nd drawing a written sheet from his
pocket.

Miss Lavinia opened the document, read it through, went to the table,
took a fountain pen from her reticule, signed the paper, returned it
to Andy.

"I'm dreaming! it's a plot of some kind!" murmured Andy, lost in
wonderment.

Miss Lavinia took out her pocket-book.

"Andy Wildwood," she said, her harsh features as mask-like as ever,
"here are ten dollars. It is the last cent I will ever give you. When
you leave here you sever all ties between us. I have only one
stipulation to make. You will not disgrace me by having anything to do
with anybody in Fairview."

"That's all right," said Andy. "I'll agree, except that I've got to
write to Mr. Graham on business."

"What business?"

Andy explained in full. If he had been more versed in the wiles of the
world, less astonished at his aunt's strange compliance with his dearest
wishes, he would have noticed a keen suspiciousness in the glance with
which she continually regarded him.

"I must insist that you do not write even to Graham," she remarked.
"About what you owe--I will pay that. Yes, I'll start you out clear. You
won't write to Graham?"

"No," said Andy slowly--"if you insist on it."

"I will settle the five dollars you owe Graham," promised Miss Lavinia,
"I will pay the bill of damages at the school and to Farmer Dale, and
send you the receipts. Does that suit you?"

"Why--yes," answered Andy in a bewildered tone.

"You take that pen and a sheet of paper. Write an order on Graham to
deliver to me those old family mementos you pawned to him. Also, give me
your address for a few weeks ahead."

Andy did this.

"And now, good night and good-bye," spoke his aunt. "I hope you'll some
day see the error of your ways, Andy Wildwood."

Miss Lavinia did not offer to shake hands with Andy. She nodded towards
the door to dismiss him, as she would have done to a perfect stranger.

"Good-bye, Aunt Lavinia," said Andy. "You're thinking a little hard of
me. But you've done a big thing in signing that paper, and I'll never do
anything to make you ashamed of me. Ginger! am I afoot or horseback?
Permission to join the show! Ten dollars! Oh my head is just whirling!"

These last sentences Andy tittered in a vivid gasp as he went down the
stairs and once more reached the outer air.

He hurried from the vicinity, fearful that his aunt might change her
mind and call him back.

"I don't understand it," he mused. "I can't fi