't belong to a rogue."

"I am rather late," he said. "Have you been here long?"

"Not very long, sir; I have been up in your office."

"Why didn't you sit down and wait for me?"

"I don't think the red-haired gentleman cared to have me. The boy
asked me to leave my card."

Mr. Afton looked amused.

"And did you?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Do you generally carry visiting cards?"

"Well, I happened to have some with me this morning."

"Please show me one. So your name is Luke Walton?" he added, glancing
at the card.

"Yes, sir; office corner Clark and Randolph Streets."

"I will keep the card and bear it in mind."

"I have brought your change, sir," said Luke.

"You can come upstairs and pay it to me in the office. It will be more
business-like."

Luke was glad to accept the invitation, for it would prove to the
skeptical office clerks that he really had business with their
employer.

Eustis Clark and his uncle could not conceal their surprise when they
saw Luke follow Mr. Afton into the office.

There was a smaller room inclosed at one corner, which was especially
reserved for Mr. Afton.

"Come here, Luke," said he, pleasantly.

Luke followed him inside.

He drew from his pocket four dollars and ninety-eight cents, and laid
it on the table behind which his patron had taken a seat.

"Won't you please count it and see if it is right?" he asked.

"I can see that it is, Luke. I am afraid I have put you to more
trouble than the profit on the two papers I bought would pay for."

"Not at all, sir. Besides, it's all in the way of business. I thank
you for putting confidence in me."

"I thought I was not mistaken in you, and the result shows that I was
right. My boy, I saw that you had an honest face. I am sure that the
thought of keeping back the money never entered your head."

"No, sir, it did not, though one of the newsboys advised me to keep
it."

"It would have been very shortsighted as a matter of policy. I will
take this money, but I want to encourage you in the way of
well-doing."

He drew from his vest pocket a bill, and extended it to Luke.

"It isn't meant as a reward for honesty, but only as a mark of the
interest I have begun to feel in you."

"Thank you, sir," said Luke; and as he took the bill, he started in
surprise, for it was ten dollars.

"Did you mean to give as much as this?"

"How much is it?"

"Ten dollars."

"I thought it was five, but I am glad it is more. Yes