“Nathan Lawrence, cashier of the bank in Benton, has disappeared with twenty thousand dollars of the bank’s money.”

“What has that to do with father?  He hasn’t much money in that bank.”

“Your father is on Mr. Lawrence’s bond to the amount of six thousand dollars.”

“I see,” answered Andy, gravely, “How much will he lose?”

“The whole of it.”

This, then, was what had happened.  To a man in moderate circumstances, it must needs be a heavy blow.

“I suppose it will make a great difference?” said Andy, inquiringly.

“You can judge.  Your father’s property consists of this farm and three thousand dollars in government bonds.  It will be necessary to sacrifice the bonds and place a mortgage of three thousand dollars on the farm.”

“How much is the farm worth?”

“Not over six thousand dollars.”

“Then father’s property is nearly all swept away.”

“Yes,” said his mother, sadly.  “Hereafter he will receive no help from outside interest, and will, besides, have to pay interest on a mortgage of three thousand dollars, at six per cent.”

“One hundred and eighty dollars.”

“Yes.”

“Altogether, then, it will diminish our income by rather more than three hundred dollars.”

“Yes, Andy.”

“That is about what my education has been costing father,” said Andy, in a low voice.

He began to see how this misfortune was going to affect him.

“I am afraid,” faltered Mrs. Grant, “that you will have to leave school.”

“Of course I must,” said Andy, speaking with a cheerfulness which he did not feel.  “And in place of going to college I must see how I can help father bear this burden.”

“It will be very hard upon you, Andy,” said his mother, in a tone of sympathy.

“I shall be sorry, of course, mother; but there are plenty of boys who don’t go to college.  I shall be no worse off than they.”

“I am glad you bear the disappointment so well, Andy.  It is of you your father and I have thought chiefly since the blow fell upon us.”

“Who will advance father the money on mortgage, mother?”

“Squire Carter has expressed a willingness to do so.  He will be here this evening to talk it over.”

“I am sorry for that, mother.  He is a hard man.  If there is a chance to take advantage of father, he won’t hesitate to do it.”

CHAPTER II.

Squire Carter.

When Mr. Grant entered the room, he seemed to Andy to have grown five years older.  His face was sad, and he had lost the brisk, cheerful manner which was habitual to him.

“Has your mother told you?” he asked.

“Yes, father.”  Then he added with indignation:  “What a wicked man Mr. Lawrence must be!”

“I suppose he was tempted,” said Mr. Grant, slowly.  “Here is a note I received from him this morning.”