d fifty
dollars in the bank. He withdrew eighty dollars of this, and then
explaining to Mr. Crawford his reason for it, asked for time for a visit
home.

"Certainly, Andy," said the real estate agent. "Can I lend you any
money?"

"No, sir; I have enough."

As he could not leave till the next day, he telegraphed his father in
this way:

"Don't worry. I shall reach home to-morrow. ANDY"

CHAPTER XXVIII.

ANDY'S VISIT HOME.

When Andy stepped on the station platform at Arden, he looked about him
to see if any of his friends were in sight.

To his great satisfaction he saw Valentine Burns, who had come to escort
an aunt to the cars.

"Where did you drop from, Andy?" he asked, in surprise.

"From the city. I am going to stop over Sunday."

"Good! I am delighted to see you."

"And I to see you. You are my dearest friend--except Conrad."

Valentine smiled.

"Of course no one is so near to me as he. Well, what's the news?"

"The only news I know of comes from Conrad. I hope it isn't true."

"What did he say?"

"That your father couldn't pay the interest on the mortgage held by his
father, and was going to be turned out, though the squire might take
your two best cows and call it even."

"He seems to be a good friend of the family, doesn't he?" remarked Andy,
quietly.

"It isn't true, is it?"

"It is true that father hasn't money enough to pay the interest."

"What will happen, then?"

"You forget that he has a rich son," said Andy, with a smile.

"Can you help him out?"

"That is what I am here for."

"I am very glad to hear it," said Valentine, with an air of relief.
"Even if I didn't like your family, I wouldn't like to see Conrad
triumph over you."

"Come around this evening, Val. We shall have plenty to talk about."

"I will."

When Andy entered the farmhouse he received a warm welcome from his
mother, and a cordial grasp of the hand from his father, who was less
demonstrative. But there was an air of grave anxiety on the faces of
both.

"I am glad to see you, Andy," said Sterling Grant, "but I wish you had
come under more cheerful circumstances. We are in a good deal of
trouble."

"I have come to get you out of it."

"Can you?" asked the farmer, in surprise.

"Yes. How much have you got toward the interest?"

"Only twenty dollars."

"And the whole sum is--"

"Ninety dollars."

"I can give you the seventy dollars you require."

"Where did you get the money? H