"Is your mother dead, then?" inquired Mrs. Vivian, with quick sympathy.
"I have neither father nor mother," Frank answered gravely.
"Poor boy! And yet you do not fall into temptation."
"I have no time for that, ma'am; I have to earn my living."
"If I could get Fred to take a position it might be a benefit to him," said Mrs. Vivian, thoughtfully. "But the question now is, how I may be able to find him."
"When did you see him last?" asked Frank.
"About three o'clock this afternoon I gave him seventy-five dollars, and sent him to pay a bill. I was perhaps imprudent to trust him with such a sum of money; but for a few days past he has been more steady than usual, and I thought it would show my confidence in him if I employed him in such a matter."
"I should think it would, ma'am."
"But I am afraid Fred fell in with some of his evil companions, and let them know that he was well provided with money. That would be enough to excite their cupidity."
"Who are the companions you speak of?" asked Frank.