script in the other, 'read this. Tell me what you
think of it. If good, give him a show.

'The staff is full, Mr Greeley,' said the man of the city desk. His
words cut me with disappointment.

The editor of the Tribune halted his hand an instant, read the last
lines, scratching a word and underscoring another.

'Don't care!' he shrilled, as he went on writing. 'Used to slide
downhill with his father. If he's got brains we'll pay him eight dollars
a-week.

The city editor beckoned to me and I followed him into another room.

'If you will leave your address,' he said, 'I will let you hear from me
when we have read the article.

With the hasty confidence of youth I began to discount my future that
very day, ordering a full dress suit, of the best tailor, hat and shoes
to match and a complement of neck wear that would have done credit to
Beau Brummel. It gave me a start when I saw the bill would empty my
pocket of more than half its cash. But I had a stiff pace to follow, and
every reason to look my best.

Chapter 32

I took a walk in the long twilight of that evening. As it began to grow
dark I passed the Fuller house and looked up at its windows. Standing
under a tree on the opposite side of the avenue I saw a man come out
of the door and walk away hurriedly with long strides. I met him at the
next corner.

'Good-evening!' he said.

I recognised then the voice and figure of John Trumbull. 'Been to
Fuller's,' said he.

'How is Hope?' I asked.

'Better,' said he. 'Walk with me?

'With pleasure,' said I, and then he quickened his pace.

We walked awhile in silence, going so fast! had hardly time to speak,
and the darkness deepened into night. We hurried along through streets
and alleys that were but dimly lighted, coming out at length on a wide
avenue passing through open fields in the upper part of the city. Lights
in cabin windows glowed on the hills around us. I made some remark about
them but he did not hear me. He slackened pace in a moment and began
whispering to himself' I could not hear what he said. I thought of
bidding him good-night and returning but where were we and how could I
find my way? We heard a horse coming presently at a gallop. At the first
loud whack of the hoofs he turned suddenly and laying hold of my arm
began to run. I followed him into the darkness of the open field.
It gave me a spell of rare excitement for I thought at once of
highwaymen--having read so much of them in the