else."

Something in the boy's proud bearing appealed to the man. It had not
dawned on him until now that the lad actually considered the proposal a
strictly business one. He had thought that he came to wheedle and beg,
and Mr. Carter detested having favors asked of him. Calling Paul back,
he motioned him to sit down.

"I'm not ready to wind up this matter quite so quickly," he observed.
"Let us talk the thing over a little more fully. Suppose I were to make
you a proposition."

Leaning forward, he took a cigar from the library table and, lighting
it, puffed a series of rings into the air.

"There are certain things that I want to do in Burmingham," he announced
in leisurely fashion. There was a twinkle of humor beneath the shaggy
brows. "Your father, for example, doesn't take the _Echo_. He has none
too cordial feeling toward me personally, and in addition he says my
paper is too conservative. Then there are firms that I can't get to
advertise with us--business houses in the town that are not represented
on our pages. And lastly, Judge Damon has constantly refused to do a
set of political articles for me. Put those deals through for me, and
I'll print your _March Hare_."

He leaned back in his chair, regarding Paul with a provoking smile.

"But how can I?" gasped Paul, bewildered.

Mr. Carter shrugged his shoulders.

"That's up to you," he said. "Sometimes fools rush in where angels fear
to tread. Your father, for instance, will certainly want this venture of
yours to succeed. Tell him that if he takes the _Echo_ instead of the
_Mirror_, or in addition to it, it will be a big help to you."

"But my father--" burst out Paul, then stopped suddenly.

"I know he doesn't like me," put in Mr. Carter calmly. "We differ in
politics and we've had one bad set-to on the subject. He won't take my
paper--wouldn't do it for love or money. I know perfectly well how he
feels."

"So that's why you want to make him do it?"

"Never you mind, sonny. I want you to get him to. That's enough," was
the curt retort.

Paul flushed.

"And with regard to the advertising I mentioned," continued Mr. Carter,
"I am sure you can easily carry that through. The Kimball and Dalrymple
boys are in your class, aren't they?"

"Yes, sir."

"Tell them the _Echo_ wants an ad. from the firm of George L. Kimball
and from Dalrymple and Company."

"Oh!"

"As for Judge Damon--well, if you can't manage the judge, I can't tell
you how to do i