mr. wharton sat at dinner with his nephew andthe housekeeper. he had been at home for sometime, and of course on his arrival had been greetedwith the news of our hero's perfidy. but, to theindignation of mrs. bradley and john, he was obstinatelyincredulous.
``there is some mistake, i am sure,'' he said. ``sucha boy as frank is incapable of stealing. you maybe mistaken after all, john. why did you not lethim stay till i got back? i should like to haveexamined him myself.''
``i was so angry with him for repaying yourkindness in such a way that i instantly ordered him outof the house.''
``i blame you, john, for your haste,'' said his uncle.
``it was not just to the boy.''
``i acted for the best, sir,'' he forced himself tosay in a subdued tone.
``young people are apt to be impetuous, and iexcuse you; but you should have waited for my return.
i will call at gilbert & mack's, and inquire of frankhimself what explanation he has to give.''
``of course, sir, you will do what you think proper,''
said his nephew.
this ended the conversation, and mr. wharton,according to his declared intention, went to gilbert& mack's. he returned disappointed with theinformation that our hero was no longer in the store.
i now return to mr. wharton at dinner.
``here is a letter for you, sir,'' said thehousekeeper. ``it was brought by the postman this afternoon.''
mr. wharton adjusted his spectacles and read asfollows:
``no.-- wall street.
``dear sir: will you have the kindness to call atmy office to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock, if itsuits your convenience? i have an importantcommunication to make to you, which will, i think beof an agreeable character. should the time namednot suit you, will you have the kindness to name yourown time?
``yours respectfully,``morris hall.''
``read that, john,'' said his uncle, passing himthe letter.
``morris hall is a lawyer, i believe, sir,'' said john.
``have you any idea of the nature of the communicationhe desires to make?''
``no idea at all.''
``if it would relieve you, sir, i will go in yourplace,'' said john, whose curiosity was aroused.
``thank you, john, but this is evidently a personalmatter. i shall go down there to-morrow at theappointed time.''
john was far from suspecting that the communicationrelated to frank, though he had heard the dayprevious from nathan graves of the boy's escape.
he had been very much annoyed, and had given hisagent a severe scolding, with imperative orders torecapture the boy, if possible.
it was not without a feeling of curiosity that mr.
wharton entered the law office of mr. hall. heannounced himself and was cordially welcomed.
``you have a communication to make to me,'' saidmr. wharton.
``i have.''
``tell me all without delay.''
``i will, sir. this is the communication i desire tomake.''
the story of john wade's treachery was told, andthe means by which he had imposed upon his uncle,but the lawyer carefully abstained from identifyingthe lost grandson with frank fowler.
when the story was concluded, mr. wharton said:
``where is my grandson--my poor george's boy?
find him for me, and name your own reward.''
``i will show him to you at once, sir. frank!''
at the word, frank, who was in an inner office.
entered. mr. wharton started in amazement.
``frank!'' he exclaimed. ``my dear boy, is it youwho are my grandson?''
``grandfather!''
mr. wharton held out his arms, and our hero,already attached to him for his kindness, was foldedin close embrace.
``then you believe i am your grandson?'' saidfrank.
``i believe it without further proof.''
``still, mr. wharton,'' said the lawyer, ``i want tosubmit my whole proof. mrs. parker!''
mrs. parker entered and detailed her part in theplot, which for fourteen years had separated frankfrom his family.
``enough!'' said mr. wharton. ``i am convinced--i did not believe my nephew capable of such baseness.
mrs. parker, you shall not regret your confession.
i will give you a pension which will relieveyou from all fear of want. call next week on mr.
hall, and you shall learn what provision i have madefor you. you, frank, will return with me.''
``what will mr. john say?'' asked frank.
``he shall no longer sleep under my roof,'' said mr.
wharton, sternly.
frank was taken to a tailor and fitted out with ahandsome new suit, ready-made for immediate use,while three more were ordered.
when mr. wharton reached home, he entered thelibrary and rang the bell.
to the servant who answered he said:
``is mr. john at home?''
``yes, sir; he came in ten minutes ago.''
``tell him i wish to see him at once in the library.
summon the housekeeper, also.''
surprised at the summons, john wade answeredit directly. he and mrs. bradley met at the doorand entered together. their surprise and dismaymay be conjectured when they saw our hero seatedbeside mr. wharton, dressed like a young gentleman.
``john wade,'' said his uncle, sternly, ``the boywhom you malign, the boy you have so deeplywronged, has found a permanent home in this house.''
``what, sir! you take him back?''
``i do. there is no more fitting place for himthan the house of his grandfather.''
``his grandfather!'' exclaimed his nephew and thehousekeeper, in chorus.
``i have abundant proof of the relationship. thismorning i have listened to the story of your treachery.
i have seen the woman whose son, representedto me as my grandson, lies in greenwood cemetery.
i have learned your wicked plans to defraud him ofhis inheritance, and i tell you that you have failed.''
``i shall make my will to-morrow, bequeathing allmy property to my grandson, excepting only an annualincome of two thousand dollars to yourself. andnow i must trouble you to find a boarding place.
after what has passed i do not desire to have you inthe family.''
``i do not believe he is your grandson,'' said johnwade, too angry to heed prudential considerations.
``your opinion is of little consequence.''
``then, sir, i have only to wish you good-morning.
i will send for my trunks during the day.''
``good-morning,'' said mr. wharton, gravely, andjohn wade left the room, baffled and humiliated.
``i hope, sir,'' said the housekeeper, alarmed forher position; ``i hope you don't think i knew mr.
frank was your grandson. i never was so astonishedand flustrated in my life. i hope you won'tdischarge me, sir--me that have served you so faithfullyfor many years.''
``you shall remain on probation. but if frankever has any fault to find with you, you must go.''
``i hope you will forgive me, mr. frank.''
``i forgive you freely,'' said our hero, who was ata generous disposition.
