ith stinging emphasis.

"Did Mr. Singleton give him this money?" demanded the lawyer, suddenly.

"He did, for saving his launch out in the bay yesterday. And what is
more, Darry expects to cruise with him the balance of the winter. He has
taken a great fancy for my boy. You can find him easily if you wish to
ask him about this."

It was wonderful how quickly the lawyer changed his manner.

He knew who Paul Singleton was, and what wealth he represented in the
exclusive sporting club near Ashley.

"That alters the complexion of the whole thing. Now I congratulate Darry
on his good fortune in making such a good, easy friend. Of course the
bill must be all right if Paul Singleton gave it to him. I will
immediately attend to the mortgage for you, and also see that it is
satisfied on the books at the county office. Meanwhile I shall write you
out a receipt in full, showing that it has been paid."

Mrs. Peake said nothing more.

She felt the utmost contempt for this man, and having been enabled to
defeat his scheme for humiliating herself and husband, wished to remain
in his company no longer than was absolutely necessary.

So she and Darry presently went forth, and how pure even the stormy
atmosphere seemed after being for half an hour in that spider's web of a
lawyer's den.

On the strength of the improved prospects Mrs. Peake felt that she was
privileged to spend a portion of the small sum of money she had been
hoarding against paying the interest, though as it had not amounted to
the full sum she had not dared approach Darius with an offer.

Mr. Keeler, being a good friend of the Peakes, and inclined to be
hostile to the lawyer, she naturally confided her late troubles to his
sympathetic ear, feeling that she could not keep silent.

He shook the hand of the boy with sincerity, and declared that it was a
great day for Abner and his brood when the surf man helped to pull the
cabin boy of the _Falcon_ out of the sea.

Being a modest lad, Darry escaped as soon as he could, and waited around
until Mrs. Peake was ready to go home, when he showed up to carry her
parcels.

The family feasted that night most royally.

Darry himself had purchased a steak in the store as his donation, and
this was a luxury the little Peakes seldom knew.

Ducks and fish were all very well, together with oysters, when they
could get them; but after all there was a sameness in the diet that
rather palled on the appetite, and that beefs