ty of my arousing his
distrust by speculating in stocks and engaging in enterprises so nearly
in accord with his own business operations."

"Yet if I guess aright you would run greater risk of losing the support
of his countenance by following the hazardous course you propose, than
if you continued in the line of art that now engages you."

"Do you know--"

"I know nothing, but I fear the chances, Bertram."

"Then I am already defeated and must give up my hopes of happiness."

A smile thin and indefinable crossed the other's face. "No," said he,
"not necessarily." And sitting down by his nephew's side, he asked if he
had any objections to enter a bank. "In a good capacity," he exclaimed.

"No indeed; it would be an opportunity surpassing my hopes. Do you know
of an opening?"

"Well," said he, "under the circumstances I will let you into the secret
of my own affairs. I have always had one ambition, and that was to be at
the head of a bank. I have not said much about it, but for the last five
years I have been working to this end, and to-day you see me the
possessor of at least three-fourths of the stock of the Madison Bank. It
has been deteriorating for some time, consequently I was enabled to buy
it low, but now that I have got it I intend to build up the concern. I
am able to throw business of an important nature in its way, and I dare
prophesy that before the year is out you will see it re-established upon
a solid and influential footing."

"I have no doubt of it, sir; you have the knack of success, any thing
that you touch is sure to go straight."

"Unhappily yes, as far as business operations go. But no matter about
that;--" as if the other had introduced some topic incongruous to the
one they were considering--"the point is this. In two weeks time I shall
be elected President of the Bank; if you will accept the position of
assistant cashier,--the best I can offer in consideration of your total
ignorance of all details of the business,--it is open to you--"

"Uncle! how generous! I--"

"Hush! your duties will be nominal, the present cashier is fully
competent; but the leisure thus afforded will offer you abundant
opportunity to make yourself acquainted with all matters connected with
the banking system as well as with such capitalists as it would be well
for you to know. So that when the occasion comes, I can raise you to the
cashier's place or make such other disposal of your talents as will best
i