o," added the
farmer.

"I could stay in town with Minnie until you got back," said Songbird,
eagerly, to Sam. "I could keep my eyes open for Tom."

"We could both look for him," added the girl. It pleased her to think
she might have the would-be poet's company.

The matter was talked over for several minutes and then it was agreed
that Sam should ride over to the seminary with the farmer.

"You won't have to hurry back," said Songbird, on parting. "If it gets
too late Minnie and I can go over to the hotel for supper," and he
smiled at the girl, who blushed and smiled in return.

Mr. Sanderson had always owned some excellent horses and the mare
attached to his buggy was a swift animal. He and Sam got into the
turnout, and away they went with a whirl, soon leaving Ashton behind.

"This year the seminary is going to buy all its potatoes from me,"
explained the farmer. "And they get their cabbages, and carrots and
turnips from me, too, and a good many of their eggs and chickens. They
are quite a customer, and I want to do my best to please 'em."

"It's a fine place," returned Sam. "Just as good as Brill."

"So it is, Sam. By the way, how is Dick makin' out? I understand he
was lookin' after your father's business."

"He is, and he is getting along very well. Of course, our lawyer is
helping him, for some matters are in an awful tangle."

"That feller who hit Tom over the head ought to have been put in jail."

"Well, he is going to lose most of his property--or at least, he had to
give up what belonged to Dad. The lawyer thinks that will be
punishment enough. We thought of prosecuting the bunch, but Dad is in
such bad health he didn't want to bother. Besides, one of the crowd,
Josiah Crabtree, broke his leg in two places and he will be a cripple
for life."

"Serves the rascal right! He had no business to interfere with you,
and with that Mrs. Stanhope an' her daughter. I ain't got no sympathy
to waste on sech cattle," snorted the straight-minded farmer.

Presently they came in sight of Hope Seminary and Mr. Sanderson drove
around to a side door, to interview the housekeeper. Sam walked around
to the front, and rang the doorbell, and a maid answered his summons.

"I would like to see Miss Grace Laning," he said. "Or, if she isn't
in, her sister, Miss Nellie."

"Yes, sir," and the girl ushered the young collegian into the reception
room.

A few minutes later Grace appeared. She looked at Sa