money. As to a profession, the uncle who took you from my
protection had best choose one for his adopted son. There are
several livings in my gift. If you should make choice of the
Church, they shall be yours. This would make property which has
hitherto been of little value pay a good interest. As to being
dependent upon your uncle, the thought amused me. If he feels you a
burden, it is self-inflicted, and he must be content to bear it.
You need not look to me for pecuniary assistance; I shall yield you
none. An industrious young man can always free himself from a
galling yoke.

"Your father and friend,

Marcus Hurdlestone."

Upon the whole, Anthony was pleased with his father's letter. It
displayed more of human feeling than he expected; besides, he had not
rejected his claims as a son. He had acknowledged him to be his heir. It
is true, he had forbidden him his presence, and flung back his
proffered affection; but he had spoken of him with respect, and his son
was grateful even for this stinted courtesy. He would one day be able to
repay his uncle's kindness in a more substantial manner than words; and
he flew to Algernon's study with a beating heart and flushed cheeks.

"What news, my boy?" said the Colonel, looking up from the artificial
fly he was making. "Have you caught a trout or a salmon?"

"Better still. I have got a letter from my father!"

"No!" said the Colonel, letting go his fishing-tackle. "Is that
possible?"

"Here it is; read for yourself." And he put the letter into Algernon's
hand.

"Well, Tony, lad, this is indeed better than I expected," he said,
grasping his nephew warmly by the hand. "But stay; what does this
paragraph mean? Have you found my love, Anthony, such a galling yoke?"

"My father has misunderstood me," replied the lad, his cheeks glowing
with crimson. "I told him that it was not just for me to be dependent on
your bounty."

"'Tis a crabbed old sinner," said the Colonel, laughing, "I am more
astonished at his letter than anything that has happened to me since he
robbed me of your mother."

Anthony looked inquiringly at his uncle.

"Come, nephew, sit down by me, and I will relate to you a page out of my
own history, which will not only show you what manner of man this father
of yours is, but explain to you the position in which we are both placed
regarding him; clearing up what must have