ear him
from every obligation? If Dick Ralston and others could be lucky, why
not he? This was the way Mullins reasoned. He never stopped to consider
what would be the result if things did not turn out as he hoped--if he
lost instead of won.

Some weeks passed. The bookkeeper met with varying success at the
gaming table. Sometimes he won, sometimes he lost, but on the whole his
debt to Dick Ralston didn't increase. There were reasons why the
gambler decided to go slow. He was playing with Mullins as a cat plays
with a mouse.

But our chief concern is with Chester Rand. He found a comfortable room
on Twelfth Street, not far from the office, which, with board, only
cost him five dollars per week. This, to be sure, took all his salary,
but he was earning something outside.

On account of so much time being taken up by his work for the
professor, he did little for the comic weeklies. But occasionally,
through his friend, the artist, a five or ten-dollar bill came into his
hands. He bought himself a new suit, and some other articles which he
found he needed, and wrote home to ask his mother if she wished any
assistance.

"Thank you for your offer," she replied, "but the money Miss Dolby pays
me defrays all my housekeeping expenses and a little more. She is
certainly peculiar, but is good-natured, and never finds fault. She is
a good deal of company for me. Of course, I miss you very much, but it
cheers me to think you are doing well, and are happy, with good
prospects for the future. There is nothing for you in Wyncombe, as I
very well know; that is, nothing you would be willing to accept.

"That reminds me to say that Mr. Tripp is having a hard time with boys.
He discharged Abel Wood soon after you went to New York. He has tried
two boys since, but doesn't seem to get suited. When I was in the store
yesterday, he inquired after you. 'Tell him,' he said, 'that if he gets
tired of New York, he can come back to the store, and I will pay him
three dollars a week!" He said this with an air of a man who is making
a magnificent offer. I told him you were satisfied with your position
in the city. I must tell you of one mean thing he has done.

"He has been trying to induce Miss Dolby to leave me and take board
with him, offering to take her for two dollars a week less. She told me
of this herself. 'I wouldn't go there if he'd take me for nothing,' she
said, and I believe she meant it. She is not mean, and is willing to
pay