There was an agitated, silent pause while he broke the seals and took outtwo documents. 0ne was the mortgage on his farm and the other a receiptin full for the money owed on it! The Deacon turned the papers to andfro, gazed on them with a dazed, uncertain air and then exclaimed:

"Why, mother, do look! _Is_ this so? Do I read it right?"

"Certainly, you do," exclaimed Diana, reading over his shoulder. "Somebody'spaid that debt, uncle!"