nothing to do with it."

In spite of Paul's optimism he was more than half of Melville's opinion.

Mr. Carter was well known throughout Burmingham as a stern, austere man
whom people feared rather than loved. He had the reputation of being
shrewd, close-fisted, and sharp at a bargain,--a person of few friends
and many enemies. He was a great fighter, carrying a grudge to any
length for the sheer pleasure of gratifying it. Therefore many a more
mature and courageous promoter than Paul Cameron had shrunk from
approaching him with a business proposition.

Even Paul did not at all relish the mission before him; he was, however,
too manly to shirk it. Hence that evening, directly after dinner, he
made his way to the mansion of Mr. Arthur Presby Carter, the wealthy
owner of the _Echo_, Burmingham's most widely circulated daily.

Fortunately or unfortunately--Paul was uncertain which--the capitalist
was at home and at leisure; and with beating heart the boy was ushered
into the presence of this illustrious gentleman.

Mr. Carter greeted him politely but with no cordiality.

"So you're Paul Cameron. I've had dealings with your father," he
remarked dryly. "What can I do for you?"

Paul's courage ebbed. The question was crisp and direct, demanding a
reply of similar tenor. With a gulp of apprehension the lad struggled
to make an auspicious opening for his subject; but no words came to his
tongue.

"Perhaps you brought a message from your father," suggested the great
man, after he had waited impatiently for an interval.

"No, sir. Father didn't know that I was coming," Paul contrived to
stammer. "I came on my own account. I wanted to know if you wouldn't
like to print the _March Hare_, a new monthly publication that is soon
coming out."

"The _March Hare_!" repeated Mr. Carter incredulously.

Paul nodded silently.

"Did I hear aright?" inquired Mr. Carter majestically. "Did you say the
_March Hare_?"

The title took on a ludicrous incongruity as it fell from his lips.

"Yes, sir," gasped Paul. "We are going to get out a High School paper
and call it the _March Hare_."

Mr. Carter made no comment. He seemed too stunned with amazement to do
so.

"We want to make it a really good paper," went on Paul desperately. "The
school has never had a paper before, but I don't see why it shouldn't.
We're all studying English and writing compositions. Why shouldn't we
write something for publication?"

"Why, indeed!"

The