"I have always done my best to further my aunt's interests."
"You were her secretary for awhile, I believe."
"I was, until she took in an upstart of a boy in my place."
"Young Frost seems to be a nice young man."
"He is a snake in the grass. He has prejudiced my aunt against me."
"I know nothing about that."
"Then you cannot possibly let me have more money?" asked Vernon, as he arose to go.
"No; I cannot. Will you sign for the check or not?"
"I will sign," was the desperate answer, and, having done so, the young man took the check and hurried off with it.
"Matters have come to a pretty pass," he hissed between his set teeth when on the street once more. "Who knows but what she'll soon cut me off altogether. I hope she comes home as soon as she gets my letter, and that we get her into a private asylum without any trouble."