CHAPTER XXIV.
AN UNWELCOME VISITOR
"If Markham were only here!"
Frank Newton said this, with a sigh in a fervent way. His mother had some household duties to attend to, and had asked to be spared from the office for the rest of that afternoon. Frank had accompanied her as far as the neat, convenient cottage they now claimed as home.
"Yes, Frank," she said, in quite a sad tone, "it is a pity he is not here to share our good fortune, just as he did your first hard efforts to establish business."
"That business is certainly a winner now," said Frank. "Mother, I feel it my duty to take a day off, or even two, if necessary."
"To look for a trace of Markham?"
"Yes."
"That would be only right, Frank."
"It shall be to-morrow," said Frank. "Goodbye till supper time."
Frank walked slowly back to the office review-
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