthe hands of his enemies, and return to the town ofCrawford, where an event has occurred which influencesseriously the happiness and position of hissister, Grace.

　　Ever since Frank left the town, Grace had been awelcome member of Mr. Pomeroy's family, receivingthe kindest treatment from all, so that she had cometo feel very much at home.

　　So they lived happily together, till one disastrousnight a fire broke out, which consumed the house,and they were forced to snatch their clothes and escape,saving nothing else.

　　Mr. Pomeroy's house was insured for two-thirdsof its value, and he proposed to rebuild immediately,but it would be three months at least before the newhouse would be completed. In the interim, he succeededin hiring a couple of rooms for his family,but their narrow accommodations would oblige themto dispense with their boarder. Sorry as Mr. andMrs. Pomeroy were to part with her, it was obviousthat Grace must find another home.

　　``We must let Frank know,'' said Mr. Pomeroy,and having occasion to go up to the city at once tosee about insurance, he went to the store of Gilbert& Mack, and inquired for Prank.

　　``Fowler? What was he?'' was asked.

　　``A cash-boy.''

　　``Oh, he is no longer here. Mr. Gilbert dischargedhim.''

　　``Do you know why he was discharged?'' askedMr. Pomeroy, pained and startled.

　　``No; but there stands Mr. Gilbert. He can tellyou.''

　　Mr. Pomeroy introduced himself to the head ofthe firm and repeated his inquiry.

　　``If you are a friend of the lad,'' said Mr. Gilbert,``you will be sorry to learn that he was charged withdishonesty. It was a very respectable lady whomade the charge. It is only fair to say that the boydenied it, and that, personally, we found him faithfuland trusty. But as the dullness of trade compelledus to discharge some of our cash-boys, wenaturally discharged him among the number, without,however, judging his case.''

　　``Then, sir, you have treated the boy very unfairly.

　　On the strength of a charge not proved, you havedismissed him, though personally you had noticednothing out of the way in him, and rendered itimpossible for him to obtain another place.''

　　``There is something in what you say, I admit.

　　Perhaps I was too hasty. If you will send the boyto me, I will take him back on probation.''

　　``Thank you, sir,'' said Mr. Pomeroy, gratefully``I will send him here.''

　　But this Mr. Pomeroy was unable to do. He didnot know of Frank's new address, and though hewas still in the city, he failed to find him.

　　He returned to Crawford and communicated theunsatisfactory intelligence. He tried to obtain a newboarding place for Grace, but no one was willing totake her at two dollars a week, especially when Mr.

　　Pomeroy was compelled to admit that Frank wasnow out of employment, and it was doubtful if hewould be able to keep up the payment.

　　Tom Pinkerton managed to learn that Grace wasnow without a home, and mentioned it to his father.

　　``Won't she have to go to the poorhouse now,father?'' he asked eagerly.

　　``Yes,'' said Deacon Pinkerton. ``There is no otherplace for her that I can see.''

　　``Ah, I'm glad,'' said Tom, maliciously. ``Won'tthat upstart's pride be taken down? He was tooproud to go to the poorhouse, where he belonged,but he can't help his sister's going there. If he isn'ta pauper himself, he'll be the brother of a pauper,and that's the next thing to it.''

　　``That is true,'' said the deacon. ``He was veryimpudent in return for my kindness. Still, I amsorry for him.''

　　I am afraid the deacon's sorrow was not verydeep, for he certainly looked unusually cheerful whenhe harnessed up his horse and drove around to thetemporary home of the Pomeroys.

　　``Good-morning, Mr. Pomeroy,'' he said, seeing thelatter in the yard. ``You've met with a severe loss.''

　　``Yes, deacon; it is a severe loss to a poor manlike me.''

　　``To be sure. Well, I've called around to relieveyou of a part of your cares. I am going to takeGrace Fowler to the poorhouse.''

　　``Couldn't you get her a place with a privatefamily to help about the house in return for her board,while she goes to school?''

　　``There's nobody wants a young girl like her,'' saidthe deacon.

　　``Her brother would pay part of her board--thatis, when he has a place.''

　　``Hasn't he got a place?'' asked the deacon,pricking up his e............