promptly. "If you will trust me with
another shirt, mother will make you an extra one to make up for the one
I have lost."

"Certainly you shall have the extra shirt, but you needn't supply the
place of the one lost."

"It is only fair that I should."

"That may be, and I am glad you made the offer, but the loss is of
little importance to me. It was no fault of yours that you lost it, and
you shall not suffer for it."

"You are very kind, sir," said Paul, gratefully.

"Only just, Paul."

Mr. Preston went to the bureau, and drew out another shirt, which he
handed to Paul.

"Let me suggest, my young friend," he said, "that you ride home this
time. It is late, and you might have another encounter with your friend.
I should like to see him with the shirt on," and Mr. Preston laughed
heartily at the thought.

Paul decided to follow his patron's advice. He had no idea of running
any more risk in the matter. He accordingly walked to Fourth avenue and
got on board the car.

It was nearly eleven o'clock when he reached home. As it was never
his habit to stay out late, his mother had become alarmed at his long
absence.

"What kept you so late, Paul?" she asked.

"I'll tell you, pretty soon, mother. Here's the shirt that is to serve
as a pattern. Can you cut out the new shirts by it?"

Mrs. Hoffman examined it attentively.

"Yes," she said; "there will be no difficulty about that. Mr. Preston
must be a pretty large man."

"Yes, he is big enough for an alderman; but he is very kind and
considerate, and I like him. You shall judge for yourself when I tell
you what happened this evening."

It will not be necessary to tell Paul's adventure over again. His
mother listened with pardonable indignation against Mike Donovan and his
companion.

"I hope you won't have anything to do with that bad boy, Paul," she
said.

"I shan't, if I can help it," said Paul. "I didn't want to speak to him
to-night, but I couldn't help myself. Oh, I forgot to say, when half the
shirts are ready, I am to take them to Mr. Preston."

"I think I can make one a day."

"There is no need of working so steadily, mother. You will be well paid,
you know."

"That is true; and for that reason I shall work more cheerfully. I wish
I could get paid as well for all my work."

"Perhaps Mr. Preston will recommend you to his friends, and you can get
more work that way."

"I wish I could."

"I will mention it to him, when I carry back the last