lood slowly
oozing from his wounded temple down the blue-veined cheek, could not
dissipate; and whenever, during that long day, he went into Wilkins'
darkened room to look upon the young form lying there, it was not in
sorrow and love, but silence and coldness.

When Mr. Delancey came to the store that day, which was at an hour later
than usual, Wilkins joined him at his high desk, and held with him a
long conference. The merchant had shown many signs of impatience during
its pending, and no slight evidences of anger. As Wilkins turned away,
Mr. Delancey sat looking down through the store for some time, leaning
stiffly back in his chair meanwhile. The moment he saw Quirk disengaged,
he called his name in his sharp, peculiar tone of voice, at the same
time beckoning to him with his forefinger. Quirk flung down the piece of
goods he was about folding, and a scarce perceptible pallor spread over
his coarse cheeks, as, darting a malicious glance at Wilkins, he
approached the high desk.

"So, sir, you took the liberty to gamble in my store last night, eh?"

"I wasn't the only one."

"Hold your tongue, sir. You dare not tell me you didn't propose it?"

"Mallory, Adams and Arthur Pratt joined me."

"You knew the store's rules better than they. Do you know that I think
any one that gambles will steal?"

"Then your store is full of thieves."

"The more need, then, of making an example for their benefit. Take your
place, sir; you have a fortnight's warning to find another situation,
and quit."

With cheeks glowing with anger and fierce resentment, Quirk went back to
his place, knowing there was no use in arguing the matter with such a
man as Delancey; who had, in fact, acted entirely upon Wilkins'
suggestion; whereas the others would no doubt have shared the same
fate, had he acted upon his own. The head clerk had laid the whole
matter before him exactly as it was, quietly throwing in his own advice
and ideas on the subject, and there were reasons why Mr. Delancey didn't
choose to differ very materially from what his head clerk said.

After he had dismissed Quirk, the merchant every now and then turned his
eye upon Wilkins' room door, as if he fain would enter there could he
possibly do so without being seen. Unconsciously, as it were, Mr.
Delancey had that morning missed the bright young brow and gentle eyes,
which in all his moods never had failed to show him the respect of an
obeisance and a greeting regularly upon