ble, who detected Mrs.
Osborn's jealousy.

"Have you read the President's financial message, Mr. Osborn?" asked Mr.
Kimball.

"No; I don't take any interest in such things."

"I have read it, Mr. Kimball," said Mrs. Osborn, "and I approve his
recommendations."

"So do I, with one exception," returned Mr. Kimball; and they began a
conversation in which none of the other boarders took an interest.

When supper was over, Andy and Sam went for a walk. Mr. Warren excused
himself on the ground that he was writing a poem for one of the
magazines.

"So you are with a jeweler," said Sam. "I may come up and buy a ring
some day. Do you allow a discount to friends?"

"I don't know yet. I will favor you if I can."

CHAPTER XVIII.

A PLOT AGAINST ANDY.

Some six weeks later, about the middle of the forenoon, a Western Union
Telegraph boy entered the store and handed Mr. Flint a telegram.

Tearing it open, the jeweler read the contents and seemed quite
agitated.

"Mr. Rich," he said, turning to the head clerk, "I have bad news. My
only brother is dangerously sick. This dispatch says that if I wish to
see him alive I must start at once."

"Where does he live?"

"In Denver, Colorado."

"That is a long way off."

"Yes. I don't see how I can leave the business, but I cannot bear to
think of my brother dying without my seeing him again."

"I think, sir, that I can keep things straight. I have been with you for
six years."

"True, and you know the business thoroughly. Besides, you can write or
telegraph me, if need be, every day."

"I will do so, sir. You can depend on me."

"Besides, you will have Andrew to help you. He is a good and faithful
boy."

To this Simon Rich made no reply, but there was a look on his face that
boded no good for Andy.

"I think I will go home at once and get ready. It is necessary that I
should start immediately. I shall have no time to give you directions,
but I will write you as soon as I reach Denver."

"Very well, sir," said Simon Rich, smoothly. "Make your mind quite easy.
All will go well during your absence."

Half an hour later, when Andy returned from an errand, Mr. Flint was
gone.

"I have a message for Mr. Flint," said Andy, as he entered the store.

"You can give it to me."

"I was told to deliver it to Mr. Flint personally."

"You will find that rather a hard job, young man," said Rich, with a
sneer.

"I don't understand you," returned Andy, in surpris