ight; you've been mighty decent to her and me."

He paused, but Captain Elisha made no comment.

"I guess you have," continued Stephen, soberly. "When you first came,
you know, Caroline and I couldn't understand. We thought you were
butting in and weren't our sort, and--and--"

"And a hayseed nuisance generally; I know. Heave ahead, son; you
interest me."

"Well, we didn't like it. And Mal Dunn and his mother were always
sympathizing and insinuating, and we believed they were our best
friends, and all that. So we didn't try to understand you or--or even
make it livable for you. Then, after the news came that the money had
gone, I acted like a kid, I guess. That business of making Mal stick
to the engagement was pretty silly. I was nearly desperate, you see,
and--and--you knew it was silly. You never took any stock in it, did
you?"

The captain smiled.

"Not a heap," he admitted.

"No. All you wanted was to show them up. Well, you did it, and I'm glad
you did. But Caro and I have talked it over since I've been home, and
we agree that you've been a great deal better to us than we deserve. You
didn't _have_ to take care of us at all, any more, after the money went.
By gad! considering how we treated you, I don't see why you did. _I_
wouldn't. But you did--and you are. You've given us a home, and you're
putting me through college and--and--"

"That's all right, son. Good night."

"Just a minute. I--I--well, if you let me, I'd like to thank you
and--and ask your pardon."

"Granted, my boy. And never mind the thanks, either. Just keep on
thinkin' and actin' as you have to-night, and I'll be satisfied. I want
to see my nephew makin' a man of himself--a real man; and, Steve, you
talk more like a man to-night than I've ever heard you. Stick to it, and
you'll do yet. As for goin' to work, you let me chew on that for a few
days."

The next morning he called on Sylvester, who in turn took him to a
friend of his, a broker--employing a good-sized staff of clerks. The
three had a consultation, followed, the day after, by another. That
evening the captain made a definite proposal to Stephen. It was,
briefly, that, while not consenting to the latter's leaving college, he
did consider that a trial of the work in a broker's office might be
a good thing. Therefore, if the young man wished, he could enter the
employ of Sylvester's friend and remain during July and August.

"You'll leave about the first of September, Steve,"