ill be free from
your present occupation? In that case I will endeavor to find a
substitute until then."

Anton sorrowfully replied, "I can not at present say when I shall again
be master of my whole time; and, besides, I feel that, even as it is, I
tax your indulgence by many irregularities. Therefore, Mr. Schroeter, I
beg that you will fill up this post without any reference to me."

The merchant's brow grew furrowed and dark, and he silently bowed
assent. Anton felt as he closed the door that the estrangement between
them was now complete, and, resuming his place, he leaned his throbbing
head on his hand. A moment later Baumann was summoned to the principal,
and Jordan's situation conferred upon him. On returning to the office,
he went up to Anton and whispered, "I refused at first, but Mr. Schroeter
insisted. I am doing you an injustice." And that evening Mr. Baumann, in
his own room, read in the first book of Samuel the chapters treating of
the unjust Saul (the principal), and of the friendship between Jonathan
and the persecuted David, and strengthened his heart thereby.

The next day Anton was summoned to the baroness. Lenore and her mother
sat before a large table covered with jewel-boxes and toilette elegances
of every description, while a heavy iron chest stood at their feet. The
curtains were drawn, and the subdued light shone softly into the richly
furnished room. On the carpet glowed wreaths of unfading flowers, and
the clock ticked cheerfully in its alabaster case. Under the shade of
flowering plants sat the two love-birds in their silvered cage, hopping
from perch to perch, screaming ceaselessly, or sitting up quietly close
to each other. The whole room was beauty and perfume. "For how long?"
thought Anton. The baroness rose. "We are already obliged to trouble you
again," said she; "we are engaged in a very painful occupation." On the
table were all manner of ornaments, gold chains, brilliants, rings,
necklaces, gathered into a heap.

"We have been looking out all that we can dispense with," said the
baroness, "and now pray you to undertake to sell these things for us. I
have been told that some of them are of value, and as we are now in much
need of money, we turn here for help."

Anton looked in perplexity at the glittering heap.

"Tell us, Wohlfart," cried Lenore, anxiously, "is this necessary? can it
be of any use? Mamma has insisted upon setting apart for sale all our
ornaments, and whatever pl