from my own nephew is something I
was by no means prepared for. It is a poor return for my liberal offer."

"Your liberal offer?"

"Yes, the twenty-five dollars I offered your mother is out of my own
pocket--offered solely out of consideration for her poverty. Do I
understand," he asked, addressing his sister-in-law, "that you decline
my offer?"

Mrs. Mason looked doubtfully at Mark. Twenty-five dollars in their
present circumstances would be a boon, and, in addition to Mark's
earnings, would tide them over at least three months. Was it right, or
wise, to decline it?

Mark's face showed no signs of wavering. He was calm and resolute.

"What do you think, Mark?" asked his mother.

"You know what I think, mother. We have no knowledge that the estate has
been fairly administered, and you would be bartering away our rights."

"I think I won't sign the receipt, Solon," said Mrs. Mason.

Solon Talbot looked very angry.

"Then," he replied, "I cannot give you the twenty-five dollars. Edgar,
we will go."

"Give my love to Mary," faltered Mrs. Mason.

Solon Talbot deigned no answer, but strode from the room with angry
look.

"Mother, I am convinced that Uncle Solon was trying to swindle us," said
Mark.

"I hope we have done right, Mark," rejoined his mother doubtfully.

"What is this, mother?" asked Mark, as he picked up from the floor a
letter partially torn.

"It must have been dropped by Solon Talbot."

CHAPTER IV.

A NIGHT AT DALY'S.

"I will read this letter to see if it is of any importance," said Mark.
"In that case I will forward it to Syracuse."

He read as follows:

"WALL STREET EXCHANGE.

"DEAR SIR: In reference to the mining stock about which you
inquire, our information is that the mine is a valuable one, and
very productive. The stock is held in few hands, and it is
difficult to obtain it. You tell me that it belongs to an estate of
which you are the administrator. I advise you to hold it awhile
longer before you seek to dispose of it. We are about to send an
agent to Nevada to look after some mining interests of our own, and
will authorize him also to look up the Golden Hope mine.

"Yours truly,
"CRANE & LAWTON,
"STOCK AND MINING BROKERS."

Mother and son looked at each other significantly.

Finally Mark said, "This mining stock must have belonged to
grandfather."

"Yes; I remember now his alluding to having pur