re about it. Follow my advice, and all
will yet be well."

Arthur sat moodily down, and gave himself up to thought. He fancied
there was no possible way to extricate himself from the difficulty, and
that it would be useless to argue with such a man as his employer. With
flushed cheek and thoughtful air he rose and took his place behind the
counter.

Wilkins watched him anxiously, and then, as though Guly were the elder,
instead of the younger brother, he sought him for a consultation. He was
busy with a customer, and Wilkins noticed that he was displaying some of
Blanche's new work, and wondered whether it was that, or interest in his
brother's behalf, which brought such a bright glow to his cheek.

"It is very beautiful," said the lady who was buying, examining one of
the collars closely, "Very beautiful; is that your lowest, Master
Pratt?"

"The very lowest, Madame. I have been gratified in being able to show
these articles to you _first_. They are quite new, and I know how well
you like the first choice."

"No one else, then, has bought from these before?"

"No, Madame."

"It is high, but I'll take it."

"Yes, Madame."

As the lady left the store, Guly turned to Wilkins, with a bright smile:

"You see I have kept my promise to Blanche, and have sold her work to a
'choice customer.'"

"I see," said Wilkins. "A word with you, Guly."

Guly stepped toward him.

"Arthur has--"

"Poor Arthur! true enough! how could I forget him; what was the matter,
Wilkins? I have been so busy, you know."

"He has got into sad trouble; I feel very sorry for him; but I can't
help him an iota, that I see; it's too bad, I declare."

Wilkins then gave Guly the details, as far as he knew them, of Arthur's
misfortune.

"Well, Mr. Wilkins, this is outrageous!" exclaimed Guly, with a
vehemence unusual to him. "It would require the virtue and forbearance
of a saint to bear up under such things. It isn't the money so much,
though I'm very sorry he lost it, but it is his good name; to have that
sullied, even in thought! It is enough to drive any one to desperation."

"Don't tell Arthur so, for the world," said Wilkins, very earnestly.

"No, no, I'll not--can I go to him?"

"Of course."

"Dear Arthur," said Guly, beckoning his brother a little one side, "I
know all. You know how I sympathize with you, my brother; but cheer up,
we can live through it all; and you will be, in the end, thoroughly
acquitted of what Mr. Delanc