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and Grant prepared to leave her.

β€œI think you are safe now,” he said.

β€œOh, but I shan't let you go yet,” said the girl. β€œYou must come in and see mother.”

Grant hesitated, but he felt that he should like to meet the mother of a young lady who seemed to him so attractive, and he allowed himself to be led into the yard. Mrs. Clifton was sitting in a rustic chair under a tree behind the house. There Grant and his companion found her. Carrie poured forth her story impetuously, and then drawing Grant forward, indicated him as her rescuer.

Her mother listened with natural alarm, shuddering at the peril from which her daughter had so happily escaped.

β€œI cannot tell how grateful I am to you for the service you have done my daughter,” she said, warmly. β€œYou are a very brave boy. There is not one in ten who would have had the courage to act as you did.”

β€œYou praise me more than I deserve, Mrs. Clifton. I saw the man was drunk, and I did not really run much risk in what I did. I am very thankful that I was able to be of service to Miss Carrie.”

β€œIt is most fortunate that you were at hand. My daughter might have been killed.”

β€œWhat do you think, mother? He is a minister's son,” said Carrie, vivaciously.

β€œThat certainly is no objection in my eyes,” said Mrs. Clifton, smiling, β€œfor I am a minister's daughter. Where does your father preach?”

β€œHis church is only a mile distant, in the village.”

β€œI shall hear him, then, next Sunday. Last Sunday Carrie and I were both tired, and remained at home, but I have always been accustomed to go to church somewhere.”

β€œPapa will be here next Sunday,” said Carrie. β€œHe can only come Saturday night on account of his business.”

β€œDoes he do business in New York?” asked Grant.

β€œYes; his store is on Broadway.”

β€œWe live on Madison Avenue, and whenever you are in the city we shall be very glad to have you call,” said Mrs. Clifton, graciously.

β€œThank you; I should like to call very much,” answered Grant, who was quite sincere in what he said. β€œBut I don't often go to New York.”

β€œPerhaps you will get a place there some time,” suggested Carrie.

β€œI should like to,” replied Grant.

β€œThen your father does not propose to send you to college?” It was Mrs. Clifton who said this.

β€œHe wishes me to go, but I think I ought to go to work to help him. He has two other children besides me.”

β€œIs either one a girl?” asked Carrie.

β€œYes; I have a sister of thirteen, named Mary.”

β€œI wish you would bring her here to see me,” said Carrie. β€œI haven't got acquainted with any girls yet.”

Mrs. Clifton seconded the invitation, and Grant promised that he would do so. In fact, he was pleased at the opportunity it would give him of improving his acquaintance with the young lady from New York. He returned home very well pleased with his trip to Somerset, though he had failed in the object of his expedition.





CHAPTER V β€” MRS. THORNTON'S PEARLS

The next Sunday Mrs. Clifton and her daughter appeared at church, and Grant had the pleasure of greeting them. He was invited with his sister to take supper with them on the next Monday afternoon, and accepted the invitation. About sunset he met his new friends walking, with the addition of the husband and father, who, coming Saturday evening from New York, had felt too fatigued to attend church. Mr. Clifton, to whom he was introduced, was a portly man in middle life, who received Grant quite graciously, and made for himself acknowledgment of the service which our hero had rendered his daughter.

β€œIf I ever have the opportunity of doing you a favor, Master Thornton, you may call upon me with confidence,” he said.

Grant thanked him, and was better pleased than if he had received an immediate gift.

Meanwhile Deacon Gridley kept his promise, and advanced the minister fifty dollars, deducting a month's interest. Even with this deduction Mrs. Thornton was very glad to obtain the money. Part of it was paid on account to Mr. Tudor, and silenced his importunities for a time. As to his own plans, there was nothing for Grant to do except to continue his studies, as he might enter college after all.

If any employment should offer of a remunerative character, he felt that it would be his duty to accept it, in spite of his uncle's objections; but such chances were not very likely to happen while he remained in the country, for obvious reasons.

Three weeks passed, and again not only Mr. Tudor, but another creditor, began to be troublesome.

β€œHow soon is your father going to pay up his bill?” asked Tudor, when Grant called at the store for a gallon of molasses.

β€œVery soon, I hope,” faltered Grant.

β€œI hope so, too,” answered the grocer, grimly.

β€œOnly three weeks ago I paid you thirty-three dollars,” said Grant.

β€œAnd you have been increasing the balance ever since,” said Tudor, frowning.

β€œIf father could get his salary regularly—” commenced Grant.

β€œThat's his affair, not mine,” rejoined the grocer. β€œI have to pay my bills regular, and I can't afford to wait months for my pay.”

Grant looked uncomfortable, but did not know what to say.

β€œThe short and the long of it is, that after this week your father must either pay up his bill, or pay cash for what articles he gets hereafter.”

β€œVery well,” said Grant, coldly. He was too proud to remonstrate. Moreover, though he felt angry, he was constrained to admit that the grocer had some reason for his course.

β€œSomething must be done,” he said to himself, but he was not wise enough to decide what that something should be.

Though he regretted to pain his mother, he felt obliged to report to her what the grocer had said.

β€œDon't be troubled, mother,” he said, as he noticed the shade of anxiety which came over her face. β€œSomething will turn up.”

Mrs. Thornton shook her head.

β€œIt isn't safe to trust to that, Grant,” she said; β€œwe must help ourselves.”

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