being
able to pay you to-morrow. May I inquire what course you propose to
take?"

"It will be my painful duty to foreclose the mortgage."

"Squire Haynes," said Frank boldly, "haven't you intended to foreclose
the mortgage all along? Hadn't you decided about it when I called upon
you ten days ago?"

"What do you mean by your impertinence, sir?" demanded the squire,
giving vent to his anger.

"Just what I say. I believe you bear a grudge against my father, and
only put me off the other day in order to prevent my being able to
meet your demands to-morrow. What do you suppose we can do in less than
twenty-four hours?"

"Madam!" said the squire, purple with rage, "do you permit your son to
insult me in this manner?"

"I leave it to your conscience, Squire Haynes, whether his charges are
not deserved. I do not like to think ill of any man, but your course is
very suspicious."

"Madam," said Squire Haynes, now thoroughly enraged, "you are a woman,
and can say what you please; but as for this young rascal, I'll beat him
within an inch of his life if I ever catch him out of your presence."

"He is under the protection of the laws," said Mrs. Frost composedly,
"which you, being a lawyer, ought to understand."

"I'll have no mercy on you. I'll sell you up root and branch," said
Squire Haynes, trembling with passion, and smiting the floor with his
cane.

"At all events the house is ours to-day," returned Mrs. Frost, with
dignity, "and I must request you to leave us in quiet possession of it."

The squire left the house in undignified haste, muttering threats as he
went.

"Good, mother!" exclaimed Frank admiringly. "You turned him out
capitally. But," he added, an expression of dismay stealing over his
face, "what shall we do?"

"We must try to obtain a loan," said Mrs. Frost, "I will go and see Mr.
Sanger, while you go to Mr. Perry. Possibly they may help us. There is
no time to be lost."

An hour afterward Frank and his mother returned, both disappointed.
Mr. Sanger and Mr. Perry both had the will to help but not the ability.
There seemed no hope left save in Mr. Morton. At six o'clock the stage
rolled up to the gate.

"Thank Heaven! Mr. Morton has come!" exclaimed Frank eagerly.

Mr. Morton got out of the stage, and with him a feeble old man, or
such he seemed, whom the young man assisted to alight. They came up the
gravel walk together.

"How do you do, Frank?" he said, with a cheerful smile.

"We are