"Are you tired of living in Montana?" "I don't like it as well as living in my old home." "Nor do I. With your help I propose to settle up my affairs, convert what property I have here into money, and go back to the East." "I am very glad to hear you say so, Mr. Nixon." "It will probably require six months. Then we will start. But you must stay with me there. I have no relations that I care for. I consider you my adopted son, and will see that you are provided for." Steps were immediately taken to settle up Mr. Nixon's estate. To anticipate matters a little, it was found, after this was effected, that he possessed close upon seventy-five thousand dollars, though he had paid up the sum of his defalcation and made Gerald a gift of ten thousand dollars. At length the time came when Mr. Nixon was ready to start for the East. The old man brightened up with anticipation. "Gerald," he said, "I feel ten years younger. I really begin to think that I shall live a few years longer." "I am sure you will, Mr. Nixon." "How much I owe you! I little thought when you came to me, a mere boy, that you would do me so much good. John Nugent knew what he was about when he selected you as his messenger. How long is it since you came to me?" "It must be nearly a year and a half." "I should have been in my grave before this if you had not come. Do you ever hear from your stepmother?" "I have not heard from her." "She is still at Portville?" "I suppose so." "You won't leave me and go to live with her?" "There is no danger of that," answered Gerald. Mr. Nixon breathed a sigh of relief. "Stay with the old man till he dies!" he pleaded. "You won't be sorry." "I will, Mr. Nixon." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XXXV JOHN GRAVES REAPPEARS WE must now go back to Portville and gather some information about Gerald's family. Mrs. Lane lived in the old mansion that had belonged to his father. Abel also lived with her. He had teased her to go to the city to live, but she hesitated, partly from motives of prudence and partly from a thought of the temptations to which she feared Abel would yield. She did not find her son a source of satisfaction. He was irritable and unpleasant in his manner, and a source of anxiety to her. One day he came in and broke out: "What do you think I heard this morning?" "I don't know. You had better tell me at once." "Gerald is on his way home." "Is he indeed? Who told you?" "Munroe Hill. He lives near Mr. Nugent, you know. Mr. Nugent told him. Are you going to let him come here?" "I don't know," replied Mrs. Lane, hesitatingly. "I presume he has some money." "Then let him pay board. You can't afford to support him." "People might say ill-natured things, as I received all my money from his father." "Let them talk! It is none of their business. That reminds me, ma. Can't you let me have five dollars?"