you do?"

"I make pictures. I will show you a couple," and Chester produced a
copy of _The Phoenix_.

"Why, I didn't think they paid more'n a quarter apiece for such
pictures."

"It's lucky for me that they pay higher than that."

"What was you doin' out West?"

"I went partly to see the country."

"I s'pose it cost you considerable money?"

"Yes, traveling is expensive."

"You'd better have put the money in the bank."

"I don't think so."

"Boys have foolish notions. I s'pose you was sorry to hear that Miss
Dolby had gone away?"

"No, I want mother to have a few months' rest."

"Your mother'll miss her board."

"No, for I shall make it up to her."

"You talk as if you was rich, Chester."

"I am not so rich as you, Mr. Tripp."

"You seem to be spending more money; some day you'll be put to it to
get along."

But that has not yet come. Two years have passed, and Chester is still
in the employ of _The Phoenix_, but he now receives forty dollars per
week. He has sold his other two lots in Tacoma for five thousand
dollars each, and still has the cheaper lots he bought as an
investment. He could sell these at a handsome profit, but will hold
them a while longer.

About a year ago he received intelligence from Edward Granger that his
stepfather had died suddenly of heart trouble, brought on by an undue
use of alcoholic mixtures. Edward concluded: "Now there is nothing to
mar my mother's happiness. I live at home and manage her business,
besides filling a responsible place in a broker's office. We hope you
will pay us a visit before long. We have never forgotten your kindness
to me in my time of need."

A month since Mr. Fairchild was surprised by receiving a remittance
from Tacoma. His old bookkeeper, David Mullins, remitted to him the
amount he had stolen at the time of his hurried departure from New
York, with interest up to date.

"I hope, Mr. Fairchild," he concluded, "you will now forgive me for my
treachery. I feel great satisfaction in paying my debt. I have been
assisted by a fortunate investment in outside lots. I am glad to hear
that Felix is doing well. You were kind to retain him."

Felix is really doing well, and bids fair to make a good business man.
He was weak and influenced to evil by his cousin; but with good
surroundings he is likely to turn out creditably.

Chester retains the friendship and good opinion of his first friend,
Carl Conrad, and is a favorite visitor at the house