e.

"Yes, sir," Paul replied. "We had a class meeting to-day. I couldn't put
your deal through, Mr. Carter. I'm bringing back the money."

He laid the bill on the publisher's desk.

Mr. Carter paid no heed to the money. Instead he kept his eyes on the
boy before him, studying him through the smoke that clouded the room.

"You couldn't pull it off, eh?" he said sharply. "I'm sorry to hear
that. What was the trouble?"

"I didn't try to pull it off."

"Didn't try!"

"No, sir."

"You mean you didn't advise your staff to sell out?"

"I spoke against it."

"Against it!" snarled Carter, leaning forward in his chair.

The room was breathlessly still.

"You see," explained the boy, "the more I thought about it the less I
approved of what you wanted me to do. I tried to think it was straight
but I didn't really think so. When the fellows asked my honest
opinion, I simply had to tell them the truth."

Mr. Carter made no comment, nor did his eyes leave Paul's face, but he
drew his shaggy brows together and scowled.

"So," went on Paul desperately, "I've brought your money back to you.
It's the same bill you gave me. I didn't spend it. Somehow I couldn't
bring myself to."

There was an awkward pause. Paul got to his feet.

"I'm--I'm--sorry to have disappointed you, Mr. Carter," he murmured in a
low tone as he moved across the room to go. "You have been mighty kind
to us boys."

The door was open and he was crossing the threshold before the man at
the desk spoke; then he called:

"Hold on a minute, son."

Paul turned.

"Shut that door."

Wondering, the boy obeyed.

Mr. Carter took up the greenback lying before him.

"So you've been carrying that money round with you ever since I gave it
to you, have you?"

"Yes, sir."

"It's a long time; some weeks."

"Yes," stammered Paul. "I ought to have brought it back to you before."

"I could charge you interest on it."

The smile that accompanied the speech escaped Paul.

"I'll pay whatever you think proper," he said.

"Nonsense, boy! I was only joking," the publisher hastened to say. "But
tell me something; what was it you wanted that money for? You must have
needed it badly or you would not have been threatening to sell out your
Liberty Bond."

"I was going to buy a typewriter, sir."

"Oh! And you didn't get it. That was a pity."

The man tapped the edge of the bill he held against the desk
thoughtfully. Paul waited for him to speak; but when aft