y for the later crime.

As for Philip, he was so mortified and shamed by the exposure of his
dishonesty, and his attempt to fix the crime upon another, that he asked
his father to send him to a boarding school at a distance, and his
request was complied with.

Tom Calder was immediately discharged by Colonel Ross, but within a week
he was engaged elsewhere at an advanced salary. His new employer was Mr.
Obed Wilkins, better known to us as Uncle Obed.

If this statement excites surprise, I must refer my readers to the next
chapter for an explanation.

CHAPTER XLII

CONCLUSION

The house of Colonel Ross was the finest in the village, with one
exception. A certain Mr. Carrington, a city merchant, had, five years
before, built a country villa surpassing it, a little distance away on
the same street.

It was provided with handsome grounds, and originally cost, everything
included, thirty-five thousand dollars, exclusive of furniture.

It was the day after Harry's triumphant acquittal that Uncle Obed
remarked, casually:

"I hear that Mr. Carrington is anxious to sell his estate."

"I am not surprised," answered Mrs. Gilbert. "He bought it chiefly to
please a young wife, and her sudden death sadly disturbed all his
plans."

"I have made some inquiries," continued Uncle Obed, "and find that he is
willing to sell everything, even to the furniture, for fifteen thousand
dollars."

"That is a great bargain, for he could scarcely have paid less than
forty thousand dollars for the whole."

"I have about decided to buy the place," said Mr. Wilkins, quietly.

"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Gilbert and Harry, in concert.

"Since you both think it will be a good bargain, I think I will buy it,"
continued Uncle Obed, his eyes twinkling.

"That's a good joke," said Harry.

"No joke at all, as you will find."

"You don't mean to say you can afford to buy such a place?" said Harry,
in amazement.

"I consider myself worth seventy-five thousand dollars," said Mr.
Wilkins.

Mrs. Gilbert and Harry stared at him in undisguised astonishment.

"I thought you were a very poor man," said the widow.

"I know you did," said Uncle Obed, laughing.

"What will Colonel Ross say?" wondered Harry.

"I feel more interested in what my niece will say," said the old man.

"I am afraid they will take you away from us, Uncle Obed, when they find
out that you are rich."

"Not against my wi