“It will be my painful duty to foreclose the mortgage.”

“Squire Haynes,” said Frank boldly, “haven’t you intended to foreclose the mortgage all along?  Hadn’t you decided about it when I called upon you ten days ago?”

“What do you mean by your impertinence, sir?” demanded the squire, giving vent to his anger.

“Just what I say.  I believe you bear a grudge against my father, and only put me off the other day in order to prevent my being able to meet your demands to-morrow.  What do you suppose we can do in less than twenty-four hours?”

“Madam!” said the squire, purple with rage, “do you permit your son to insult me in this manner?”

“I leave it to your conscience, Squire Haynes, whether his charges are not deserved.  I do not like to think ill of any man, but your course is very suspicious.”

“Madam,” said Squire Haynes, now thoroughly enraged, “you are a woman, and can say what you please; but as for this young rascal, I’ll beat him within an inch of his life if I ever catch him out of your presence.”

“He is under the protection of the laws,” said Mrs. Frost composedly, “which you, being a lawyer, ought to understand.”

“I’ll have no mercy on you.  I’ll sell you up root and branch,” said Squire Haynes, trembling with passion, and smiting the floor with his cane.

“At all events the house is ours to-day,” returned Mrs. Frost, with dignity, “and I must request you to leave us in quiet possession of it.”

The squire left the house in undignified haste, muttering threats as he went.

“Good, mother!” exclaimed Frank admiringly.  “You turned him out capitally.  But,” he added, an expression of dismay stealing over his face, “what shall we do?”

“We must try to obtain a loan,” said Mrs. Frost, “I will go and see Mr. Sanger, while you go to Mr. Perry.  Possibly they may help us.  There is no time to be lost.”

An hour afterward Frank and his mother returned, both disappointed.  Mr. Sanger and Mr. Perry both had the will to help but not the ability.  There seemed no hope left save in Mr. Morton.  At six o’clock the stage rolled up to the gate.

“Thank Heaven!  Mr. Morton has come!” exclaimed Frank eagerly.

Mr. Morton got out of the stage, and with him a feeble old man, or such he seemed, whom the young man assisted to alight.  They came up the gravel walk together.

“How do you do, Frank?” he said, with a cheerful smile.

“We are in trouble,” said Frank.  “Squire Haynes is going to foreclose the mortgage to-morrow.”

“Never mind!” said Mr. Morton.  “We will be ready for him.  He can’t do either of us any more mischief, Frank.  His race is about run.”

A heavy weight seemed lifted from Frank’s heart.  For the rest of the day he was in wild spirits.  He asked no questions of Mr. Morton.  He felt a firm confidence that all would turn out for the best.