ich some
boys, possibly some of my young readers, might have been tempted to put
in.

"You are fortunate to have obliged a man like Titus Newman, Hector,"
said Mr. Ross. "He is a man of great wealth and influence."

"Do you know him, papa?" asked Walter.

"No--that is, not at all well. I have been introduced to him."

Punctually at eight o'clock Hector ascended the steps of a handsome
residence on Madison Avenue. The door was opened by a colored servant,
of imposing manners.

"Is Mr. Newman at home?" asked Hector, politely.

"Yes, sar."

"Be kind enough to hand him this card?"

"Yes, sar."

Presently the servant reappeared, saying:

"Mr. Newman will see you, sar, in the library. I will induct you
thither."

"Thank you," answered Hector, secretly amused at the airs put on by his
sable conductor.

Seated at a table, in a handsomely furnished library, sat a stout
gentleman of kindly aspect. He rose quickly from his armchair and
advanced to meet our hero.

"I am glad to see you, my young friend," he said. "Sit there," pointing
to a smaller armchair opposite. "So you are the boy who rescued my dear
little girl?"

His voice softened as he uttered these last few words, and it was easy
to see how strong was the paternal love that swelled his heart.

"I was fortunate in having the opportunity, Mr. Newman."

"You have rendered me a service I can never repay. When I think that but
for you the dear child--" his voice faltered.

"Don't think of it, Mr. Newman," said Hector, earnestly. "I don't like
to think of it myself."

"And you exposed yourself to great danger, my boy!"

"I suppose I did, sir; but that did not occur to me at the time. It was
all over in an instant."

"I see you are modest, and do not care to take too great credit to
yourself, but I shall not rest till I have done something to express my
sense of your noble courage. Now, I am a man of business, and it is my
custom to come to the point directly. Is there any way in which I can
serve you."

"Yes, sir."

"I am glad to hear it. Name it."

"I am looking for a situation in some mercantile establishment, Mr.
Newman."

"Pardon me, but, judging from your appearance, I should not suppose that
it was a matter of importance to you."

"Yes, sir; I am poor."

"You don't look so."

"You judge from my dress, no doubt"--Hector was attired in a suit of
fine texture--"I suppose I may say," he added, with a smile, "that I
have seen better days