here."

With some wonder Rodney took the letter and read as follows:

DEAR RODNEY--I have bad news to communicate. As you know, I was left by
your father in charge of you and your fortune. I have never told you
the amount, but I will say now that it was about fifty thousand dollars.
Until two years since I kept it intact but then began a series of
reverses in which my own fortune was swallowed up. In the hope of
relieving myself I regret to say that I was tempted to use your money.
That went also, and now of the whole sum there remains but enough to
pay the balance of your school bills, leaving you penniless. How much I
regret this I cannot tell you. I shall leave New York at once. I do not
care at present to say where I shall go, but I shall try to make good
the loss, and eventually restore to you your lost fortune. I may be
successful or I may not. I shall do my best and I hope in time to have
better news to communicate.

One thing I am glad to say. I have a casket containing your mother's
jewels. These are intact. I shall send you the casket by express,
knowing that you will wish to keep them out of regard for your mother's
memory. In case you are reduced to the necessity of pawning or selling
them, I am sure that your mother, could she be consulted, would advise
you to do so. This would be better than to have you suffer from want.

There is nothing further for me to write except to repeat my regret, and
renew my promise to make up your lost fortune if I shall ever to able to
do so. Your Guardian, BENJAMIN FIELDING.

Rodney read this like one dazed. In an instant he was reduced from the
position of a favorite of fortune to a needy boy, with his living to
make.

He could not help recalling what had passed between his friend David and
himself earlier in the day. Now he was as poor as David--poorer, in fact
for David had a chance to learn a trade that would yield him a living,
while he was utterly without resources, except in having an unusually
good education.

"Well," said Dr. Sampson, "have you read your letter?"

"Yes, sir."

"Your guardian wrote to me also. This is his letter," and he placed the
brief epistle in Rodney's hands.

DR. SAMPSON--I have written my ward, Rodney Ropes, an important
letter which he will show you. The news which it contains will make it
necessary for him to leave school. I inclose a check for one hundred and
twenty five dollars. Keep whatever is due you, and give him the