ive dollars a week! What would Silas Tripp
say to that or his enemy, the bookkeeper.

"I accept," he answered, promptly.

CHAPTER XXV.

CHESTER MEETS ANOTHER ARTIST.

"Where do you wish me to work?" asked Chester, after a pause.

"You can work at home, but you can call at the office every day to
leave your work and receive instructions."

"All right, sir. When do you wish me to commence?"

"At once. Have you any work ready? I asked because we want to get out
the first number as soon as possible."

"I have one sketch and have several ideas jotted down."

"Good! Deliver as much as possible to-morrow."

Chester returned home in a high state of exultation. He would be paid
less for individual sketches, but, on the other hand, he would have a
steady income and an assured market for all he might produce. It seemed
a wonderful promotion from five dollars a week to twenty-five. To be
sure, when in the real estate office he had picked up extra
compensation for outside work, but this was precarious and could not be
depended on. With twenty-five dollars a week he would feel rich. This
set him to considering that he must have a better room if he was to do
work at home. In the same house where he now occupied a hall bedroom
was a large, square room well lighted with two windows, well furnished
and having a good writing desk, left by some previous tenant in part
payment of arrears of rent, which he could have for five dollars a
week. He had often thought he would like to occupy it, and wished he
might find an agreeable roommate who would share the expense with him.
Now he felt that he could bear the expense alone. He lost no time in
securing it and moving his few belongings in.

Mrs. Crosby, his landlady, was rather surprised.

"You must be doing well," she said.

Chester smiled.

"I have been discharged from my position in the real estate office," he
said.

"Then," said the landlady, in some dismay, "isn't it imprudent to take
a more expensive room?"

"I have secured a much better place."

"Oh! that alters the case. Is it likely to be permanent?"

"If I lose it I will go back to my old room."

"I am sure I am glad to hear of your good luck, Mr. Rand. It is very
seldom that a young man of your age----"

"Call me a boy. I am not a young man yet."

"You seem to be getting on as well as a young man. I think you are real
smart."

"You mustn't flatter me, Mrs. Crosby. You will make me vain. I forgot
t