late you have generally paid in the
money, and you are personally known to the manager. Should there be any
difficulty, I have made a will leaving everything to you. That sum will
keep you, if you cannot obtain the employment we speak of, until you
come of age; and will, at any rate, facilitate your getting employment
with the army, as you will not be obliged to demand much pay, and can
take anything that offers.

"Another reason for your going to England is that your grandfather may,
if he is dead, have relented at last towards your father, and may have
left him some share in his fortune; and although you might well refuse
to accept any help from him, if he is alive, you can have no hesitation
in taking that which should be yours by right. I think sometimes now,
my boy, that I have been wrong in not accepting the fact of your
father's death as proved, and taking you home to England; but you will
believe that I acted for the best, and I shrank from the thought of
going home as a beggar, while I could maintain you and myself
comfortably, here."

"You were quite right, Mother dear. We have been very happy, and I have
been looking forward to the time when I might work for you, as you have
worked for me. It has been a thousand times better, so, than living on
the charity of a man who looked down upon you, and who cast off my
father."

"Well, you will believe at least that I acted for the best, dear, and I
am not sure that it has not been for the best. At any rate I, too, have
been far happier than I could have been, if living in England on an
allowance begrudged to me."

A week later, Gregory was awakened by the cries of the Negro servant;
and, running to Mrs. Hilliard's bedroom, found that his mother had
passed away during the night. Burial speedily follows death in Egypt;
and on the following day Gregory returned, heartbroken, to his lonely
house, after seeing her laid in her grave.

For a week, he did nothing but wander about the house, listlessly.
Then, with a great effort, he roused himself. He had his work before
him--had his mother's wishes to carry out. His first step was to go to
the bank, and ask to see the manager.

"You may have heard of my mother's death, Mr. Murray?" he said.

"Yes, my lad, and sorry, indeed, I was to hear of it. She was greatly
liked and respected, by all who knew her."

"She told me," Gregory went on, trying to steady his voice, "a week
before her death, that she had money here de