ther kissed him in his sleep and woke him. You know he always
screams at sight of Lawrence."

"Strange he should be afraid of his father; but he will doubtless get
over it as he grows older."

"I think it increases upon him."

"Is not Lawrence at home?" inquired Mrs. Prague.

"He is in the office with Mr. Sumpter, I believe," was the reply.

"Would you think it, Marion? Your father is opposed to our Catherine's
marrying Mr. Sumpter."

"Indeed, I do not wonder. I do not consider him a proper person for any
young lady of taste and refinement to marry."

"Why so? Lawrence extols him."

"Does he?"

The child had grown quiet, and now slept in its mother's arms. As her
son-in-law did not appear, Mrs. Prague soon retired.

Hardin was having a stormy scene with Sumpter. The latter had of late
grown bold and impetuous. Admitted in confidence to all Hardin's
nefarious schemes and plottings, he gained a power over the wicked man,
and began to exercise it with arbitrary sway. He was a reckless,
unprincipled gambler, and, having recently encountered heavy losses,
came with a bold demand on Hardin's purse.

"You are getting to use me shabbily," he exclaimed, angrily; "with all
Sheldon's fortune tucked away in your pocket, to say nothing of--you
know what--you refuse me so small a favor as a cool thousand. Come, hand
over, or, by Heaven, I'll inform against you!"

"You can hardly do that, without marring your own good fame," said
Hardin, ironically; "and I know you would shrink from doing that."

"None of your sneers, Hardin," growled Sumpter, fiercely; "will you give
me the money?"

"No!" thundered Hardin, with an oath; "you shall not ride rough-shod
over me in this way. Now begone from my sight!"

"Very well; good-evening, Esq. Hardin," said Sumpter, with a savage,
revengeful leer on his countenance, as he went out, slamming the door
spitefully behind him.

Hardin was alarmed, after the wretch was gone, as he reflected how far
he was in the monster's power, and in what ruin he might involve him if
he chose.

CHAPTER XVII.

"Now mark him in the tempest hour,
Will he be calm, or will he quail
Before the fury of its power?
----Read ye the tale."

There are those that know not the extent of their powers till they are
called forth and tasked to the utmost by trial and misfortune. Such an
one was Frank She