ts well into the night. The boy did most
of the talking, and Gorham absorbed with little comment the story which
he had to tell. Allen was surprised and relieved to find that he
listened to him without criticism, and it strengthened him in his own
confidence to find that the elder man treated him with a consideration
beyond that which he had previously received.

"You are quite right to come to me with this," Gorham said at length;
"but I feel that, as far as the business is concerned, you are unduly
apprehensive. I shall satisfy myself on this point on my return to the
office. Now, as to Mr. Covington: I have been aware for weeks of your
personal dislike for each other, but it is unworthy of you, Allen, to
allow this to influence you to the extent of doing him so great an
injustice."

Allen colored deeply at the criticism. "I have waited until I am certain
that it is no injustice before bringing the matter to you," he said.

"I have also been aware of another fact," Gorham continued, "which is in
itself an explanation of your present attitude. When I tell you that it
is my fondest hope that Alice shall marry Mr. Covington, you will
understand. This in itself is the strongest evidence I could give of my
confidence in him."

This was a blow far greater than any Alice had dealt him. Allen had
never lost hope that sooner or later he could convince her that he had
attained man's estate, and this he considered the only real barrier
between them. But if Mr. Gorham had set his heart upon her marriage to
Covington, he knew the case was hopeless. The older man watched him as
he struggled with himself.

"You should have no thought at present of marrying any one," he said,
kindly. "You are not mature enough yet to know your own mind. You have
done well, and I have great hopes for your future, but for the present
you must be content to solve one day's problems before taking up the
next."

"I wouldn't mind so much about Alice," the boy finally managed to blurt
out, "if it was any one except Mr. Covington."

"Have you any actual evidence that he is other than an upright, able
man, whose character entitles him to the fullest confidence and esteem?"

"No actual evidence; but I know I'm right. Please don't let him have
Alice without making sure."

Gorham placed his hand kindly upon the boy's shoulder. "Your interest in
my little girl's happiness, though prejudiced, makes me overlook this
boyish jealousy toward a man whom I re