y had never started this telegraphic
company, they might have struggled through the winter, but now there
were stockholders and creditors and she did not know what all. She only
knew that it was too much for them.

Three days after this, Harry received a note from Mr. Martin. When he
read it, he gave a shout that brought everybody out of the house--Kate
first. When she read the note, which she took from Harry as he was
waving it around his head, she stood bewildered. She could not
comprehend it.

And yet it simply contained a proposition from the Mica Mine Company to
buy the Crooked Creek Telegraph Line, with all its rights and
privileges, assuming all debts and liabilities, and to pay therefor the
sum of three hundred and fifty dollars in cash!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two days afterward, the line was formally sold to the Mica Company, and
the Crooked Creek Telegraph Company came to an end.

When accounts were settled, Aunt Matilda's share of the proceeds of the
sale were found to amount to two hundred and sixty-two dollars and fifty
cents, which Kate deposited with Mr. Darby for safe keeping.

It was only the sky that now looked blue to Harry and Kate.

The Akeville people were a good deal surprised at this apparently
singular transaction on the part of the Mica Company, but before long,
their reasons for helping the boys to put up their line and then buying
it, became plain enough.

The Mica Company had invested a large capital in mines and lands, and
the business required telegraphic communication with the North. The
managers knew that they might have a good deal of trouble to get
permission to put up their line on the lands between the mines and
Hetertown, and so they wisely helped the boys to put up the line, and
then bought it of them, with all their rights and privileges.

There was probably some sharp practice in this transaction, but our
young friends and Aunt Matilda profited by it.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

A MEETING.

About a week after the dissolution of the Crooked Creek Company, Harry
was riding over from Hetertown, and had nearly reached the creek on his
way home, when he met George Purvis.

This was their first meeting since their fight, for George had been away
on a visit to some relatives in Richmond.

When Harry saw George riding slowly toward him, he felt very much
embarrassed, and very much annoyed because he was embarrassed.

Ho