, it shall always be in a state to await your orders.
Real estate is valuable property, and as good a way as any in which to
dispose of surplus funds."

Theodore came out from behind the screen to try to offer some word of
thanks, but Mr. Stephens had pushed open the green baize door and
vanished.

CHAPTER XXIX.

SOME MORE BABIES.

Mrs. Jenkins' Tommy stood on the sidewalk in front of the store, in a
nicely fitting new suit, white vest and kid gloves. It was not yet the
middle of the afternoon, but the great store was closed and shuttered
and barred. A gentleman came briskly down the street and halted before
the young man, with a surprised look on his face as he questioned:

"How now, Tommy, what's to pay? It isn't possible your firm has failed
and foreclosed? What are you all bolted and barred at this time of day
for?"

Tommy arched his eyebrows.

"Have you been out of town, sir?" he asked, in a tone which plainly
said, "It isn't possible that you've been _in_ town and not heard the
cause of this closed store?"

"Just so," answered the good-natured gentleman. "I've been West, and I
want to see Messrs. Stephens and Mallery in a twinkling."

"Can't do it," said Tommy, promptly, and with the air of a policeman.
"They are otherwise engaged, both of them--all three of them, I may say.
Mr. Hastings is in it, too. There's been a double wedding. Haven't you
heard of it, sir?"

"Not a word," answered his listener, with commendable gravity. "They've
been as whist as mice. Tell us all about it."

"Well, sir, it was to-day at twelve o'clock, in the First Church--Dr.
Birge's, you know. He married 'em. Splendid ceremony, too! and they
looked--well, they all looked just grand, I tell you!"

"Don't doubt it in the least, Tommy, but who the mischief were they?"

"Why, Mr. Mallery and Miss Hastings, and Mr. Hastings and Miss Winny
McPherson, and they're both of our firm, you know; at least Mr. Hastings
he's our confidential clerk now, and we all say that he'll be partner
one of these days, as sure as guns. We all went to the wedding, every
one of us, cash boys and all; then we all went to Mr. Stephens', and had
just the grandest kind of a dinner with the brides and grooms. And Dr.
Birge and Mr. Ryan they toasted them."

"Wine or brandy?" interposed the gentleman, slily.

"Neither!" answered indignant Tommy, with flashing eyes and glowing
cheeks. "They had pure water, ice water. They don't have any wine or
bra