rl's anxiety was
much relieved.

"The pater is all right, Alice," he said; "he just doesn't understand
me, that's all. He's done everything in the world for me and I'm more
grateful than he realizes; but I can't let him keep tying on my bib, can
I? Now I've got to show him that I'm a man too, and then he'll come
around all right. I'm going over to New York to-night and I'll tell you
all about it when I come back. I'm not afraid of being turned down.
You're a girl and you'd be mortified to death if any one turned you
down, but with us men it's different. You remember what I told your
father--and I meant it. Watch me do the hydra act until I get located,
and then--well, then I'll start a branch mail-order department and push
you off the map, Miss--Manager."

When he returned Alice welcomed him full of anticipation.

"What have you gone into?" she demanded.

The boy's eyes fell as they met hers. "Well"--he hesitated--"I haven't
gone into anything. I guess Mrs. Gorham is right about New York being a
hard place to get started in, and I can't exactly claim to be a
'finished product' yet, can I? You see, they all knew I was Stephen
Sanford's son, and they were as nice to me as could be. They asked me up
to dinner, and then I knew it was all off for getting a job. The heads
of big concerns don't ask their office-boys to their homes to meet their
families, you know. But I'm not a bit discouraged. I'm going to find
something if I have to tear a hole in the road chasing it."

A few evenings later Allen called again upon the Gorhams. It would have
been apparent even to those less observant than Alice and Eleanor that
something had happened, for the boy's face glowed with suppressed
excitement.

"I think I've found a job," he announced, scarcely waiting for the
formality of greetings. "I'm not sure, but I want to talk it over with
you."

"What is it, Allen?" cried Alice, expectantly.

"It's a whole lot better than it sounds, I'm sure. I'm afraid you'll
laugh when I tell you. It's selling books."

"A book agent!" Mrs. Gorham exclaimed.

"There! that's just what I was afraid of." Allen's expression showed
mingled distress and despair. "It really looks like a corking good
chance, yet it's a ten to one shot that I'll be laughed out of taking it
before I begin."

"Don't mind what I said." Mrs. Gorham hastened to atone for her
involuntary exclamation. "I suppose it can be a perfectly honorable
occupation, but I can't help t