The card which he placed in the hand of Nathan contained the name of

EPHRAIM SHARP,

Attorney-at-Law,

Centerville

“Very well, Mr. Sharp. We will be ready to receive him. Good-morning, sir.”

“Good-morning, Mr. Middleton. I hope you will not repent your decision.”

“That isn’t likely,” said Nathan to himself gleefully, when he was left alone. “A thousand dollars a year, and the boy’s board won’t probably cost me more’n a hundred. We don’t pamper ourselves with luxurious living. It is wrong. Besides, it is wasteful. I must go and acquaint Mrs. Middleton with the news.”

“Corinthia, my dear, we are about to have a boarder,” he said, on reaching the presence of his fair partner.

Corinthia’s eyes flashed, not altogether amiably.

“Do you mean to say, Mr. Middleton, you have agreed to take a boarder without consulting me?”