a fair, even a liberal, price, where she is suited. You see,
therefore, that neither you nor I need borrow any trouble on this
point!"

This letter relieved Chester of all anxiety. All things seemed bright
to him. What he did for the comic weeklies, added to his work for Prof.
Hazlitt, brought him in ten dollars a week on an average. This, added
to the five dollars a week from Mr. Fairchild, gave him an aggregate
salary of fifteen dollars a week, so that he was always amply provided
with money.

"Cousin David," said Felix to the bookkeeper one day, "I don't see how
it happens that Chester is so well supplied with cash."

"Is he?" asked Mullins.

"Yes; he has just bought a new suit, a new hat and new shoes. They must
have cost him altogether as much as thirty dollars. How much wages do
you pay him?"

"Five dollars a week."

"And he pays all that for board, for he told me so."

"It does seem a little mysterious. Perhaps his friend the artist helps
him."

"No, he doesn't. I intimated as much one day, but he said no, that he
paid his own way. One evening last week, I saw him going into Daly's
Theatre with a young fellow handsomely dressed--quite a young swell.
They had two-dollar seats, and I learned that Chester paid for them. He
doesn't have any chance to pick up any money in this office, does he?"
asked Felix, significantly.

"I can't say as to that. I haven't missed any."

"I wish he would help himself. Of course, he would be discharged, and
then you might find a place for me."

"I may do so yet."

"Is there any chance of it?" asked Felix, eagerly.

"In about two weeks, Mr. Fairchild is going West on business. He will
be gone for a month, probably. In his absence, I shall run the office."

"I see."

"And I shall probably find some reason for discharging Chester Rand,"
added the bookkeeper, significantly. "In that case, you will hold
yourself ready to slip into his place."

"Bully for you, Cousin David," exclaimed Felix, in exultation.

CHAPTER XIX.

MR. FAIRCHILD LEAVES THE CITY.

About ten days later, Chester found himself alone in the office with
his employer, the bookkeeper having gone out to call upon a man who had
commissioned the broker to buy him a house.

"Chester," said Mr. Fairchild, "has Mr. Mullins mentioned to you that I
start next Monday on a Western trip?"

"I heard him say so to a gentleman in here on business."

"I shall have to leave Mr. Mullins to take charge of t