it some time. My mother will use it first."

The salesman pointed out an instrument with which Luke was well
pleased.

"Would you like to see how it works?"

"Yes, please."

"Miss Morris, please show this young man how to operate the machine."

In the course of ten minutes Luke got a fair idea of the method of
operating.

"Do you require the whole amount down?" asked Luke.

"No; we sell on installments, if preferred."

"What are your terms?"

"Five dollars first payment, and then a dollar a week, with interest
on the balance till paid."

"Then I think I will engage one," Luke decided.

"Very well! Come up to the desk, and give me your name and address. On
payment of five dollars, we will give you a receipt on account,
specifying the terms of paying the balance, etc."

Luke transacted his business, and made arrangements to have the
machine delivered any time after six o'clock, when he knew he would be
at home.

As Luke was coming out of the sewing-machine office he saw Tom Brooks
just passing. Tom looked a little uneasy, not feeling certain whether
Luke had recognized him as one of his assailants or not the evening
previous.

Luke felt that he had a right to be angry. Indeed, he had it in his
power to have Tom arrested, and charged with a very serious
crime--that of highway robbery. But his good luck made him
good-natured.

"Good-evening, Tom," he said. "I didn't see you selling papers
to-day."

"No; I was on Dearborn Street."

"He doesn't know it was me," thought Tom, congratulating himself, and
added: "Have you been buying a sewing machine?"

This was said in a joke.

"Yes," answered Luke, considerably to Tom's surprise. "I have bought
one."

"How much?"

"Twenty-five dollars."

"Where did you raise twenty-five dollars? You're foolin'."

"I bought it on the installment plan--five dollars down."

"Oho!" said Tom, nodding significantly. "I know where you got that
money?"

"Where did I?"

"From the gentleman that bought a couple of papers yesterday."

"You hit it right the first time."

"I thought you weren't no better than the rest of us--you that
pretended to be so extra honest."

"What do you mean by that, Tom Brooks?"

"You pretended that you were going to give back the man's change, and
spent it, after all. I thought you weren't such a saint as you
pretended to be."

"I see you keep on judging me by yourself, Tom Brooks. I took round
the money this morning, and he gave i