dvice."

"I would rather be in your position, old and poor as you are, than in
his."

"Chester," added Mr. Perkins, as they walked on, "this Ralston is a
more contemptible rascal than I thought. If my old father were living,
I would give half the money I possess. While I had a dollar in my
pocket he should share it."

"I say the same, Mr. Perkins."

When they reached the Fifth Avenue Hotel, Paul Perkins shook hands with
Chester.

"Good-night," he said. "You won't see me for two weeks, perhaps, but
I'll be sure to find you out when I return to the city. I hope you
won't have any trouble with that scoundrel in the office."

"Thank you, Mr. Perkins, but I am afraid I shall."

"Don't mind it if you do. Remember that you will always have a friend
in Paul Perkins."

CHAPTER XXIII.

CHESTER IS DISCHARGED.

"Well," said David Mullins, addressing his cousin Felix, "did you go to
the Fifth Avenue Hotel last evening?"

"Yes, Cousin David."

"Did you see that man from Minneapolis and Chester?"

"Yes."

"Where did they go?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know?" frowned Mullins. "And why not, I should like to
know?"

"Because I went to Palmer's Theater."

"So that is the way you spent the quarter I gave you?" exclaimed the
bookkeeper, indignantly.

"I couldn't go to Palmer's on that."

"Did you go with them?" asked Mullins, hopefully.

"No, but Mr. Perkins gave me money to go."

"What made him do it?"

"He thought I was a friend of Chester."

"How much did he give you?"

"I occupied a dollar seat," answered Felix, noncommittally.

He did not care to mention that the sum given him was two dollars, half
of which he still had in his pocket.

"Humph! so he gave you a dollar. Why didn't you take it and stay with
them?"

"Because he gave it to me expressly for the theater. It would have
looked strange if I had stayed with them after all."

"I would have found a way, but you are not smart."

Felix did not make any reply, being content with having deceived his
cousin as to Mr. Perkins' gift.

"I say, Cousin David, aren't you going to bounce that boy pretty quick
and give me his place?"

"Yes, as soon as I get a good excuse."

"Will you do it to-day?"

"No; it would look strange. You may be sure I won't keep him long."

At this point Chester came into the office and was surprised to see Mr.
Mullins and Felix already there. Usually the bookkeeper did not show up
till half an hour later.