d he talked more about them than for a long time
past. He was now beginning to feel that his Philippine experiences were
an old story, but he learned that they were quite as entertaining as
ever to these people. But they did not talk entirely about Archie. They
realised that this would be embarrassing to him, and they were careful
to guide the conversation into a discussion of music and literature, and
whatever else they imagined him to like. And so it was that the evening
passed very quickly, and it was time to leave before he knew it. Then he
was asked to be sure to call again, and Mr. Depaw, as he accompanied
him to the door, requested him to call at his office on the following
Wednesday, if possible. Archie promised, and walked home down the
avenue, wondering what it could be that Mr. Depaw wanted to talk to him
about. He didn't worry long about it, however, but went home and to
bed as quickly as possible, for he had formed a habit of rising at six
o'clock in the morning to study.

The days passed quickly until Wednesday, and the afternoon of that day
found Archie in the waiting-room of Mr. Depaw's office. He had not long
to sit there after sending in his card, for the busy man received him as
soon as he could get rid of his present visitor. He shook Archie warmly
by the hand as he entered, and then, pulling two chairs together, they
sat down. "I have been thinking for some time," said Mr. Depaw, "that
I need a sort of private secretary. Of course I have men here at the
office who take dictation from me, and who fulfil the duties of a
secretary to a certain extent, but I want a young man who can attend
somewhat to my personal affairs; I want one whom I can trust, and one
who is likely to grow as he works along, so that eventually he may
be able to fill any place I may have open for him." Then he stopped a
moment, and Archie felt his heart beating very fast beneath his coat. He
waited almost breathlessly to hear what Mr. Depaw would say next.

"Ever since I met you first," he at last went on, "I have somehow
thought that you are the kind of a young fellow I would like. You are
ambitious, you are persevering, and you are willing to learn. You say,
too, that you know shorthand, and I know that you are a good penman. You
have seen quite a little of the world, I am sure, and I think you
can prove yourself equal to almost any occasion. The only question is
whether you will care to give up reporting for a position of this