ur mother has provided wisely. You will
want for nothing, and you will be prepared for the responsibilities of
manhood under my auspices."

Mr. Manning's face assumed a look of self-complacence as he uttered
these last words.

"I have no blame to cast upon my dear mother," said Frank. "If she made
that will, she acted under a great mistake."

"What mistake, sir?"

"She failed to understand you."

"Do you mean to imply that I shall be false to my trust?"

"Not at present, sir. I don't wish to judge of you too hastily."

As the boy turned to go, he said. "I have nothing further to say, sir."

"But I have," said Mr. Manning.

"Very well, sir."

"I demand that you treat my son Mark with suitable respect, and forbear
to infringe upon his rights."

Frank looked up, and answered, with spirit: "I shall treat Mark as well
as he treats me, sir. Is that satisfactory?"

"I apprehend," said Mr. Manning, "that you may make some mistakes upon
that point."

"I will try not to do so, sir."

Frank left the room, and this time was not called back.

His stepfather looked after him, but his face expressed neither
friendliness nor satisfaction.

"That boy requires taming," he said to himself. "He is going to make
trouble. I must consider what I will do with him."

As Mr. Manning reviewed Frank's words, there was one thing which
especially disturbed him--the doubt expressed by his stepson as to his
mother's having actually made the will.

He saw that it would not do for him to go too far in his persecution of
Frank as it might drive the latter to consult a lawyer in regard to the
validity of the will by which he had been disinherited.

Frank rather gloomily made his way to the stable. As he reached it,
Richard Green came out.

"I'm sorry for you, Mr. Frank. But your mother was a saint. She was too
good to suspect the badness of others, Mr. Frank. She thought old
Manning was really all that he pretended to be, and that he would be as
kind to you as she was herself. When she was alive, he was always as
soft as--as silk."

"His manner has changed now," said Frank, gravely. "Excuse me, Richard,
for finding fault with you, but don't call him old Manning."

"Why not, Mr. Frank?"

"I have no liking for Mr. Manning--in fact, I dislike him--but he was
the husband of my mother, and I prefer to speak of him respectfully."

"I dare say you are right, Mr. Frank, but, all the same, he don't
deserve it. Is Mr. Mark to ride Aj