s--but when uncle Silas rendered in his account it had
dwindled to one hundred and twenty-five dollars. Of course that didn't
last me long."

"Do you think that he acted wrongfully?" asked Chester, startled.

"Do I think so? I have no doubt of it. You know money is his god."

"Yet to cheat his own nephew would be so base."

"Is there anything too base for such a man to do to get money?"

The young man spoke bitterly.

By this time they had reached Chester's home. His mother was still up.
She looked up in surprise at her son's companion.

"Mother," said Chester, "this is Mr. Bruce. Do you think we can give
him a bed?"

"Why, certainly," replied Mrs. Rand, cordially. "Have you had supper,
sir?"

"I wouldn't like to trouble you, ma'am."

"It will be no trouble. I can make some tea in five minutes. Chester,
take out the bread and butter and cold meat from the closet."

So before he went to bed the homeless wayfarer was provided with a warm
meal, and the world seemed brighter and more cheerful to him.

CHAPTER IV.

A DYING GIFT.

In the morning Walter Bruce came down to breakfast looking pale and
sick. He had taken a severe cold from scanty clothing and exposure to
the winter weather.

"You have a hard cough, Mr. Bruce," said Mrs. Rand, in a tone of
sympathy.

"Yes, madam; my lungs were always sensitive."

When breakfast was over he took his hat and prepared to go.

"I thank you very much for your kind hospitality," he began. Then he
was attacked by a fit of coughing.

"Where are you going. Mr. Bruce?" asked Chester.

"I don't know," he answered, despondently. "I came to Wyncombe to see
my uncle Silas, but he will have nothing to say to me."

Chester and his mother exchanged looks. The same thought was in the
mind of each.

"Stay with us a day or two," said Mrs. Rand. "You are not fit to travel.
You need rest and care."

"But I shall be giving you a great deal of trouble."

"We shall not consider it such," said Mrs. Rand.

"Then I will accept your kind offer, for indeed I am very unwell."

Before the end of the day the young man was obliged to go to bed, and a
doctor was summoned. Bruce was pronounced to have a low fever, and to
be quite unfit to travel.

Mrs. Rand and Chester began to feel anxious. Their hearts were filled
with pity for the young man, but how could they bear the expense which
this sickness would entail upon them?

"Silas Tripp is his uncle," said Mrs. Rand. "He o