oon
know, as my uncle intimates that he has a communication to make me."

"I hope it isn't as bad as you think, Kit."

"I hope so too, but I can tell you better to-morrow. We will meet
to-night at the show."

CHAPTER IV.

A SCENE NOT DOWN ON THE BILLS.

Just before supper Kit was asked to an interview with his uncle.

"You wish to speak to me, Uncle Stephen?" he said.

"Yes; I have decided not to postpone the explanation for which you asked
yesterday."

"I shall be glad to hear it, sir."

"Ever since your father's death I have supported you, not because I was
morally or legally bound to do so, but because you were my nephew."

"But didn't my father leave any property?" asked Kit in amazement.

"He was supposed to have done so."

"This house and grounds are surely worth a good deal of money!"

"So they are," answered Stephen Watson, dryly, "but unfortunately they
did not belong to your father."

"This is certainly a mistake," exclaimed Kit, indignantly.

"Wait till I have finished. These stood in your father's name, but there
was a mortgage of two thousand dollars held by the Smyrna Savings Bank."

"Surely the place is worth far more than two thousand dollars!"

"Curb your impatience, and you will soon understand me. The place _is_
worth far more than two thousand dollars. I consider it worth ten
thousand."

"Then I don't see----"

"Your father left large debts, which of course had to be paid. I was
therefore obliged to sell the estate, in order to realize the necessary
funds."

"For how much did you sell the place?"

"For nine thousand dollars. I regarded that as a good price, considering
that it was paid in cash or the equivalent."

"To whom did you sell?"

"I bought it in myself; I was not willing that the place which my
brother had loved so well, should pass into the hands of strangers."

"May I ask who was my father's principal creditor?" asked Kit.

"Ahem! I was," answered Stephen Watson, in a tone of slight
embarrassment.

"You!" exclaimed Kit, in fresh surprise.

"Yes; your father owed me twelve thousand dollars borrowed at various
times."

"How could he have been obliged to borrow so much?" asked Kit. "He
always seemed comfortably situated. I never once heard him complain of
being pressed for money."

"Very likely; he was very reticent about his affairs. I would explain,
but the matter is rather a delicate one."

"I think I am entitled to know all about it, Uncle S