ts, been able to give
private attention to your education, and to do better for you than the
village school would have done. I wish I had some relative to whom I
might consign you, but you will be alone in the world."

"Have I no relatives?" asked Philip.

"Your mother was an only child, and I had but one brother."

"What became of him, father?"

"He got into trouble when he was a young man, and left the country.
Where he went to I have no idea. Probably he went first to Europe, and I
heard a rumor, at one time, that he had visited Australia. But that was
twenty years ago, and as I have heard nothing of him since, I think it
probable that he is dead. Even if he were living, and I knew where he
was, I am not sure whether he would make a safe guardian for you."

"Have you any advice to give me, father?" asked Philip, after a pause.
"Whatever your wishes may be, I will try to observe them."

"I do not doubt it, Philip. You have always been an obedient son, and
have been considerate of my weakness. I will think it over, and try to
give you some directions which may be of service to you. Perhaps I may
be able to think of some business friend to whom I can commend you."

"You have talked enough, father," said Philip, noticing his father's
increasing pallor and the evident exertion with which he spoke. "Rest
now, and to-morrow we can talk again."

Mr. Gray was evidently in need of rest. He closed his eyes and
apparently slept. But he never awoke to consciousness. The conversation
above recorded was the last he was able to hold with his son. For two
days he remained in a kind of stupor, and at the end of that time he
died.

Philip's grief was not violent. He had so long anticipated his father's
death that it gave him only a mild shock.

Friends and neighbors made the necessary arrangements for the funeral,
and the last services were performed. Then, at length, Philip realized
that he had lost his best earthly friend, and that he was henceforth
alone in the world. He did not as yet know that Squire Pope had
considerately provided him with a home in the village poorhouse.

CHAPTER II. PHILIP AT HOME.

When the funeral was over, Frank Dunbar, whom Philip regarded as his
most intimate friend, came up to him.

"Philip," he said, "my mother would like to have you spend a few days
with us while you are deciding what to do."

"Thank you, Frank!" answered Philip. "But until the auction I shall
remain at home.