t to mention Bronson's letter at home, he ran for his
train, thrusting the mysterious note into his pocket as he went.

Edith did the errands and drove home again, after a brief call upon
Gertrude Morgan, who was full of curiosity about Neal's return.

"I always knew he was pretty gay," she said. "Of course Tom and Tony
Bronson wouldn't say much--boys never do, you know; but I gathered from
certain things that Neal was--well, rather sporty, to say the least."

Edith drove homeward rather slowly. She was very sorry about it all:
sorry for Neal himself, whom she liked, despite the fact that he was a
Gordon; sorry for her step-mother, whom she told herself she disliked;
and yet Mrs. Franklin's unvarying kindness and sweet temper had not been
without good results. Edith had softened greatly towards her, more than
she herself was aware of. She still continued to assure herself that it
was an unfortunate day for them when the Gordons came, and she worked
herself into a temper when she thought of the added worriment it gave
her father to have Neal behave as he had done.

"Papa looked so anxious this morning when he read that letter," she said
to herself. "It is too bad. I do wonder what was in it, and from Tony
Bronson, too! What would Gertrude have said if I had told her?"

In the mean time Mr. Franklin was reading his letter again.

"MY DEAR MR. FRANKLIN [it ran],--It is with great regret that I am
obliged to call a little matter to your attention. I had hoped
that it would not be necessary. Your brother-in-law, Neal Gordon,
owes me a small amount, fifty dollars, in fact, and I am at
present really in need of the money. I have waited for it a good
while, nearly a year, and there are one or two bills that I am
expected to pay out of my allowance, which I am unable to do until
Gordon pays me.

"Of course I dislike very much to dun him for it when he is in
disgrace, but really I see no other way out of the difficulty than
to ask you if you will kindly forward a check to my order.

"Very truly yours,
"ANTHONY BRONSON.
"St. Asaph's, _April 2d_."

This letter had cost the writer much thought. He had written several
copies before he was altogether satisfied, but at last the result
pleased him.

"I call it rather neat," he said, as he folded it carefully and
addressed the envelope with an extra flourish. "This will bring the roof
down on our fine high-and-might