When night came they found that they had taken in five dollars more
than the day previous.
"It's on account of fixing up the window," said Richard.
"Partly that, and partly getting used to customers and the run of
stock," replied Frank.
They were soon on the way home. Richard had sent his letter to his
mother the day previous, and was now expecting one in return.
"Here is your usual letter," said Mattie Massanet, appearing at the
door.
"Thank you," replied Richard. "Excuse me if I look at it at once. I
want to see if it contains anything important."
Richard tore the letter open and began to read. His eyes had glanced
over scarcely a dozen lines when he uttered a cry of dismay.
And no wonder, for the communication contained the startling
intelligence that fire had visited Mossvale, the Dare cottage was
burned to the ground, and his mother and sisters were left without a
home.
CHAPTER XXXI.
TOM CLOVER'S STATEMENT.
The news from Mossvale was certainly a cruel blow to Richard, and, as
he read the letter written by his sister Nancy, his cheeks paled.
"What is it?" asked Frank, seeing that something was wrong. "No one
dead, I hope."
"No, not as bad as that," replied Richard faintly; "but bad enough.
Read it."
Frank took the letter and glanced at it hastily.
Pages:
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196