nd costly journey?"

"I see the difficulty, Edward, but I need time to think it over.
To-morrow afternoon come in and I may have some advice to give you."

"I know that you will advise me for the best, Chester."

"There is a good deal in age and experience," said Chester, smiling.

When Edward left the room Chester took from his pocket a letter
received the day previous, and postmarked Tacoma. It was to this effect:

"MR. CHESTER RAND.

"DEAR SIR: We learn that you own five lots on Main Street, numbered
from 201 to 205. We have inquiries as to three of those lots as a
location for a new hotel, which it is proposed to erect at an early
date. We are, therefore, led to ask whether you are disposed to
sell, and, if so, on what terms. We should be glad to have a
personal interview with you, but if it is impracticable or
inconvenient for you to come on to Tacoma we will undertake, as
your agents, to carry on the negotiations.

"Yours respectfully,

"DEAN & DOWNIE,
"Real Estate Agents."

"Why shouldn't I go to Tacoma?" thought Chester. "I can probably sell
the lots to better advantage than any agents, and should be entirely
unable to fix upon a suitable price unless I am on the ground. In case
I go on, I can take Edward with me, and trust to him to repay the money
advanced at some future time."

The more Chester thought of this plan the more favorable it struck him.

He went the next day to the office of _The Phoenix_, and after
delivering his sketches, said: "I should like leave of absence for two
months. Can you spare me?"

"Does your health require it, Mr. Rand?" asked the editor.

"No," answered Chester, "but I own a little property in Tacoma, and
there are parties out there who wish to buy. It is important that I
should go out there to attend to the matter."

The editor arched his brows in astonishment.

"What!" he said. "An artist, and own real estate? This is truly
surprising."

"I didn't earn it by my art," replied Chester, smiling. "It was a
bequest."

"That accounts for it. I suppose, under the circumstances, we must let
you go; but why need you give up your work? Probably ideas and
suggestions may come to you while you are traveling. These you can send
to us by mail."

"But I can't do enough to earn the salary you pay me."

"Then we will pay according to the amount you do."

"That will be satisfactory."

"Do you need an advance for the exp