Page 203 - In A New World

he has gone to the mines, and is hoping to find some gold there."

"Is this true?" asked Fox in a hollow voice.

"I will read you the letter, and show you the signature."

"I think it's a forgery."

"No chance of that. I know Harry Vane's handwriting well. But you don't

look well, Mr. Fox. I thought you would be pleased to hear that Harry had
escaped from the perils of shipwreck and is alive."

John Fox did not reply, but after examining the letter he rose with a rueful
countenance, and departed unceremoniously, a badly disappointed man.

"It'll cost me three dollars to get back," he groaned, "and I shall have to stop
at a hotel, for there is no train till to-morrow. 'Most ten dollars gone

altogether--just thrown away! I'm a very unlucky man."

The news he carried home brought grief to Mrs. Fox and Joel. Only Sally
seemed glad that Harry was still living. For so expressing herself she was
severely rebuked by her mother.