t condescend to join in the conversation, but contented
himself with devouring the good things and aping the manners of the
young men whom he knew had been among last night's guests.

"Well, I got to be goin'," said Berry, rising. "There 'll be early
breakfas' at de 'house' dis mo'nin', so 's Mistah Frank kin ketch de
fus' train."

He went out cheerily to his work. No shadow of impending disaster
depressed his spirits. No cloud obscured his sky. He was a simple, easy
man, and he saw nothing in the manner of the people whom he served that
morning at breakfast save a natural grief at parting from each other. He
did not even take the trouble to inquire who the strange white man was
who hung about the place.

When it came time for the young man to leave, with the privilege of an
old servitor Berry went up to him to bid him good-bye. He held out his
hand to him, and with a glance at his brother, Frank took it and shook
it cordially. "Good-bye, Berry," he said. Maurice could hardly restrain
his anger at the sight, but his wife was moved to tears at her
brother-in-law's generosity.

The last sight they saw as the carriage rolled away towards the station
was Berry standing upon the steps waving a hearty farewell and
god-speed.

"How could you do it, Frank?" gasped his brother, as soon as they had
driven well out of hearing.

"Hush, Maurice," said Mrs. Oakley gently; "I think it was very noble of
him."

"Oh, I felt sorry for the poor fellow," was Frank's reply. "Promise me
you won't be too hard on him, Maurice. Give him a little scare and let
him go. He 's possibly buried the money, anyhow."

"I shall deal with him as he deserves."

The young man sighed and was silent the rest of the way.

"Whether I fail or succeed, you will always think well of me, Maurice?"
he said in parting; "and if I don't come up to your expectations,
well--forgive me--that 's all."

His brother wrung his hand. "You will always come up to my expectations,
Frank," he said. "Won't he, Leslie?"

"He will always be our Frank, our good, generous-hearted, noble boy. God
bless him!"

The young fellow bade them a hearty good-bye, and they, knowing what his
feelings must be, spared him the prolonging of the strain. They waited
in the carriage, and he waved to them as the train rolled out of the
station.

"He seems to be sad at going," said Mrs. Oakley.

"Poor fellow, the affair of last night has broken him up considerably,
but I 'll make Berry