om Colorado, another
letter, as unexpected as Mr. Sloan's, reached Mrs. Fenton. The
substance of it was comprised in the closing paragraph "Send your son
round to my house this evening I am prepared to make you a better offer
for the Colorado laud. It's of little value, but some day may be worth
more than at present. As you are straitened in means I can better
afford to wait than you, and I shall feel satisfaction in relieving
your necessities."

Fred read this letter attentively. "I hate a hypocrite," he said. "Mr.
Ferguson pretends that he wants to help us, while he is scheming to
cheat us out of a large sum, relying upon our ignorance of the
increased value of the land."

"Shall I write and tell him that we have sold the land?" asked Mrs.
Fenton.

"No, I will call and see him this evening, as he requests."

"But it will do no good."

"I want to find out how much he is willing to give. I shan't let him
know that the land is sold till he has made an offer."

"Don't say anything to provoke Cousin Ferguson, Fred."

"Don't worry, mother. I will be perfectly respectful."

About half-past seven Fred rang the bell at the door of the house on
East Thirty-Ninth Street. Evidently he was expected, for, on his
inquiring for Mr. Ferguson, he was shown at once into the presence of
his rich relation.

"Good evening, Frederick," said Mr. Ferguson, With unusual
graciousness. "How is your mother?"

"Very well, thank you, sir."

"I hope you are getting along comfortably."

"Yes, sir; we have no right to complain."

"That is well," said Mr. Ferguson condescendingly. "I presume the boy
is making five dollars a week or some such matter," he soliloquized.
"That is very well for a boy like him."

"I made you an offer for your father's land in Colorado a few months
ago," he went on carelessly.

"Yes, sir."

"You thought my offer too small."

"Yes, sir. Twenty-five dollars would be of very little value to us."

"There I disagree with you. Twenty-five dollars to a family situated as
yours is, is no trifle."

A faint smile flickered over Fred's face. He wondered what Mr. Ferguson
would say if he knew precisely how they were situated.

"Still," resumed the merchant, "you did right to refuse. I am inclined
to think the land is a little more valuable than I supposed."

Fred was rather surprised. Was Cousin Ferguson going to act a liberal
part, and offer anything like a fair price for the land? He waited
curiously to hea