s
her sister's son and her nearest relative. Her savings were destined
for him, and in her attachment she was not conscious of his disagreeable
characteristics. She had occasionally given him a five-dollar bill to
eke out what he termed his miserable pay, and now whenever he called he
didn't spare hints that he was out of pocket, and that a further gift
would be acceptable. Indeed, the only tie that bound him to his aunt was
a mercenary one.

But the housekeeper, sharp-sighted as she ordinarily was, did not detect
the secret motive of such attention she received from her nephew. She
flattered herself that he really loved her, not suspecting that he was
too selfish to love anybody but himself.

"Thomas," she said, with a sudden thought, "I may be able to help you
to an increase of your income. Mr. Wharton needs somebody to read to him
evenings. On my recommendation he might take you."

"Thank you, aunt, but I don't see it. I don't want to be worked to
death."

"But, think, Thomas," said his aunt, earnestly. "He is very rich. He
might take a fancy to you and remember you in his will."

"I wish somebody would remember me in his will. Do you really think
there's any chance of the old boy's doing something handsome for me?"

"That depends on yourself. You must try to please him."

"Well, I must do something. What'll he give?"

"I don't know yet. In fact, there's another reading to him just now."

"Then there's no chance for me."

"Listen to me. It's a boy he's picked up in the streets, quite unsuited
for the place. He's a cash-boy at Gilbert & Mack's. Why, that's where
you are," she added, with sudden recollection.

"A cash-boy from my own place? What's his name?"

"Fowler, I believe."

"I know him--he's lately come. How did he get in with the old man?"

"Mr. Wharton fell in the street, and he happened to be near, and helped
him home."

"You'll have to manage it, aunt."

"I'll see what I can do to-morrow. He ought to prefer my nephew to a
strange boy, seeing I have been twenty years in his service. I'll let
you know as soon as I have accomplished anything."

"I don't half like the idea of giving up my evenings. I don't believe I
can stand it."

"It is only for a little while, to get him interested in you."

"Maybe I might try it a week, and then tell him my health was failing,
and get him to do something else for me."

"At any rate, the first thing must be to become acquainted."

Thomas now withdre