d come to this decision he felt better. He
determined to lose no time in calling upon Mr. Carter.

After supper he brushed his hair carefully, and made himself look as
well as circumstances would admit. Then he bent his steps toward Twelfth
Street, where, as the reader will remember, Mr. Carter lived with his
niece.

He ascended the steps and rang the bell. It was opened by Hannah,
who recognized him, having admitted him on the former occasion of his
calling.

"Good-evening," said Phil pleasantly. "Is Mr. Carter at home?"

"No, sir," answered Hannah. "Didn't you know he had gone to Florida?"

"Gone to Florida!" repeated Phil, his heart sinking. "When did he
start?"

"He started this afternoon."

"Who's asking after Uncle Oliver?" asked a boy's voice.

Looking behind Hannah, Phil recognized the speaker as Alonzo Pitkin.

CHAPTER XXI.

"THEY MET BY CHANCE."

"Who was asking after Uncle Oliver?" demanded Alonzo superciliously.

"I was," answered Philip.

"Oh! it's you, is it?" said Alonzo, rather disdainfully.

"Yes," answered Phil calmly, though he felt provoked at Alonzo's tone,
which was meant to be offensive. "You remember me, don't you?"

"You are the boy that got round Uncle Oliver, and got him to give you a
place in pa's store."

"I deny that I got round him," returned Phil warmly. "I had the good
luck to do him a favor."

"I suppose you have come after money?" said Alonzo coarsely.

"I sha'n't ask you for any, at any rate," said Phil angrily.

"No; it wouldn't do any good," said Alonzo; "and it's no use asking ma,
either. She says you are an adventurer, and have designs on Uncle Oliver
because he is rich."

"I shall not ask your mother for any favor," said Phil, provoked. "I am
sorry not to meet your uncle."

"I dare say!" sneered Alonzo.

Just then a woman, poorly but neatly dressed, came down stairs. Her face
was troubled. Just behind her came Mrs. Pitkin, whose face wore a chilly
and proud look.

"Mr. Carter has left the city, and I really don't know when he will
return," Phil heard her say. "If he had been at home, it would not have
benefited you. He is violently prejudiced against you, and would not
have listened to a word you had to say."

"I did not think he would have harbored resentment so long," murmured
the poor woman. "He never seemed to me to be a hard man."

Phil gazed at the poorly dressed woman with a surprise which he did not
attempt to conceal, for in her he re