lmness of his usual deportment.

"How do you intend to employ your holidays, Ishmael?" inquired his
friend.

"By continuing my studies at home, sir," replied the youth.

"I thought so! Well, so that you do not overwork yourself, you are right
to keep them up. These very long vacations are made for the benefit of
the careless and idle, and not for the earnest and industrious. But,
Ishmael, that little cot of yours is not the best place for your
purpose; studies can scarcely be pursued favorably where household work
is going on constantly; so I think you had better come here every day as
usual, and read in the schoolroom. Mr. Brown will be gone certainly; but
I shall be at home, and ready to render you any assistance."

"Oh, sir, how shall I thank you?" joyfully began Ishmael.

"By just making the best use of your opportunities to improve yourself,
my lad," smiled his friend, patting him on the shoulder.

"But, sir--in the vacation--it will give you trouble--"

"It will afford me pleasure, Ishmael! I hope you can take my word for
that?"

"Oh, Mr. Middleton! Indeed you--how can I ever prove myself grateful
enough?"

"By simply getting on as fast as you can, boy! as I told you before. And
let me tell you now, that there is good reason why you should now make
the best possible use of your time; it may be short."

"Sir?" questioned Ishmael in perplexity and vague alarm.

"I should rather have said it must be short! I will explain. You know
Mr. Herman Brudenell?"

"Mr--Herman--Brudenell," repeated the unconscious son, slowly and
thoughtfully; then, as a flash of intelligence lighted up his face, he
exclaimed: "Oh, yes, sir, I know who you mean; the young gentleman who
owns Brudenell Hall, and who is now traveling in Europe."

"Yes! but he is not such a very young gentleman now; he must be between
thirty-five and forty years of age. Well, my boy, you know, of course,
that he is my landlord. When I rented this place, I took it by the year,
and at a very low price, as the especial condition that I should leave
it at six months' warning. Ishmael, I have received that warning this
morning. I must vacate the premises on the first of next February."

Ishmael looked confounded. "Must vacate these premises the first of next
February," he echoed, in a very dreary voice.

"Yes, my lad; but don't look so utterly sorrowful; we shall not go out
of the world, or even out of the State; perhaps not out of the county,
Ishmael;