nd then more and
more grossly and openly--till poor Jacob, wearied out and heart-sick,
retired from Frank's service, and obtained work from Mr Abraham
Oliphant in his store at Adelaide.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

AN UNHAPPY SURPRISE.

The half-year's remittance came in due time, but Frank was quite unable
to pay the L100 loan. Ruin was now staring him in the face. Tradesmen
were clamorous, rent and wages were unpaid, and he was getting into a
state of despair, when, to his great and unspeakable joy, a letter
arrived one morning announcing that a legacy of L500, left him by an old
lady--his godmother--would be paid into his account at the Adelaide
Bank. Here was, indeed, a reprieve. In a transport of gratitude he
threw himself on his knees, and gave thanks to God for this unlooked-for
help. Then he lost not a moment, but rode at once into Adelaide, and
went first to the bank, where he ascertained that the money had been
paid in. Then he called on his creditors and discharged their bills.
And last of all he went to Hubert Oliphant and repaid the loan of the
L100, with the interest.

"Oh, Hubert," he said, "I can't tell you how thankful and grateful I
feel for this relief. I was getting into hopeless difficulties. I was
at my wits' end what to do. I felt like a miserable slave, just as if I
was walking in irons; and now I could do nothing but shout all the way
home, I feel so light and free!"

"I don't doubt it," said his friend. "But you were talking just now
about being thankful. Won't you let it be more than mere words? Won't
you show, dear Frank, that you really are grateful to God?"

"I have," replied the other. "I thanked God on my knees for his
goodness as soon as I got the letter."

"I'm truly rejoiced to hear it. And now, what do you mean to _do_?"

"To _do_? Why, what should I do?"

"Does not your own conscience tell you, Frank?"

"Ah, I suppose you mean, give up the drink altogether. Well, I intend
to do it--and at once too."

"And will you ask for strength where you know it can be found?"

"Yes," said Frank, grasping the other's hand warmly; "I promise you I
will."

"And what about the pledge?" pursued Hubert, with a loving, entreating
smile.

"Ah, that pledge! You can never let me rest about the pledge. I see
you're afraid to trust me."

"Dear Frank, is there not a cause? Can you trust yourself?"

"Yes I think I can this time--especially if I pray for help."

Hubert sigh