l expect to be overwhelmed. And, meantime, while
we're waiting, we might as well explain to you the business which has
brought us up here."

His face showed him to be the bearer of good news. He rose, excitedly,
and went to Frank, to put his hand upon his shoulder. "Now, my boy, keep
cool, keep cool! I tell you, Frank, it's the biggest thing out. It'll
make a millionaire of you as sure as Fate before the next five years
have passed!"

Layson was taken wholly by surprise. No one had in the least prepared
him for anything of this sort. He had supposed the party had come up to
see him merely for the pleasure of the trip. "I don't understand," said
he.

"Keep cool, keep cool!" the Colonel urged. "It is colossal,
metaphorically. You see, I was over there in Europe, promoting a South
American mine, when I happened to see in a Kentucky paper that the
Georgetown Midland was to be put through these mountains near the land
your father bought. That land, my boy, is rich in coal and iron!"

The young man's face shone with delight. "He always said so!" he
exclaimed. "I meant, sometime, to investigate."

"I've saved you the trouble. I came back on the next steamer, organized
a syndicate in New York City, sent an expert out to carefully look into
things, and, on his report, a company is willing to put in a $200,000
plant to develop your land. All you've got to do is to take $25,000
worth of stock and let your coal-land stand for as much more."

The youth's face fell. "Twenty-five thousand dollars!" he exclaimed.
"Why, Colonel, I have not one fifth of it!"

"Ah," said the Colonel, smiling, "but here, like a good angel, comes in
your dear Aunt 'Lethe!" He smiled at her. "Isn't it so, Miss 'Lethe?"

Frank spoke up quickly. "Surely," he exclaimed to her as she advanced
toward him, with smiles, "you know I'd never take your money!"

"You must, Frank," she insisted. "The Colonel says it is the chance of a
lifetime."

"Why, Auntie, it's your whole fortune. I wouldn't risk it."

"But you could pay it all back in a month."

"How?" he asked, not understanding in the least.

"By selling Queen Bess."

He flinched. The thought had not occurred to him. "Sell Queen Bess!"
said he. "The prettiest, the fastest mare in all Kentucky! Never!"

"My boy," said the Colonel, "the odds are far too heavy--a million
against the mare. You can't stand 'em."

"Oh, Frank," said his Aunt, impulsively, "if you'll only take the money
and give up ra