r was ushered into the
parlor.

"I suppose you don't remember me," he said to Stephen Watson.

"I can't say I do," replied Stephen, eying him.

"I knew your brother better than I did you. I am Harry Miller, who used
to go to school with you both in the old red schoolhouse on the hill."

"I remember your name, but I should not have remembered you."

"I don't wonder. Time changes us all. I am sorry to hear that your poor
brother is dead."

"Yes," answered Stephen, heaving a sigh proper to the occasion, which
was intended to signify his grief at the loss. "He was cut down like the
grass of the field. It is the common lot."

"His wife died earlier, did she not?"

"Yes."

"But there was a son?"

"Yes."

"How old is the boy?"

"Just turned sixteen."

"May I see him? I should like to see the son of my old deskmate."

"Ah!" sighed Stephen. "I wish he were here to meet you."

"But surely he is not dead?"

"No; he is not dead, but he is a source of anxiety to me."

"And why?" asked the visitor, with concern. "Has he turned out badly?"

"Why, I don't know that I can exactly say that he has turned out badly."

"What is the matter with him, then?"

"He is wayward, and instead of being willing to devote himself to his
school studies like my son Ralph, he has formed an extraordinary taste
for the circus."

"Indeed! but where is he?"

"He is traveling with Barlow's circus."

"In what capacity?"

"As an acrobat."

Henry Miller laughed.

"I remember," he said, "that his father was fond of athletic sports. You
never were."

"No, I was a quiet boy."

"That you were, and uncommonly sly!" thought Miller, but he did not
consider it polite to say so. "Is the boy--by the way, what is his
name?"

"Christopher. He is generally called Kit."

"Well, is Kit a good gymnast?"

"I believe he is."

"When did he join the circus?"

"Only yesterday. In fact it is painful for me to say so, he ran away
from a good home to associate with mountebanks."

"And what are you going to do about it?"

"He is so headstrong that I have thought it best to give him his own
way, and let him see for himself how foolish he has been. Of course he
has a home to return to whenever he sees fit."

"That may be the best way. I should like to see the young rascal. I
would follow up the circus and do so, only I am unfortunately called to
California on business. I am part owner of a gold mine out there."

"I trust you have been pro