Part 14 (1/2)

”Ten s.h.i.+llings! Why, that's a dollar and a quarter.”

”Of course it is. I told him I thought you would accommodate him.”

”You are sure I can get the work to do?”

”Certainly. I am to go up to his house this evening and get the pattern and an order for the materials.”

”It seems too good to be true,” said his mother. ”Why, I can earn at least a dollar a day.”

”Then you will be doing as well as I am.”

”Tell me how you heard of it, Paul,” said Mrs. Hoffman.

Paul told the story of the manner in which he formed Mr. Preston's acquaintance.

”It's lucky you ran into him, Paul,” said Jimmy.

”He didn't think so at the time,” said Paul, laughing. ”He said I nearly knocked the breath out of him.”

”You won't go out this afternoon, mother, will you?” asked Jimmy.

”No, it will not be necessary now; I didn't think this morning that such a piece of good luck was in store for, me.”

CHAPTER X

ANOTHER LOSS

After supper Paul brushed his clothes carefully and prepared to go to the address given him by Mr. Preston. He decided to walk one way, not wis.h.i.+ng to incur the expenses of two railroad fares.

The distance was considerable, and it was nearly eight o'clock when he arrived at his destination.

Paul found himself standing before a handsome house of brown stone.

He ascended the steps, and inquired, on the door being opened, if Mr.

Preston was at home.

”I'll see,” said the servant.

She returned in a short time, and said: ”He says you may come upstairs.”

Paul followed the servant, who pointed out a door at the head of the first staircase.

Paul knocked, and, hearing ”Come in” from within, he opened the door and entered.

He found himself in a s.p.a.cious chamber, handsomely furnished. Mr.

Preston, in dressing-gown and slippers, sat before a cheerful, open fire.

”Come and sit down by the fire,” he said, sociably.