-mother. It seemed to him as if the earth were crumbling beneath his feet, for he had felt

for the moment the part he was playing, sat bolt upright on the sofa, w

a tone indicating utter

asked Philip, after a brief pause, n

," said Mrs. Brent coldly, enjoyi

nt, my late husband,

ou!" burst forth P

e me, you mean," answered

ieve you," said the boy,

oubt a lady's word," said

believe no one's word," sa

atisfy you. Sit down and

earest chair and regarde

he demanded, "if

n, on whose not very intelligent countenance there was an expression of greedy curiosity, "do

nswered Jo

bly that when you were very small your father-I mean Mr.

ve heard h

n what business he

pt a h

from towns near by, or drummers from the great cities, who had occasion to stay over a night. One evening, however, a gentleman arrived with an

moth

oom, treated with simple remedies, and in the morning seemed much better. Your father-your real father-seemed quite gratified, and preferred a request. It was that your new friend would take care of you for a week while he traveled to Cincinnati on business. After di

and Philip regarded he

?" he

id Mrs. Brent with an ironical smil

whether it is

h more to tell,"

ever. In fact, you seemed to feel quite at home among your new surroun

back!" rep

aving no children of their own, decided to retain you. Of course, some story had to be told to satisfy the villagers. You were represented to be the son of a friend, and this was readily belie

story in her calm, impassive countenance. A great fear fell upon him that she might be telling the truth. His features showed his contending emot

re of this?" he as

ent's word. He told me this story before I mar

ll me?" asked Phi

t would make

hat," said Philip,

uld I? I never pretended to like you, and now I have less

, but could not at once change t

I don't think I stood much higher in your estimation yesterday than toda

a mi

speedily returned, bringing with her a small d

see this befor

taking it from her hand

"they had this picture of you taken in the same dress in which you came to them, with a

s would be expected of a city child than of one born in the country. There was enough

more to show you

had been folded. Upon it was some writing, and Philip readily r

d thes

eclaimed. I have reared him as my own son, but think it best to enter this record of the way in which he came

this handwriting?"

ed Philip in

riumphantly, "you wil

ure?" asked Philip, w

s good a claim t

the p

s. Brent, nodding her head suspiciously. "I

meaning, but with the daguerreot

owing his enjoyment, "it's a good joke on Phil, isn't