hearts on.

"It is just sinful, giving women that much good gold," said Matt
angrily: "and here we are needing it to keep a great business afloat."

It was the first time Matt had dared to hint that the mill under his
care was not making money, and he was terribly shocked when Sam made a
similar confession. In fact, the brothers, with all their cleverness
and industry, were so ignorant that they were necessarily at the mercy
of those they employed, and they had fallen into roguish hands. Sam
proposed that David should be asked to look over their affairs and
tell them where the leakage was: "He was always a lile-hearted chap,
and I'd trust him, Matt, up hill and down dale, I would."

But Matt objected to this plan. He said David must be taken through
the mills and the most made of everything, and then in a week or two
afterwards be offered a partnership; and Matt, being the eldest,
carried the day. A great festival was arranged, everything was seen to
the best advantage, and David was exceedingly interested. He lingered
with a strange fascination among the steam-looms, and Matt saw the
bait had taken, for as they walked back together to the old homestead
David said, "You were ever a careful man, Matt, but it must take a
deal of money--you understand, brother--if you need at any time--I
hope I don't presume."

"Certainly not. Yes, we are doing a big business--a very good business
indeed; perhaps when you are stronger you may like to join us."

"I sha'n't get stronger, Matt--so I spoke now."

Sam, in his anxiety, thought Matt had been too prudent; he would have
accepted Davie's offer at once; but Matt was sure that by his plan
they would finally get all the general's money into their hands.
However, the very clever always find some quantity that they have
failed to take into account. After this long day at the mills General
Denton had a severe relapse, and it was soon evident that his work was
nearly finished.

"But you must not fret, Jennie dear," he said cheerfully; "I am indeed
younger in years than you, but then I have lived a hundred times as
long. What a stirring, eventful life I have had! I must have lived a
cycle among these hills to have evened it; and most of my comrades are
already gone."

One day, at the very last, he said, "Jennie, there is one bequest in
my will may astonish you, but it is all right. I went to see her a
month ago. She is a widow now with a lot of little lads around her.
And I loved