come back again some day."

"On that condition I will take it," said Paul, "and some day I will
bring it back."

A slight noise above, as of some one stirring in sleep, excited the
apprehensions of the two, and warned them that it was imprudent for them
to remain longer in conversation.

After a hurried good-by, Aunt Lucy quietly went upstairs again, and
Paul, shouldering his bundle, walked rapidly away.

The birds, awakening from their night's repose, were beginning to carol
forth their rich songs of thanksgiving for the blessing of a new day.
From the flowers beneath his feet and the blossom-laden branches above
his head, a delicious perfume floated out upon the morning air, and
filled the heart of the young wanderer with a sense of the joyousness of
existence, and inspired him with a hopeful confidence in the future.

For the first time he felt that he belonged to himself. At the age of
thirteen he had taken his fortune in his own hand, and was about to mold
it as best he might.

There were care, and toil, and privations before him, no doubt, but
in that bright morning hour he could harbor only cheerful and trusting
thoughts. Hopefully he looked forward to the time when he could fulfil
his father's dying injunction, and lift from his name the burden of a
debt unpaid. Then his mind reverting to another thought, he could not
help smiling at the surprise and anger of Mr. Mudge, when he should find
that his assistant had taken French leave. He thought he should like to