"Yes, it is I--your benefactor, the stingy old file, as you so gratefully call me," answered the old man sternly.

"Then--you--are--not dead!"

"Not at present. How long I may live I cannot say, but long enough, I hope, to do an act of justice."

"I am very sorry," stammered Tremlett. "Forgive me, sir."

"I may forgive you, because nothing has happened that cannot be remedied; but I shall never again trust you."

"Won't you take me back into your service, sir?" entreated John Tremlett desperately.

"Never!" said Mr. Baldwin emphatically.

"What will become of me?" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the miserable young man, shedding maudlin tears. "I am penniless."

"I will not wholly cast you off. I will authorize Mr. Brief to pay you eight hundred dollars during the next year, in monthly installments. I hope you will turn over a new leaf."

"I will, sir; I will indeed," said Tremlett; but Mr. Baldwin, knowing his past hypocrisy, did not put much faith in his penitence.

"I hope so, for your own sake," he said briefly. "You can go now, sir. At the end of a month you can come back, and Mr. Brief will pay you your monthly allowance."

"How can I live till then?" asked Tremlett. "Can't he pay it sooner?

I have but a dollar left."

"Sell some of your jewelry, that diamond ring, for instance. It will maintain you till the money is payable."

John Tremlett left the office crestfallen, and cursing his foolish prodigality, which had lost him a fine fortune.

"What are your plans, Mr. Baldwin?" asked the lawyer. "Shall you remain in Montreal?"

"No, Mr. Brief; there is nothing to keep me here now. I shall make my home in the States. This boy I have tested and found to be true gold. He will not deceive me as John Tremlett has. With him and his aunt I propose to make my home for the little time I have left."

"A very fine boy!" said Mr. Brief, regarding Ben in quite a different light now that he was indirectly acknowledged to be a rich man's heir.

"I shall leave you to manage my property here, Mr. Brief, for the present at least. You will transmit the income to me as it accrues."

"You shall not repent your confidence, sir," said the lawyer. "How soon do you leave the city?"

"To-morrow. Will that suit you, Ben?"

"Oh, yes, Uncle Matthew."

"He is a lucky boy," thought Mr. Brief, as the two went out. "His future is provided for."

Chapter x.x.xVIII

Conclusion

"Ben," said Mr. Baldwin, "let us talk over your plans. Do you wish to remain at the store, or would you like to get a better education?"

"I would get a better education if I could afford it, sir."

"You can afford it on an income of a thousand dollars a year."

"A thousand dollars a year!" exclaimed Ben.

"That is the income I shall allow you. Out of this you will be expected to pay all of your expenses."

"How can I thank you, sir? Would you object to my giving Aunt Jane a part of the money?"

"Yes, I shall object."

Ben's countenance fell.

"But, Uncle Matthew," he said, "I don't like to live in luxury, while Aunt Jane is straitened."

"Your feelings do you credit, my boy; but I mean to take care of your Aunt Jane myself. She is my niece, and you--I am not sure whether you are related to me at all, but I want you to call me Uncle Matthew all the same."

"I shall like to, sir. No uncle could be kinder."

"That is well," said the old gentleman. "You know, Ben, I have no one else to care for. Now, do you think your Aunt Jane will be willing to move to Boston?"

"I am sure she will like it."

"Then I shall hire or buy a comfortable house, install her as mistress, require you to live with me while you are attending school, and tyrannize over you all."

There was a bright smile on the old man's face. He was looking forward to the new life with antic.i.p.ations of a happiness and comfort which had long been strangers to him.

"How happy we shall all be, Uncle Matthew! Even Aunt Jane will forget to look on the dark side."

"I hope so, Ben. I think we can be happy together."

"There is one thing I forgot to tell you," he said later. "I shall expect you to pay your board out of your income, you know. If you fail to make regular payments, we shall have to bundle you out."

"I will remember," said Ben, smiling.

By arrangement Ben went up to Milltown alone to tell his aunt the news. He entered the little house with a sober face.

"I see you bring bad news, Benjamin," said Mrs. Bradford mournfully.

"You will have to leave the house, Aunt Jane."

"And go to the poorhouse! I knew it would turn out that way," and Mrs. Bradford put her handkerchief to her eyes.

"What's the matter?" asked Tony.