robert was well prepared by long abstinence to do justice to the choice viands that were set before him. he had not been brought up in poverty, yet he had not been accustomed to the luxurious table maintained by mrs. vernon. he ate with so much relish that he was almost ashamed.

"i have an unusual appetite," he said half apologetically.

"probably you do not generally dine so late," said mrs. vernon.

"no, madam."

"i am glad you enjoy your dinner," said his hostess.

when dinner was over she said, "come with me into my study, or perhaps i may say my office, and i will give you an idea of your duties."

robert followed her with not a little curiosity, to a somewhat smaller room on the same floor.

it contained a large writing desk with numerous drawers, also several chairs and a bookcase.

mrs. vernon seated herself at the desk.

"probably you wonder what a woman can want of a secretary?" she said inquiringly.

"no," answered robert. "i know that there are women of business as well as men."

"quite true. i do not need to enter into full explanations. however, i may say that i possess considerable property invested in different ways. my husband died two years since, and i am left to manage it for myself."

robert bowed, indicating that he understood.

"a part of my property is in real estate, and i have numerous tenants. a part is invested in manufacturing stocks. i believe you said you understood bookkeeping?"

"theoretically, i do. i have studied it in school."

"take this sheet of paper and write a letter at my dictation."

she rose from the desk and signed to robert to take her seat.

he did so, and wrote a short letter at her dictation.

"now give it to me."

she regarded it approvingly.

"that will do very well," she said. "i think you will suit me."

"am i the first secretary you have employed?" asked robert curiously.

"a natural question. no, i still have a secretary, a nephew of mine."

robert looked puzzled.

"then, with me, you will have two."

"no, for i shall discharge my nephew."

"is he--a boy?"

"no, he is a young man of twenty-five."

"do you think i shall suit you any better? i am afraid you will be disappointed in me."

"i will tell you why i discharge my nephew. he takes advantage of his relationship to make suggestions and interfere with my plans. besides, he is inclined to be gay, and though his duties are by no means arduous he neglects them, and is so careless that i have found numerous errors in his accounts."

"does he know that he is to be superseded?"

"no; he will learn it first when he sees you."

"i am afraid he will be prejudiced against me."

"no doubt he will."

"does he depend upon his salary? won't he be put to inconvenience?"

"you are very considerate. i answer no, for i shall continue to pay him a liberal salary, but will leave him to obtain employment elsewhere. and this leads me to ask your views in regard to compensation."

"i shall be satisfied with whatever you choose to pay me."

"then suppose we say a hundred dollars a month, and of course a home. you will continue to occupy the room into which martha conducted you before dinner."

"but, mrs. vernon, can i possibly earn as much as that? most boys of my age are contented with five or six dollars a week."

"they do not have as responsible duties as you. you will not only be my secretary, but will be entrusted with my bank account. i can afford to pay you liberally, and wish to do so."

"then i can only thank you and accept your generous offer."

"that is well. by the way, how are you provided with money now?"

"i have almost nothing. i have been out of employment for some weeks."

mrs. vernon opened a drawer in her desk, and took out a roll of bills.

"count those, please," she said.

"there are seventy-five dollars."

"you can accept them on account, or rather, i won't charge them to you. you may look upon that sum as your outfit. very likely you may need to replenish your wardrobe."

"yes, mrs. vernon, i shall, if i am to live in your house."

"well spoken. as one of my family, of course i shall want you to be well dressed."

"shall i begin my duties now?"

"no; you may return to your boarding house and prepare to transfer your trunk here."

robert bowed.

"we shall have supper at seven. very possibly your predecessor, my nephew, may be here. we will separate till then."

she left the room, and robert followed.

as he emerged into the street he asked himself whether it were not all a dream. but feeling in his vest pocket he found the roll of bills, and this was a sufficient answer.

what a difference a couple of hours had made in his feelings! in the forenoon he had been discouraged, now he was in the highest spirits.

on his way he passed the furnishing goods store where he had been refused a position in the morning. he was in need of underclothing, and entered.

the proprietor of the shop saw and recognized him.

"you have come back again, i see," he said. "it is of no use. i cannot employ you. so far as i am concerned, i should be willing, but, as you know, my wife is prejudiced against you."

"i am not looking for a position," said robert quietly.

"what, then?"

"i wish to buy a few articles."

he passed from one article to another, and his bill amounted to over ten dollars.

the proprietor of the store, who waited upon him in person, became more and more amazed, and even a little anxious.

"can you pay for all these?" he asked.

"certainly, or i should not buy them."

when the bill was made out it amounted to between fourteen and fifteen dollars. robert passed out two ten-dollar bills.

"you seem well provided with money," said the merchant respectfully. "where shall i send these articles?"

robert gave the number of mrs. vernon's residence on prairie avenue.

"do you live there?"

"yes, sir."

"i hope you will favor me with your continued patronage. evidently my wife made a very absurd mistake."

robert did not buy any more articles. he deferred till the next day purchasing a suit, of which he stood in need.

then it occurred to him, as he had plenty of time, that he would call at the cut-rate ticket office where he had been employed.

as he entered the office he found livingston palmer alone.

"i am glad to see you, robert," said his friend. "i begin to hope that mr. gray will take you back."

"how is that?"

"his nephew is getting home-sick. besides, he has no business in him. he will never make a good clerk. if you can get along for a week or two you may be taken into the office again."

"i am not in the market, livingston."

"you don't mean to say you have got a place?"

"but i have."

"what is it?"

"i am private secretary to a lady of property on prairie avenue."

"you don't say so! is the pay good?"

"a hundred dollars a month."

"jumping jehosophat! you are jollying me."

"not at all. it's all straight. and that is not all. i have a home in the house, too."

livingston palmer regarded his young friend with reverential awe.

"it doesn't seem possible," said he. "how did you get it?"

"i can hardly tell you. the lady has taken me without recommendations."

"well, robert, you were born to good luck. i am afraid you won't notice me now that you are getting up in the world."

robert smiled.

"i will see you as often as i can," he said.

just then mr. gray entered the office.

"ah, frost," he said. "i suppose you haven't a place yet?"

"i have one," answered robert rather coolly, for he felt that the broker had treated him badly.

"indeed!"

then after robert's departure palmer told his employer the particulars of his late clerk's good fortune. mr. gray was disposed to be incredulous.

on returning to prairie avenue robert found himself just in time for tea. at the table he met a stout, swarthy young man, whom mrs. vernon introduced as her nephew, frederic vernon.

"is this a new acquaintance of yours, aunt?" asked frederic vernon.

"it is my new secretary," she replied, "robert frost."

"that boy!" he said disdainfully, regarding robert with unmistakable animosity.