"I wouldn't take you as a gift."
"Ho, ho," laughed Abner, "I reckon you'd find me a tough customer.You won't take bub, either."
"Who is to prevent me?"
"I will!" said a new voice, and Grant Thornton, who had fallen inwith Abner outside, walked quietly into the room.
Willis Ford started back in dismay. Grant was the last person heexpected to meet here. He had no idea that any one of the boy's homefriends had tracked him this far. He felt that he was defeated, buthe hated to acknowledge it.
"How are you going to prevent me, you young whippersnapper?" hesaid, glaring menacingly at Grant.
"Mr. Willis Ford, unless you leave this room and this town at once,"said Grant, firmly, "I will have you arrested. There is a localofficer below whom I brought with me, suspecting your object incoming here."
"Oh, Grant, how glad I am to see you! Is papa with you?" exclaimedHerbert, overjoyed.
"I will tell you about it soon, Herbert."
"You won't let him take me away?"
"There is no danger of that," said Grant, reassuringly. "I shalltake you home to New York as soon as this good lady says you arewell enough to go."
Ford stood gnawing his nether lip. If it had been Mr. Reynolds, hewould not have minded so much; but for a mere boy, like GrantThornton, to talk with such a calm air of superiority angered him.
"Boy," he said, "it sounds well for you to talk of arrest--you whostole my aunt's bonds, and are indebted to her forbearance for notbeing at this moment in State's prison."
"Your malicious charge does not affect me, Mr. Ford," returnedGrant. "It was proved before you left New York that you were thethief, and even your stepmother must have admitted it. Mr. Reynoldsdischarged you from his employment, and this is the mean revenge youhave taken--the abduction of his only son."
"I will do you an injury yet, you impudent boy," said Ford,furiously.
"I shall be on my guard, Mr. Ford," answered Grant. "I believe youcapable of it."
"Don't you think you had better leave us, sir?" said Miss Stone.
"I shall take my own time about going," he answered, impudently.
But his words were heard by Dr. Stone, who had returned sooner thanhe anticipated, and was already at the door of the room. He was apowerful man, and of quick temper. His answer was to seize Ford bythe collar and fling him downstairs.
"This will teach you to be more polite to a lady," he said. "Now,what does all this mean, and who is this man?"
The explanation was given.
"I wish I had been here before," said the doctor.
"You were in good time," said Grant, smiling. "I see that Herberthas found powerful friends."
Willis Ford, angry and humiliated, picked himself up, but did notventure to return to the room he had left so ignominiously. Likemost bullies, he was a coward, and he did not care to encounter thedoctor again.
Within an hour, Grant telegraphed to the broker at his office: "Ihave found Herbert, and will start for New York with him to-morrow."Mr. Reynolds had only just returned from his fruitless Southernexpedition, weary and dispirited. But he forgot all his fatigue whenhe read this message. "God bless Grant Thornton!" he ejaculated.
CHAPTER XXXIX -- THE HOUSEKEEPER'S RETRIBUTION
The train from Chicago had just reached the Grand Central Depot.From the parlor car descended two boys who are well known to us,Grant Thornton and Herbert Reynolds.
Herbert breathed a sigh of satisfaction.
"Oh, Grant," he said, "how glad I am to see New York once more! Iwonder if papa knows we are to come by this train?"
The answer came speedily.
The broker, who had just espied them, hurried forward, and his lostboy was lifted to his embrace.
"Thank God, I have recovered you, my dear son," he exclaimed,fervently.
"You must thank Grant, too, papa," said the little boy. "It was hewho found me and prevented Mr. Ford stealing me again."
Mr. Reynolds grasped Grant's hand and pressed it warmly.
"I shall know how to express my gratitude to Grant in due time," hesaid.
On their way home Grant revealed to Mr. Reynolds for the first timethe treachery of the housekeeper, who had suppressed Herbert'sletter to his father, and left the latter to mourn for his son whenshe might have relieved him of the burden of sorrow.
As Mr. Reynolds listened, his face became stern.
"That woman is a viper!" he said. "In my house she has enjoyed everycomfort and every consideration, and in return she has dealt me thisfoul blow. She will have cause to regret it."
When they entered the house Mrs. Estabrook received them with falsesmiles.
"So you are back again, Master Herbert," she said. "A fine frightyou gave us!"
"You speak as if Herbert went away of his own accord," said thebroker sternly. "You probably know better."
"I know nothing, sir, about it."
"Then I may inform you that it was your stepson, Willis Ford, whostole my boy--a noble revenge, truly, upon me for discharging him."
"I don't believe it," said the housekeeper. "I presume it is youroffice boy who makes this charge?" she added, pressing her thin lipstogether.
"There are others who are cognizant of it, Mrs. Estabrook. Grantsucceeded in foiling Mr. Ford in his attempt to recover Herbert, whohad run away from his place of confinement."
"You are prejudiced against my son, Mr. Reynolds," said Mrs.Estabrook, her voice trembling with anger.
"Not more than against you, Mrs. Estabrook. I have a serious chargeto bring against you."
"What do you mean, sir?" asked the housekeeper, nervously.
"Why did you suppress the letter which my boy wrote to me revealinghis place of imprisonment?"
"I don't know what you mean, sir," she answered, half defiantly.
"I think you do."
"Did Master Herbert write such a letter?" "Yes."
"Then it must have miscarried."
"On the contrary, the postman expressly declares that he deliveredit at this house. I charge you with concealing or suppressing it."
"The charge is false. You can't prove it, sir."
"I shall not attempt to do so; but I am thoroughly convinced of it.After this act of treachery, I cannot permit you to spend anothernight in my house. You will please pack at once, and arrange for aremoval."
"I am entitled to a month's notice, Mr. Reynolds."
"You shall have a month's wages in lieu of it. I would as soon havea serpent in my house."
Mrs. Estabrook turned pale. She had never expected it would cometo this. She thought no one would ever be able to trace thesuppressed letter to her. She was not likely again to obtain socomfortable and desirable a position. Instead of attributing her illfortune to her own malice and evil doing, she chose to attribute itto Grant.
"I am to thank you for this, Grant Thornton," she said, in suddenpassion. "I was right in hating you as soon as I first saw you. Ifever I am able I will pay you up for this."
"I don't doubt it, Mrs. Estabrook," said Grant, quietly, "but Idon't think you will have it in your power."
She did not deign to answer, but hurried out of the room. In half anhour she had left the house.
"Now I can breathe freely," said the broker. "That woman was so fullof malice and spite that it made me uncomfortable to feel that shewas in the house."
"I am so glad that she has gone, papa," said Herbert.
That evening, after Herbert had gone to bed, Mr. Reynolds invitedGrant into his library.
"My boy," he said, "I have settled accounts with Mrs. Estabrook; nowI want to settle with you."
"Not in the same way, I hope, sir," said Grant.
"Yes, in the same way, according to your deserts. You have done me aservice, that which none can be greater. You have been instrumentalin restoring to me my only son."
"I don't want any reward for that, sir."
"Perhaps not; but I owe it to myself to see that this service isacknowledged. I shall raise your salary to fifteen dollar
s a week."
"Thank you, sir," said Grant, joyfully. "How glad my mother willbe."
"When you tell her this, you may also tell her that I have depositedon your account in the Bowery Savings Bank the sum of five thousanddollars."
"This is too much, Mr. Reynolds," said Grant, quite overwhelmed."Why, I shall feel like a man of fortune."
"So you will be in time, if you continue as faithful to business asin the past."
"It seems to me like a dream," said Grant.
"I will give you a week's leave of absence to visit your parents,and tell them of your good fortune."
CHAPTER XL -- CONCLUSION
There were anxious hearts in the parsonage at Colebrook. For someweeks the minister had shown signs of overwork. His appetite hadfailed, and he seemed weary and worn.
"He needs change," said the doctor. "A run over to Europe would dohim good. He has no disease; he only wants change."
"A trip to Europe," said Mr. Thornton, shaking his head. "It isimpossible. It has been the dream of my life, but a country ministercould not, in half a dozen years, save money enough for that."
"If your brother Godfrey would lend you the money, Grant might, intime, help you to pay it."
Godfrey never had forgiven Grant for running counter to his plans.
"I wish I could spare the money myself, Mr. Thornton," said thedoctor. "Five hundred dollars would be sufficient, and it would makea new man of you."
"It might as well be five thousand," said the minister, shakinghis head. "No, my good friend, I must toil on as well as I can, andleave European trips to more favored men."
It was noised about through the parish that the minister was sick,and the doctor recommended a European trip.
"It's ridikilus," was Deacon Gridley's comment. "I work harder thanthe minister, and I never had to go to Europe. It's just becauseit's fashionable."
"Mr. Thornton is looking pale and haggard," said Mrs. Gridley.
"What if he is? He ought to work outdoors like me. Then he'd knowwhat work was. Ac-cordin' to my notion, ministers have a pooty easytime."
Mr. Tudor was of the same opinion.
"It's all nonsense, deacon," he said. "Father wanted me to be aminister, and I'd have had a good deal easier time if I had followedhis advice."
"You wouldn't have had so much money, Mr. Tudor," said Miss LucretiaSpring, who heard this remark.
"Mebbe not; but what I've got I've worked for."
"For my part, although I am not near as rich as you are, I'd givetwenty dollars toward sending the minister abroad," said kindly MissSpring.
"I wouldn't give a cent," said Mr. Tudor, with emphasis.
"Nor I," said Deacon Gridley. "I don't believe in humorin' theclergy."
Saturday came, and the minister was worse. It seemed doubtful if hewould be able to officiate the next day. No wonder he becamedispirited.
Just before supper the stage drove up to the door, and Grant jumpedout.
"I am afraid he has been discharged," said Mr. Thornton, nervously.
"He does not look like it," said Mrs. Thornton, noticing Grant'sbeaming countenance.
"What is the matter with father?" asked Grant, stopping short as heentered.
"He is not feeling very well, Grant. He has got run down."
"What does the doctor say?"
"He says your father ought to take a three-months trip to Europe."
"Which, of course, is impossible," said Mr. Thornton, smilingfaintly.
"Not if your brother would open his heart, and lend you the money."
"He would not do it."
"And we won't ask him," said Grant, quickly, "but you shall go, allthe same, father."
"My son, it would cost five hundred dollars."
"And for twice as much, mother, could go with you; you would needher to take care of you. Besides she needs a change, too."
"It is a pleasant plan, Grant; but we must not think of it."
"That's where I don't agree with you. You and mother shall go assoon as you like, and I will pay the expenses."
"Is the boy crazy?" said the minister.
"I'll answer that for myself, father. I have five thousand dollarsin the Bowery Savings Bank, in New York, and I don't think I canspend a part of it better than in giving you and mother a Europeantrip."
Then the explanation came, and with some difficulty the minister wasmade to understand that the dream of his life was to be realized,and that he and his wife were really going to Europe.
"Well, well! who'd have thought it?" ejaculated Deacon Gridley."That boy of the minister's must be plaguey smart. I never thoughthe'd be so successful. All the same, it seems to me a mighty poorinvestment to spend a thousand dollars on racin' to Europe. Thatmoney would buy quite a sizable farm."
Others, however, less narrow in their notions, heartily approved ofthe European trip. When three months later the minister came home,he looked like a new man. His eye was bright, his face bronzed andhealthy, his step elastic, and he looked half a dozen years younger.
"This all comes of having a good son," he said, smiling, in reply tocongratulations, "a son who, in helping himself, has been alive tohelp others."
Half a dozen years have passed. Grant Thornton is now a young man,and junior partner of Mr. Reynolds. He has turned his money to goodaccount, and is counted rich for one of his age. He has renewed hisacquaintance with Miss Carrie Clifton, whom he met for the firsttime as a summer boarder in Colebrook, and from their intimacy itwouldn't be surprising if Grant should some day become the wealthyjeweler's son-in-law.
Uncle Godfrey has become reconciled to Grant's following his owncourse. It is easy to become reconciled to success.
Willis Ford is confined in a penitentiary in a Western State, havingbeen convicted of forgery, and there is small chance of hisamendment. He has stripped his stepmother of her last penny, and sheis compelled to live on the charity of a relative, who accords her agrudging welcome, and treats her with scant consideration. Thebitterest drop in her cup of humiliation is the prosperity of GrantThornton, toward whom she feels a fierce and vindictive hatred. Asshe has sown, so she reaps. Malice and uncharitableness seldom bringforth welcome fruit.
THE END
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