ew
words with me. So I went out, and he introduced himself as the old
lady's lawyer, told me that she was gone, and that she had, almost with
her last breath, made him promise to go, the moment she was dead, and
see the fireman who had saved her life, and tell him that she had left
her fortune to him. He congratulated me; said that there were no near
relations to feel aggrieved or to dispute my rights, and that, as soon
as the proper legal steps had been taken--the debts and legacies paid,
etcetera,--he would have the pleasure of handing over the balance, which
would probably amount to twenty thousand pounds."

"It's like a dream," said Willie.

"So it is," replied Frank, "but it's well that it is not a dream, for if
I had been the penniless man that Mr Auberly thinks me, I would have
been obliged in honour to give up Emma Ward."

"Give her up!" exclaimed Willie in amazement. "Why?"

"Why! because I could not think of standing in the way of her good
fortune."

"Oh, Frank! oh, Blazes," said Willie sadly, "has money told on you so
fearfully already? Do you think that _she_ would give _you_ up for the
sake of Auberly's dross?"

"I believe not, lad; but--but--well--never mind, we won't be troubled
with the question now. But, mother, you don't seem to think much of my
good fortune."

"I do think much of it, Frank; it has been sent to you by the Lord, and
therefore is to be received with thanksgiving. But sudden good fortune
of this kind is very dangerous. It makes me anxious as well as glad."

At that moment there came a loud knocking at the door, which startled
Mrs Willders, and caused Willie to leap up and rush to open it.

Frank rose and put on his cap with the quiet promptitude of a man
accustomed to alarms.

"That's a fire, mother; the kind of knock is quite familiar to me now.
Don't be alarmed; we hear that kind of thing about two or three times a
day at the station; they knew I was here, and have sent a messenger."

"A fire!" cried Willie, running into the room in great excitement.

"Tut, lad," said Frank, with a smile, as he nodded to his mother and
left the room, "you'd never do for a fireman, you're too excitable.
Where's the messenger?--ah, here you are. Well, where is it?"

"Tooley Street," exclaimed a man, whose condition showed that he had run
all the way.

Frank started, and looked very grave as he said hurriedly to his
brother--

"Good-night, lad. I won't likely be able to get out