troubled.

"Wife," he said, "I am afraid we shall have to bid good-by to the old
farm to-morrow."

"Do you really think the squire will foreclose, Sterling?"

"I know he will. I called on him to-day, and begged and pleaded with him
to extend the mortgage another year, but it was all in vain."

"I don't see how people can be so hard-hearted," said Mrs. Grant,
indignantly.

"It's the squire's nature. He says that business is business."

"I thought perhaps Andy might do something. He has five hundred dollars,
and maybe a little more."

"It would do no good, wife. I hinted that I might be able to pay a part
of the mortgage, but the squire wouldn't hear of it. He said the whole
or none."

"I am sure Andy would help us if he could."

"I know that, but the mortgage is for three thousand dollars. It is
quite beyond his ability to lift."

"I am afraid you are right, Sterling," said his wife, with a sigh. "I
thought perhaps Andy would be here by this time."