only a year old, and his origin has been concealed from him. My
brother, being childless, has allowed him to suppose that he was his
own son. Undoubtedly he meant to provide for him in his will, but,
as often happens, put off will-making till it was too late. The
estate, therefore, goes to me, and the boy is unprovided for. This
does not so much matter, since I am willing to educate him, and give
him a fair start in life, if he acts in a manner to suit me. I do
not, however, feel called upon to pay an exorbitant price for his
tuition, and, therefore, shall be obliged to forego placing him at
Inglewood School. Yours, etc.,

"ALLAN ROSCOE."

"When this letter is sent, I shall have taken the decisive step,"
thought Mr. Roscoe. "I must then adhere to my story, at whatever
cost. Now for the other."

His reply to the letter of Socrates Smith, A. M., was briefer, but
likely to be more satisfactory to the recipient. It ran thus;

"SOCRATES SMITH, A. M.

"DEAR Sir:-Your letter is at hand, and I find it, on the whole,
satisfactory. The price you charge-three hundred dollars per
annum--is about right. I hope you are a firm disciplinarian. I do
not want Hector too much indulged or pampered, though he may expect
it, my poor brother having been indulgent to excess.

"Let me add, by the bye, that Hector is not my nephew, though I may
inadvertently have mentioned him as such, and had no real claims