allet and Mr. Cragin--were the senior partners
in the great house of Russell, Rollins & Co.

Replying satisfactorily to the inquiry of Mr. Cragin, I turned to the
older partner, and said:

'Well, Mr. Hallet, how does Frank get on?'

'Oh! very well--knows a little too much, like most young men of his age,
but he does very well.'

''Very well,' Mr. Ballet! d--d if he don't--he's the smartest boy
living--made a clean forty thousand for us not two months ago--forced it
on Hallet against his better judgment!' And Mr. Cragin laughed till he
showed all that was left of two rows of tobacco-stained teeth.

'How was it Cragin?' I asked, greatly pleased.

A short rap came at the office-door, and Frank entered, his hat in his
hand.

'Mother insists on my taking supper with her--will you go now, sir?' he
said, addressing me.

Before I could reply, Mr. Hallet, rather sharply, asked:

'Have you finished your letters for the steamer?'

'Yes, sir.'

'What have you said to Maclean, Maris & Co., about the gum-copal?'

'I will show you, sir.'

And going into the other room, Frank returned in a moment with an open
letter, still wet from the copying-press. Mr. Hallet took it and read it
over slowly and carefully, then handing it back, he said, in the
slightly pompous tone which was natural to him:

'That will do--you can go.'

I was rising to bid them 'good-evening,' when the senior said to me:

'Mr. Kirke, I dislike to trespass on your time, but I would like to
confer with you for a moment, on a private matter.'

'Certainly, sir.' And I added: 'Frank, tell your mother I will meet you
at the hotel in half an hour.'

'But I must be in Cambridge by eight o'clock,' replied the young man,
looking a little chop-fallen.

'Well, don't wait for me--I will see you to-morrow.'

Bidding me 'good-night,' he left; and Mr. Cragin, seeing that his
partner would be alone with me, left shortly afterward. As soon as
Cragin was gone, Mr. Hallet, opening the door, called:

'David!'

The book-keeper entered, and took a seat beside me.

'Mr. Kirke,' said Mr. Hallet, when the other was seated, 'I want to talk
with you and David about Frank. He has entangled himself with that
Southern girl, and, I hear, means to marry her. I strongly object to it.
I've not a particle of influence with him, and _you_ must prevent it.'

'Why should we prevent it?' I asked, rather sharply. 'What is there
against the young woman?'

'Nothing against her