ight, which had been set aside by Clinton for his meeting
with Arthur, arrived. It came in "clouds, and storm, and darkness," with
darting lightning and crashing thunder, and all the wild fierceness
which ever characterizes a thunder-storm in that climate.

Arthur had been nervous and ill at ease all day; a fact which all
noticed, but which was attributed to anxiety on Guly's account, who,
contrary to expectation, was still unable to be about.

Evening came, the store was closed, and all the clerks were out, save
Quirk, Arthur, and Wilkins, who still lingered within, talking of Guly,
and commenting on the unusual wildness of the storm. Through the day,
Quirk had managed to slip a scrap of writing-paper into Arthur's hand,
which had been duly read, and destroyed, and both now waited an
opportunity to act upon what it contained.

Quirk quietly lighted a cigar, and, seating himself, turned
good-naturedly to Wilkins, remarking:--

"I suppose you know, old boy, that I got my discharge from these
premises t'other day."

"Indeed!" returned the head-clerk, coldly, striking a match to light a
cigar for himself.

"Yes, cleared out, within a fortnight, bag and baggage; all on account
of that deuced little spree we had here the other night. By-the-by, Mr.
Wilkins, I believe _you_ have had a finger in this pie. How could you
treat a fellow so?"

"I told you I would report you."

"Well, 'twasn't hardly fair, I vum. I didn't do more than the rest, but
I suffer all alone. However, I don't bear anybody any ill will, and hope
when we part it will be on good terms."

"I hope so, I'm sure."

"I've a bottle of prime old Port left of the other night; what say you
to taking a drink this stormy time, to our future good friendship?"

"I've no objections--most certainly."

Quirk went to the other end of the store, and took a bottle and some
glasses from under the counter. He filled three of the glasses, and
handed one to each of his friends, and kept the other for himself.

"Here's oblivion to the past, and brightness for the future."

Wilkins smiled, nodded, and the glasses were drained to the bottom.

At this moment Quirk caught sight of Jeff, who had just been in to see
Guly, but who now stood with his great eyes fixed upon the group before
him, with a mixture of wonder and sadness in his glance.

"Ah, Jeff! oughtn't to forget you to-night. Have some?"

"Don't care, massa."

Quirk filled another glass to the brim.

"No