aken her nephew was so great that it overcame every other
feeling.

When the trial came on she even succeeded in getting to the court room
where she positively identified Jack Minton as her assailant, and her
evidence procured his conviction. He was sentenced to seven years'
imprisonment at Sing Sing.

"He'll not trouble me again," said Mrs. Mack triumphantly as she walked
out of court leaning on Mark's arm. The prisoner glared at the pair and
his hands were clenched.

"If I could only get at 'em I'd kill 'em both!" he muttered, but in his
position his threats were futile.

Two days afterwards Mrs. Mason was surprised by another call from Solon
Talbot.

He looked about him as he entered the room and his eyes lighted up with
satisfaction as he noted the evidences of poverty. Though Mark was now
better off no new furniture had been bought. He was waiting till he
would feel justified in securing better apartments for his mother.

Mrs. Mason looked surprised when her brother-in-law entered.

"Have you moved into the city yet, Mr. Talbot?" she asked.

"Yes; I arrived yesterday."

"How is Mary? Is she with you?"

"Yes."

"I should like to see her. Where are you located?"

"Why, the fact is, we are not located yet."

"I should be glad to see Mary. It is so long since we have met."

"I can't ask you to call as we are so unsettled. In a short time she
will come and call upon you."

"I hope so. It is tantalizing to think she is in the same city, and yet
not to meet."

"We all have our duties, and her duty is to her husband and son. I was
surprised a few days since to meet Mark on the Central road."

"Yes; he went to Cleveland on business."

"Indeed! has he returned yet?"

"He returned two days since."

"For whom was he traveling?"

"I don't know that it is any secret. He had a business commission from
Mr. Swan, a Broadway jeweler."

"He must be a strange business man to select a boy to travel for him."

"He made no mistake in selecting Mark. He professed himself well pleased
with him."

"Humph! it may have turned out right in a single instance. When I select
an agent I prefer to employ a man."

"How is Edgar?"

"He is well. I am looking for a position for him. I have hopes of
getting him into the office of a prominent broker on Wall Street."

"I shall be glad to hear that he is doing well. He is about the age of
Mark."

"True, but their paths will lie apart. My, ahem! position will secure
fo