because
it would generally be supposed so.

For himself, he doubted the genuineness of the will, but he felt that it
was useless to speak of it, as he was unprepared with any proofs.

So it happened that when, on Wednesday afternoon Mark Manning made his
appearance, Frank's change of position, as respected the property, was
neither known nor suspected by his schoolfellows. It was soon known,
however, and of course, through Mark.

The boys immediately noticed a change in Mark. He assumed an air of
consequence, and actually strutted across the campus. Instead of being
polite and attentive to Frank, he passed him with a careless nod, such
as a superior might bestow on an inferior.

"What has come over Mark?" asked Herbert of Frank, as the two were
walking together from recitation.

"How do you mean?"

"He holds his head higher than he used to do. He looks as if he had been
elected to some important office."

"You will soon learn, Herbert," said Frank. "Make a pretext to join him,
and let the news come from him."

Herbert looked puzzled.

"Do you wish me to do this?" he asked.

"Yes, I have a reason for it."

"Very well. I am always ready to oblige you, Frank, but I hope Mark
won't think I have suddenly formed a liking for his society."

"If he does, you can soon undeceive him."

"That is true."

Herbert left the side of his friend, and sauntered toward Mark.

As Herbert was known as Frank's especial friend, Mark was at first
surprised, but quickly decided that his improved position had been
communicated by Frank, and that Herbert was influenced by it. That is to
say, he judged Herbert to be as mean and mercenary as himself.

Herbert's position was too humble to entitle him to much notice from
Mark, but the latter was pleased with the prospect of detaching from
Frank his favorite friend.

"You came back rather late, Mark," said Herbert.

"Yes," answered Mark, with an air of importance. "I remained at home a
short time, to help my father in his accounts. You know the property is
large, and there is a good deal to do."

"I should think that was Frank's place, to help about the accounts."

"Why?"

"The property is his, of course!"

"Did he tell you that?" asked Mark, sharply.

"He has not said a word about the property."

"No, I suppose not," said Mark, with a sneering laugh.

"Has anything happened? Didn't his mother leave as much as was
expected?" went on Herbert, quite in the dark.

"Yes,