ide, and drove away.

CHAPTER XXXII.

AN IMPORTANT EVENT.

Radcliff resumed his place in the family. But he soon found that his
relations to it were no longer what they had been before the days of
Vinnie and Jack.

The "new elements" had produced a greater change than he supposed. He no
longer possessed the boundless influence over the boys which his wild
spirits formerly gave him. They saw him in the light of this last
revelation of his character, and contrasted his coarse foolery, once so
attractive, with the gentle manners and cheerful earnestness of Vinnie
and Jack; in which comparison this flower of the Betterson stock
suffered blight.

The boys did not take a holiday in honor of Rad's return, but went
steadily on with their tasks. Lord Betterson himself seemed suddenly to
have changed his views of things, for he now offered to assist the boys
in repairing the fences, for which they had been cutting poles in the
woods.

Rad worked a little, but, seeing how things were going, sulked a good
deal more. He tried to be very gallant toward Vinnie, but her quiet
dignity of manner was proof against all his pleasantries. Even Cecie
and Lill could not somehow enjoy his jests as they used to; and
Caroline--there was no disguising the fact--had ceased to view his
faults through the golden haze of a sentimental fancy.

So Radcliff found himself out of place, unappreciated; and discontent
filled his soul. At length an event occurred which blew his smouldering
restlessness into a flame.

The "Philadelphia partners" were heard from.

Rufe and Wad, who had been over to the Mills one day, completing their
arrangements with the pump-maker for boring the logs of their aqueduct,
brought home from the mail one of those envelopes whose post-mark and
superscription always gladdened the eyes of the Bettersons.

It was from Philadelphia, and it contained a draft for two hundred and
fifty dollars.

One third of this sum was for Radcliff's "benefit."

It would have been wise, perhaps, to keep from him the knowledge of this
fact; but it would have been impossible.

"A pittance, a mere pittance," said Lord, holding the precious bit of
paper up to the light. "Uncle George could just as well have made it a
thousand, without feeling it. However, small favors gratefully
received." And he placed the draft in his pocket-book with calm
satisfaction.

Joy overflowed the family; Caroline began to build fresh castles in the
ai