"Shall I write and tell him that we have sold the land?" asked Mrs. Fenton. "No, I will call and see him this evening, as he requests." "But it will do no good." "I want to find out how much he is willing to give. I shan't let him know that the land is sold till he has made an offer." "Don't say anything to provoke Cousin Ferguson, Fred." "Don't worry, mother. I will be perfectly respectful." About half-past seven Fred rang the bell at the door of the house on East Thirty-Ninth Street. Evidently he was expected, for, on his inquiring for Mr. Ferguson, he was shown at once into the presence of his rich relation. "Good evening, Frederick," said Mr. Ferguson, With unusual graciousness. "How is your mother?" "Very well, thank you, sir." "I hope you are getting along comfortably." "Yes, sir; we have no right to complain." "That is well," said Mr. Ferguson condescendingly. "I presume the boy is making five dollars a week or some such matter," he soliloquized. "That is very well for a boy like him." "I made you an offer for your father's land in Colorado a few months ago," he went on carelessly. "Yes, sir." "You thought my offer too small." "Yes, sir. Twenty-five dollars would be of very little value to us." "There I disagree with you. Twenty-five dollars to a family situated as yours is, is no trifle." A faint smile flickered over Fred's face. He wondered what Mr. Ferguson would say if he knew precisely how they were situated. "Still," resumed the merchant, "you did right to refuse. I am inclined to think the land is a little more valuable than I supposed." Fred was rather surprised. Was Cousin Ferguson going to act a liberal part, and offer anything like a fair price for the land? He waited curiously to hear what he would say next. "Yes," continued Mr. Ferguson magnanimously, "I admit that I offered you too little for your land." "So I thought at the time, sir," Fred said quietly. "And I am now prepared to rectify my mistake. You may tell your mother that I will give her a hundred dollars for it." "A hundred dollars?" "Yes; that is probably more than it is worth at present, but I can afford to wait until it increases in value." Mr. Ferguson sat back in his armchair and fixed his eyes on Fred with the air of one who has made a most generous offer. "Did your mother authorize you to make a bargain?" he inquired. "No, sir." "She wished you to report to her, I suppose. This offer will hold good for twenty-four hours. You can come around to-morrow evening, and the matter can be settled at once. It may be well for your mother to come round also, as her signature will be required to the bill of sale." "I am sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Ferguson, but I don't think we will sell." "Young man," said Ferguson severely, "if you advise your mother to reject this offer, you will take upon yourself a great responsibility."