There was more than one happy heart at the farm that night.  Mr. Waring had accomplished the great object of his life; and as for Frank and his mother, they felt that the black cloud which had menaced their happiness had been removed, and henceforth there seemed prosperous days in store.  To cap the climax of their happiness, the afternoon mail brought a letter from Mr. Frost, in which he imparted the intelligence that he had been promoted to a second lieutenancy.

“Mother,” said Frank, “you must be very dignified now, You are an officer’s wife.”

CHAPTER XXXIII.  CONCLUSION

The restitution which Squire Haynes was compelled to make stripped him of more than half his property.  His mortification and chagrin was so great that he determined to remove from Rossville.  He gave no intimation where he was going, but it is understood that he is now living in the vicinity of Philadelphia, in a much more modest way than at Rossville.

To anticipate matters a little, it may be said that John was recently examined for college, but failed so signally that he will not again make the attempt.  He has shown a disposition to be extravagant, which, unless curbed, will help him run through his father’s diminished property at a rapid rate whenever it shall come into his possession.

The squire’s handsome house in Rossville was purchased by Henry Morton—­I must still be allowed to call him thus, though not his real name.  He has not yet taken up his residence there, but there is reason to believe that ere long there will be a Mrs. Morton to keep him company therein.

Not long since, as he and Frank lay stretched out beneath a thick-branching oak in the front yard at the farm, Mr. Morton turned to our hero and said, “Are you meaning to go to college when your father comes home, Frank?”

Frank hesitated.

“I have always looked forward to it,” he said, “but lately I have been thinking that I shall have to give up the idea.”

“Why so?”

“Because it is so expensive that my father cannot, in justice to his other children, support me through a four years’ course.  Besides, you know, Mr. Morton, we are four hundred dollars in your debt.”

“Should you like very much to go to college, Frank?”

“Better than anything else in the world.”

“Then you shall go.”

Frank looked up in surprise.

“Don’t you understand me?” said Mr. Morton.

“I mean that I will defray your expenses through college.”

Frank could hardly believe his ears.

“You would spend so much money on me!” he exclaimed incredulously.  “Why, it will cost a thousand dollars.”

“Very well, I can afford it,” said Mr. Morton.  “But perhaps you object to the plan.”

“How good you are to me!” said Frank, impulsively seizing his friend’s hand.  “What have I done to deserve so much kindness?”