When Tony woke up in the morning, he looked about him with momentary bewilderment, wondering where he was.

George Spencer was already awake.

How did you sleep, Tony?” he asked.

Bully!”

“It must be late. Please look at my watch and tell me what time it is.”

“Half-past eight,” said Tony, complying with his request. “Why, it’s late.”

“Not very. I didn’t get up till ten yesterday. Well, what do you say to getting up and having some breakfast?”

“Am I to breakfast with you, Mr. Spencer?”

“To be sure you are, unless you have another engagement,” added Spencer, jocosely.

If I have it can wait,” said Tony. “How much do they charge here for board, Mr. Spencer?”

“Four or five dollars a day. I really don’t know exactly how much.”

“Four or five dollars a day!” exclaimed Tony, opening his eyes in amazement. “How much I shall cost you!”

“I expect you will cost me a good deal, Tony,” said the young man. “Do you know, I have a great mind to adopt you.”

“Do you really mean it, Mr. Spencer?”

“Yes; why shouldn’t I? I like what I have seen of you, and I have plenty of money.”

“It must be a nice thing to have plenty of money,” said Tony, thoughtfully.

There is danger in it, too, Tony. I am ashamed to tell you how much I have spent in gambling and dissipation.”

“I wouldn’t do it, Mr. Spencer,” said Tony, soberly.

Capital advice, Tony. I am going to keep you with me for fear I might forget, that is, if you think you like me well enough to stay.”

“I am sure to like you, Mr. Spencer, but you may get tired of me.”

“I’ll let you know when I do, Tony. How much income do you think I have?”

“A thousand dollars?” guessed Tony, who considered that this would be a very large income.

Spencer laughed.

It is over ten thousand,” he said.

Ten thousand!” exclaimed Tony. “How can you spend it all?”

“I did spend it all last year, Tony, and got a thousand dollars in debt. I gambled, and most of it went that way. But I’ll leave that off. I shall have you to take up my time now.”

“Did you know that man you played billiards with last night, Mr. Spencer?”

“I made his acquaintance in a gambling house, and I was well punished for keeping company with such a man.”

Tony was now nearly dressed.

You didn’t get your clothing from a fashionable tailor, I should judge,” said his new guardian.

No,” said Tony. “I haven’t been to fashionable tailors much.”

“After breakfast I must go with you and see you properly clothed. If you are to be my ward, I must have your appearance do me credit.”

“How very kind you are to me, Mr. Spencer,” said Tony, gratefully. “I don’t know how to repay you.”

“You’ve done something in that way already.”

“It seems like a dream that a poor boy like me should be adopted by a rich gentleman.”

“It is a dream you won’t wake up from very soon. Now if you are ready we will go down to breakfast.”

Tony hung back.

Won’t you be ashamed to have me seen with you in these clothes?” he asked.

Not a bit. Besides, you will soon be in better trim. Come along, Tony.”

They went down together, and entered the breakfast room. A considerable number of persons were there. Several stared in surprise at Tony as he entered and took his seat. Our hero noticed it, and it made him nervous.

Do you see how they look at me?” he said.

Don’t let it affect your appetite, Tony,” said his friend. “When you appear among them again you will have no reason to feel ashamed.”

A speech which Tony heard from a neighboring table did not serve to reassure him.

An overdressed lady of fifty said to a tall, angular young lady, her daughter:

“Elvira, do you see that very common-looking boy at the next table?”

“Yes, ma.”

“He looks low. He is not as well dressed as our servants. It is very strange they should let him eat at an aristocratic hotel like this.”

“Isn’t he............