“No, no, my boy; I must finish it now; I should not have courage to begin again. Well, they were married, and went to their city home—for he was rich, and lived in great style—while I was left to my loneliness and desolation, without a thought or care. But I swore revenge, deep and fearful, and since I have had means to secure it, I have sought to keep my oath! For awhile I lost track of them, but finally followed them to this city, though I only heard to-day that Jessie was dead. She died nearly fifteen years ago, and I never knew it until to-day. And to-day I have begun my work of revenge in earnest.” He then narrated how he had married the children, and sent them home with the certificate made out in due form in their pockets. “Now Ralph,” he continued, “what I want of you is to help me fulfill my oath. I want you to watch this boy and defeat every plan of his life. Be his evil genius, as it were. I have given the father a heavy blow in marrying his son to a poor girl, for he is as proud as Lucifer. I don’t care what you do or how you do it, only ruin him, and his girl wife, too. I want them to experience a little of what I have suffered, and of what has made me an old man before my time. I look more than fifty, and am not yet forty. In return for your promise to do this I will bequeath you all my fortune. I may not live to see the end of it—I do not expect to, for I have heart disease, and am liable to die at any time. Will you do it?” Ralph had been deeply interested in his uncle’s story, but he hesitated now to give the desired promise. At last he said: “I don’t know, uncle, about it; it’s a pretty hard task to set a fellow, to avenge another man’s injuries, especially when he’s in no way concerned himself.” “Perhaps you’re more concerned in it than you think,” replied his uncle, eying him wickedly. “I should like the fortune well enough, but I thought—I have always thought I was to have that anyway.” “Oh, really, young man, have you? Pray, who informed you to that effect?” sneered the squire. Ralph blushed angrily. “I have been brought up with that hope always held out to me. If any one is to blame in the matter I think it’s you,” he retorted. “Indeed! But let me ask you, have you any conscientious scruples about undertaking this affair?” “Hang it, no!” answered Ralph. “Conscience and I don’t trouble each other much. But how do I know but you may get a grudge against me sometime, and then where will the fortune go?” “Very well, young man, you can do as you choose about it,” replied the squire, bitterly. “But as long as a fortune of half a million does not seem to tempt you, perhaps I can whisper a word in your ear that will have more weight with you; and you will be glad to seek revenge on your own account.” “Well, what is it?” impatiently demanded the boy. “Presently, presently; but first tell me why you thought you would be my heir.” “Why, I am your nephew for one thing, and——” “My nephew, are you? Can you prove it?”