If Mrs. Bradley had been wiser, she would havefelt less confident of her nephew's producing a favorableimpression upon Mr. Wharton. She resolved toopen the subject at the breakfast table``I didn't know, Mr. Wharton,'' she commenced,``that you intended to engage a reader.''

　　``Nor did I propose to do so until last evening.''

　　``I think--you'll excuse me for saying so--thatyou will find that boy too young to suit you.''

　　``I don't think so. He reads very clearly anddistinctly.''

　　``If I had known you thought of engaging areader, I would have asked you to engage mynephew.''

　　``Indeed, I was not aware that you had a nephewin the city. Is he a boy?''

　　``No; he is a young man. He was twenty yearsold last June.''

　　``Is he unfavorably situated?''

　　``He has a place as salesman.''

　　``With what firm?''

　　``Gilbert & Mack.''

　　``Why, that is the same firm that employs myyoung friend. It is a good firm.''

　　``Perhaps it is, but my poor nephew receives avery small salary. He finds it very hard to getalong.''

　　``Your nephew is young. He will be promoted ifhe serves his employers well.''

　　``Thomas would have been glad to read to you inthe evening, sir,'' said Mrs. Bradley, commencingthe attack.

　　``But for my present engagement, I might havetaken him,'' said Mr. Wharton, politely.

　　``Have you engaged that boy for any length oftime?''

　　``No; but it is understood that he will stay whileI need him, and he continues to suit me. I have afavorable opinion of him. Besides, he needs the pay.

　　He receives but three dollars a week as a cash-boy,and has a sister to support as well as himself.''

　　``I am sorry,'' she said in an injured tone. ``Ihope you'll excuse my mentioning it, but I took theliberty, having been for twenty years in your employ.''

　　``To be sure! You were quite right,'' said heremployer, kindly. ``Perhaps I may be able to dosomething for your nephew, though not that. Tellhim to come and see me some time.''

　　``Thank you, sir,'' said the housekeeper.

　　There was one question she wanted to determine,and that was the amount of compensation receivedby Frank. She did not like to inquire directly fromMr. Wharton, but resolved to gain the informationfrom our hero. Some evenings later she had theopportunity. Mr. Wharton had an engagement, andasked her to tell Frank, when he arrived that hewas released from duty. Instead of this she receivedhim in the library herself.

　　``Probably Mr. Wharton will not be at home thisevening,'' she said. ``If he does not return in halfan hour, you need not wait.''

　　She took up her work, seated in Mr. Wharton'susual place, and Frank remained ready for duty.

　　``Mr. Wharton tells me you have a sister,'' shesaid.

　　``Yes, ma'am.''

　　``You must find it hard work to provide for heras well as yourself.''

　　``I do, or rather I did till I came here.''

　　``How much does Mr. Wharton pay you?'' sheasked, in an indifferent tone.

　　``Five dollars a week,'' answered Frank.

　　``You are lucky that you have such a chance,'' shesaid.

　　``Yes, ma'am; it is more than I earn, I know, butit is a great help to me.''

　　``And how much do you get as cash-boy?''

　　``Three dollars a week.''

　　``So you actually receive nearly twice as much fora couple of hours in the evening as for the wholeday.''

　　``Yes, ma'am.''

　　``What a pity Thomas can't have this chance,'' shethought.

　　When it was nine o'clock, she said:

　　``You need not wait any longer. Mr. Whartonwill not be home in time to hear you read.''

　　``Good-evening, Mrs. Bradley,'' said Frank.

　　``Good-evening!'' she responded, coldly.

　　``That boy is in the way,'' she said to herself,when she was left alone. ``He is in my way, andTom's way. I can see that he is artfully intriguingfor Mr. Wharton's favor, but I must checkmate him.

　　It's odd,'' she resumed, after a pause, ``but there issomething in his face and voice that seems familiarto me. What is it?''

　　* * * * *The following evening the housekeeper receivedanother visit from her nephew.

　　``How do, aunt?'' said Thomas Bradley, carelessly,as he entered the housekeeper's room.

　　``Very well, thank you, Thomas. I am glad youare here. I have been wanting to see you.''

　　``The old man isn't going to do anything for me,is he?''

　　``How can you expect it so soon? He doesn'tknow you yet. How much do you think he pays thecash-boy that reads to him in the evening?''

　　``I don't know.''

　　``Five dollars a week.''

　　``I wouldn't give up my evenings for that,'' he said.

　　``It isn't so much the pay, Thomas, though thatwould be a help. He might take a fancy to you.''

　　``That might pay better. When are you going tointroduce me?''

　　``This evening; that is, I will ask Mr. Whartonif he will see you.''

　　Mrs. Bradley entered the library, where Frankwas engaged in reading aloud.

　　``Excuse my interruption,'' she said; ``but mynephew has just called, and I should like to introducehim to you, if you will kindly receive him.''

　　``Certainly, Mrs. Bradley,'' said Mr. Wharton.

　　``Bring him in.''

　　The housekeeper left the room, but speedi............