fill his glass and join them in drinking the
health of the family.

"You will pardon me," said Romer, turning to Gusher when they had set
down their glasses; "I took the liberty I did up stairs through
mistake."

"It is no matter, mine friend," returned Gusher, patting Romer on the
shoulder familiarly. "I ac-cept ze ap-pology. You are one gentleman, I
am sure. We shall be very good friends." It was curious to see how quick
Gusher regained his confidence and coolness.

"I mistook you for a gentleman I once met in Havana. I understand you
have been there," resumed Romer, keeping his eyes steadily fixed on
Gusher.

"My farer, he has very large estates in ze Havana. Mine friend, I love
ze Havana." Here Gusher put his hand to his heart, and became exuberant.
"It make me so much joy to zink of ze day when I shall be back in mine
own Havana."

"Knew I had seen you there. You would'nt be likely to remember me,
however. Let us fill our glasses, and drink to the pleasant days we have
spent there--"

"Oh, it is so many years since I was so happy zare," interrupted Gusher,
coolly.

They filled their glasses and drank to the happy days they had spent in
Havana. "At least the wine may quicken your memory as to the time we
met. About the time I refer to," continued Romer, still watching
Gusher's manner carefully, "which was about the time we met, a fellow of
wonderful audacity was flourishing, and so attracting public attention
by his skill in rascality that little else was talked of. Louis Pinto
was his real name; but he regarded names as a matter of no consequence,
and used the names of rich and respectable gentlemen whenever a
necessity demanded."

"You shall give me zat hand," replied Gusher, extending his hand and
taking Romer's, with an air of refreshing coolness. "You bring ze
gentleman to my mind. When I shall speak ze truth I shall say he was one
grand rascal, I remember him just so well as you shall see."

"I am glad," resumed Romer, "that you know him for a grand rascal.
Rascal as he was, I had great admiration for him. He had three
remarkable virtues--impudence, coolness, and audacity. I call these
virtues because a man possessing them may go through the world and have
a history of his own. It was Louis's ambition to do the State some
service one day and ornament society with his presence the next. One day
he relieved a rich old gentleman of his pretty daughter and twelve
thousand ounces, and did both so cleve