ldn't mind being her man of business, to take charge of her
money, but as to trotting round town with her like a tame poodle,
please excuse me."

"Warner," said his sister, rather sharply, "just remember, if you
please, that beggars can't be choosers."

"Perhaps not, but this plan of yours would be foolish. She wouldn't
like it, nor would I. Why don't you put Harold up to offering his
services? He's as large as this boy, isn't he?"

"He is about the same size."

"Then it would be a capital plan. You would get rid of the boy that
way."

"You forget that Harold has not finished his education. He is now
attending a commercial school. I should like to have him go to
college, but he doesn't seem to care about it."

"So, after all, the boy seems to be a necessity."

"I would prefer a different boy--less artful and designing."

"How much does the old woman--beg pardon, the old lady--pay him?"

"I don't know. Harold asked Luke, but he wouldn't tell. I have no
doubt he manages to secure twice as much as his services are worth.
He's got on Aunt Eliza's blind side."

"Just what I would like to do, but I have never been able to discover
that she had any."

"Did you take notice of the boy?"

"Yes; he's rather a good-looking youngster, it seems to me."

"How can you say so?" demanded Mrs. Tracy, sharply. "There's a very
common look about him, I think. He isn't nearly as good-looking as
Harold."

"Harold used to look like you," said Warner, with a smile. "Natural
you should think him good-looking. But don't it show a little
self-conceit, Louisa?"

"That's a poor joke," answered his sister, coldly. "What are you going
to do?"

"Going out to see if I can find any of my old acquaintances."

"You had much better look out for a position, as Aunt Eliza hinted."

"Don't be in such a hurry, Louisa. Please bear in mind that I have
only just arrived in Chicago after an absence of five years."

"Dinner will be ready in half an hour."

"Thank you. I don't think I should like a second interview with Aunt
Eliza quite so soon. I will lunch outside."

"A lunch outside costs money, and you are not very well provided in
that way."

"Don't trouble yourself about that, Louisa. I intend to be very
economical.

"My estimable sister is about as mean as anyone I know," said Warner
to himself, as he left the house. "Between her and the old woman, I
don't think I shall find it very agreeable living here. A cheap
boarding house w