to some employment for my
evenings." Then, aloud:

"Thank you, sir; I will come."

Five minutes later Frank was ushered into a handsome dining-room. The
dinner was already on the table, but chairs were only set for three.
The one at the head of the table was of course occupied by the old
gentleman, the one opposite by Mrs. Bradley, his housekeeper, and one at
the side was placed for Frank.

"Mrs. Bradley," said the old gentleman, "this is a young gentleman who
was kind enough to help me home after the accident of which I just spoke
to you. I would mention his name, but I must leave that to him."

"Frank Fowler, sir."

"And my name is Wharton. Now that we are all introduced, we can talk
more freely."

"Will you have some soup, Mr. Fowler?" asked the housekeeper.

She was a tall thin woman, with a reserved manner that was somewhat
repellant. She had only nodded slightly at the introduction, fixing her
eyes coldly and searchingly on the face of our hero. It was evident that
whatever impression the service rendered might have made upon the
mind of Mr. Wharton, it was not calculated to warm the housekeeper to
cordiality.

"Thank you," he answered, but he could not help feeling at the same time
that Mrs. Bradley was not a very agreeable woman.

"You ought to have a good appetite," said Mr. Wharton. "You have to work
hard during the day. Our young friend is a cash-boy at Gilbert & Mack's,
Mrs. Bradley.

"Oh, indeed!" said Mrs. Bradley, arching her brows as much as to say:
"You have invited strange company to dinner."

"Do your parents live in the city, Frank--I believe your name is Frank?"

"No, sir; they are dead. My mother died only a few weeks since."

"And have you no brothers and sisters?"

"I have one sister--Grace."

"I suppose she is in the city here with you?"

"No, sir. I left her in the country. I am here alone."

"I will ask you more about yourself after dinner. If you have no
engagement, I should like to have you stay with me a part of the
evening."

"Thank you, sir."

Frank accepted the invitation, though he knew Jasper would wonder what
had become of him. He saw that the old gentleman was kindly disposed
toward him, and in his present circumstances he needed such a friend.

But in proportion as Mr. Wharton became more cordial, Mrs. Bradley
became more frosty, until at last the old gentleman noticed her manner.

"Don't you feel well this evening, Mrs Bradley?" he asked.

"I have a li