ry."

"What is your name?" asked Henry Morton, more and more pleased with his
chance acquaintance. "I should like to become better acquainted with
you."

Frank blushed, and his expressive face showed that he was gratified by
the compliment.

"My name is Frank Frost," he answered, "and I live about half a mile
from here."

"And I am Henry Morton. I am stopping temporarily at the hotel. Shall
you be at leisure this evening, Frank?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then I should be glad to receive a call from you. I have no
acquaintances, and perhaps we may help each other to make the evening
pass pleasantly. I have some pictures collected abroad, which I think
you might like to look at."

"I shall be delighted to come," said Frank, his eyes sparkling with
pleasure.

By this time they had reached the church, which was distant but a few
rods from the hotel. They had just turned the corner of the road, when
the clang of a bell was heard.

"I suppose that is my breakfast-bell," said the young man. "It finds me
with a good appetite. Good morning, Frank. I will expect you, then, this
evening."

Frank returned home, feeling quite pleased with his invitation.

"I wish," thought he, "that I might see considerable of Mr. Morton. I
could learn a great deal from him, he has seen so much."

His road led him past the house of Squire Haynes. John was sauntering
about the yard with his hands in his pockets.

"Good morning, John," said Frank, in a pleasant voice.

John did not seem inclined to respond to this politeness. On seeing
Frank he scowled, and without deigning to make a reply turned his back
and went into the house. He had not forgotten the last occasion on which
they had met in the woods, when Frank defeated his cruel designs upon
poor Pomp. There was not much likelihood that he would forget it very
soon.

"I can't understand John," thought Frank. "The other boys will get mad
and get over it before the next day; John broods over it for weeks.
I really believe he hates me. But, of course, I couldn't act any
differently. I wasn't going to stand by and see Pomp beaten. I should do
just the same again."

The day wore away, and in the evening Frank presented himself at the
hotel, and inquired for Mr. Morton. He was ushered upstairs, and told to
knock at the door of a room in the second story.

His knock was answered by the young man in person, who shook his hand
with a pleasant smile, and invited him in.

"I am glad to see yo