me in making his call.

"Frank," said his mother, as he entered the house, "I want you to go
down to the store some time this forenoon, and get me half a dozen
pounds of sugar."

"Very well, mother, I'll go now. I suppose it won't make any difference
if I don't come back for an hour or two."

"No, that will be in time."

Mrs. Frost did not ask Frank where he was going. She had perfect faith
in him, and felt sure that he would never become involved in anything
discreditable.

Frank passed through the village without stopping at the store. He
deferred his mother's errand until his return. Passing up the village
street, he stopped before the fine house of Squire Haynes. Opening the
gate he walked up the graveled path and rang the bell.

A servant-girl came to the door.

"Is Squire Haynes at home?" inquired Frank.

"Yes, but he's eating breakfast."

"Will he be through soon?"

"Shure and I think so."

"Then I will step in and wait for him."

"Who shall I say it is?"

"Frank Frost."

Squire Haynes had just passed his cup for coffee when Bridget entered
and reported that Frank Frost was in the drawing-room and would like to
see him when he had finished his breakfast.

"Frank Frost!" repeated the squire, arching his eyebrows. "What does he
want, I wonder?"

"Shure he didn't say," said Bridget.

"Very well."

"He is captain of the boys' company, John, isn't he?" asked the squire.

"Yes," said John sulkily. "I wish him joy of his office. I wouldn't have
anything to do with such a crowd of ragamuffins."

Of course the reader understands that this was "sour grapes" on John's
part.

Finishing his breakfast leisurely, Squire Haynes went into the room
where Frank was sitting patiently awaiting him.

Frank rose as he entered.

"Good morning, Squire Haynes," he said, politely rising as he spoke.

"Good morning," said the squire coldly. "You are an early visitor."

If this was intended for a rebuff, Frank did not choose to take any
notice of it.

"I call on a little matter of business, Squire Haynes," continued Frank.

"Very well," said the squire, seating himself in a luxurious armchair,
"I am ready to attend to you."

"I believe you hold a mortgage on our farm."

Squire Haynes started. The thought of Frank's real business had not
occurred to him. He had hoped that nothing would have been said in
relation to the mortgage until he was at liberty to foreclose, as he
wished to take the Frosts unprep