es, sir; my name is Paul Prescott."

"Not the son of John Prescott?"

"The same, sir. I believe my father died in your debt."

"Yes. I lent him five hundred dollars, which he never repaid."

"He tried to do so, sir. He had saved up a hundred and fifty dollars
towards it, but sickness came upon him, and he was obliged to use it."

'Squire Conant's temper had been subdued by the long and dangerous
illness through which he had passed. It had made him set a smaller value
on his earthly possessions, from which he might be separated at any
moment. When he answered Paul, it was in a manner which our hero did not
expect.

"Never mind. I can afford to lose it. I have no doubt he did what he
could."

"But I have come to pay it, sir," said Paul.

"You!" exclaimed 'Squire Conant, in the greatest astonishment.

"Yes, sir."

"Where did you get the money?"

"I earned it, sir."

"But you are very young. How could you have earned so much?"

Paul frankly told the story of his struggles; how for years he had
practised a pinching economy, in order to redeem his father's memory
from reproach.

'Squire Conant listened attentively.

"You are a good boy," he said, at length.

"Shall you have anything left after paying this money?"

"No, sir; but I shall soon earn more."

"Still, you ought to have something to begin the world with. You shall
pay me half the money, and I will cancel the note."

"But, sir,----"

"Not a word. I am satisfied, and that is enough. If I hadn't lent your
father the money, I might have invested it with the rest, and lost all."

'Squire Conant produced the note from a little trunk of papers, and
handed it to Paul, who paid him the amount which he had stipulated,
expressing at the same time his gratitude for his unexpected generosity.

"Never mind about thanks, my boy," said 'Squire Conant: "I am afraid I
have loved money too well heretofore. I hope I am not too old to turn
over a new leaf."

XXXIV.

HOW PAUL GOES BACK TO WRENVILLE.

While 'Squire Conant was speaking, Paul formed a sudden resolution. He
remembered that Aunt Lucy Lee was a sister of 'Squire Conant. Perhaps,
in his present frame of mind, it might be possible to induce him to do
something for her.

"I believe I am acquainted with a sister of yours, 'Squire Conant," he
commenced.

"Ha!" exclaimed the 'Squire.

"Mrs. Lucy Lee."

"Yes," was the slow reply; "she is my sister. Where did you meet her?"

"At the Wren