as before. Of course we shall retain you as book-keeper, and
your salary will hereafter be one thousand dollars a year."

"I thank you, gentlemen. I am very grateful to you for your kindness
and consideration," I replied, satisfied that virtue is its own reward
even in this world.

"Beyond this, I am greatly indebted to you for your services to my
daughter."

"My cousin was very kind to me," said Marian, archly.

"Your cousin!"

"Yes, father; he is really my cousin."

"Pshaw! How can he be your cousin?"

"His name is Philip Farringford. His mother was your sister."

"Come, come; no more of this. We have had romance enough for one day,"
said the old gentleman. "I have been annoyed by letters from
Farringford in St. Louis, hinting at something of this kind."

"I am sorry the letters annoyed you, sir; but my father wrote only the
truth," I replied.

"Your father! Do you mean to assert that my miserable son-in-law is
your father?" added the old gentleman, savagely.

"I do, sir."

"But my daughter is not your mother?"

"Yes, sir; she is."

"That's enough. I don't want to hear another word about the matter; and
what's more, I will not."

"We can prove all that we assert, sir," I replied, firmly.

"Not another word about it. I want to believe that you are an honest
and honorable young man; but I can't do it if you attempt to maintain
such a gross imposture. It is ridiculous."

"I am very anxious that you should hear the story, sir. If you are not
satisfied with the evidence, you shall never be annoyed again
concerning it."

"I won't hear it," protested the senior Mr. Collingsby. "Did you come
here, and get a place in our firm, for the purpose of pushing this
imposition?"

"I desire to establish my birthright; but there was no conspiracy about
my coming."

"My son-in-law is a miserable toper. I never want to see or hear from
him again. He has brought disgrace and misery enough into my family. He
teased me for money till I was obliged to leave St. Louis, and now he
follows me here. Young man, whatever your name may be, I have a high
regard for you after what you have done, and we will use you well in
the future; but never mention this matter again. If you do, you shall
leave us. I say it, and I mean it."

Under the circumstances I could say no more. The time for proving my
claim evidently had not come. I made no promises in regard to the
forbidden topic; but I decided to wait for a more favorable op