that during that time I ran the gantlet of the glances both of Roger
Dale and the Honorable Ernest, without exciting the suspicions of
either. I am not sure that the former did not feel as if he had seen my
face before, for he stared at me wonderingly, as it seemed to me, and
for a moment I feared that all was over; but he turned carelessly away,
and observed to my employer, loud enough for his words to reach my
ears,--

"Nice looking girl that, Prime. If you don't look out, I'll offer her
double the salary across the street."

This observation directed all eyes to me, for there were several men in
the group, and among them my English admirer; but in his case, at least,
the adage regarding the blindness of Cupid was strikingly illustrated,
for though he examined me through his lorgnette with evident admiration,
he contented himself with echoing the sentiments of his financial guide,
only a little more euphemistically:--

"She's a daisy, Prime, a daisy. Reminds me too of some girl I've seen
somewhere. I've travelled so much, and seen so many girls, I'm always
noticing likenesses. Jolly expression that, 'She's a daisy.' Only heard
it yesterday; but I'm 'catching on' fast. How's Denver to-day?"

The Honorable Ernest seemed in truth to be "catching on" fast. From the
remarks that were let fall by persons in the office, I judged that he
must have made a great deal of money already under the tuition of Roger
Dale. The success of the latter was on every one's lips. He was coining
thousands daily, and was as shrewd as he was successful, according to
the verdict of those whose sayings I overheard. He was not very often in
our office, and I was glad to see that no intimacy existed between him
and Mr. Prime. Hints dropped in my presence by some of our less flighty
looking customers revealed to me the fact that there were those who
predicted for him a fall as rapid as had been his rise. But I could not
help feeling a little of my former jealousy return, as I noted how slack
and unprofitable our business was compared with his.

I tried my best to make myself of use; and my efforts were quickly
appreciated, for new and more important work was intrusted to me, under
the pressure of which I felt at first completely tired out at night, and
thankful to get to bed. As regards my domestic arrangements, I decided
finally not to change my lodgings, but by dint of explicit instructions
to my landlady and maid, I managed to have my presenc