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	asked himself. At length they reached a wooden house of three stories, standing by itself, and here the stranger stopped. He rang the bell, and the door was opened by a humpbacked negro, who looked curiously at Dodger. Is the room ready, Julius asked the old man. Yes, sir. Boy, take the valise upstairs, and I will follow you. Up two flights of stairs walked Dodger, followed by the old man and the negro. The latter opened the door of a back room, and Dodger, obedient to directions, took the valise inside and deposited it on a chair. He had hardly done so when the door closed behind him, and he heard the slipping of a bolt. What does all this mean Dodger asked himself in amazement. CHAPTER XVIII. IN A TRAP. Hold on there Open that door he exclaimed, aloud. There was no answer. I say, let me out continued our hero, beginning to kick at the panels. This time there was an answer. Stop that kicking, boy I will come back in fifteen minutes and explain all. Well, thought Dodger, this is about the strangest thing that ever happened to me. However, I can wait fifteen minutes. He sat down on a cane chairthere were two in the roomand looked about him. He was in an ordinary bedroom, furnished in the usual manner. There was nothing at all singular in its appearance. On a book shelf were a few books, and some old numbers of magazines. There was one dow looking into a back yard, but as the room was small it was sufficient to light the apartment. Dodger looked about in a cursory manner, not feeling any particular interest in his surroundings, for he had but fifteen minutes to wait, but he thought it rather queer that it should be thought necessary to lock him in. He waited impatiently for the time to pass. Seventeen minutes had passed when he heard the bolt drawn. Fixing his eyes eagerly on the door he saw it open, and two persons entered. One was the upon her face eagerly. Florence shook her head. I should be glad to help my uncle, she said, but I cannot agree to marry you. Why not he demanded, roughly. Because I do not love you, and never shall, she responded, firmly. In other words, you refuse to do the only thing that will restore our uncle to health and happiness It is too much to ask. Then, fixing her eyes upon him keenly: Why should uncle insist upon this marriage Is it not because you have influenced him in the matter No, answered Curtis, falsely. He has some secret reason, which he will not disclose to me, for desiring it. Florence had learned to distrust the words of her wily cousin. May I not see him she asked. Perhaps he will tell me. No; I cannot permit it. You cannot permit it Are you, then, our uncles guardian No, and yes. I do not seek to control him, but I wish to save him from serious agitation. Should he see you, and find that you are still rebellious, the shock might kill him. I have reason to doubt your words, said Florence, coldly. I think you are resolved to keep us apart. Listen, and I will tell you a secret; Uncle John has heart disease, so the doctor assures me. Any unwonted agitation might kill him instantly. I am sure you would not like to expose him to such a risk. He spoke with apparent sincerity, but Florence did not feel certain that his words were truthful. Very well, she said. Then I will give up seeing him. It is best, unless you are ready to accede to his wishesand mine. She did not answer, but walked away slowly. It would never do to have them meet muttered Curtis. The old gentleman would ask her to come back on any terms, and then all my scheming would be upset. That was a happy invention of mine, about heart disease, he = long as I see that you are improving, I shall feel encouraged to go on. I wish I knew as much as your other scholar. You will in time if you go on. You mustnt get discouraged. I wont said Dodger, stoutly. If a little gal like her can learn, Id ought to be ashamed if I donta big boy of eighteen. It isnt the size of the boy that counts, Dodger. I know that, but I aint goin to give in, and let a little gal get ahead of me Keep to that determination, Dodger, and you will succeed in time, never fear. On the whole, Florence enjoyed both her pupils. She had the faculty of teaching, and she became very much interested in both. As for Dodger, she thought, rough diamond as he was, that she saw in him the making of a manly man, and she felt that it was a privilege to assist in the development of his intellectual nature. Again, he had picked up a good deal of slang from the nature of his associates, and she set to work to improve his language, and teach him refinement. It was necessarily a slow process, but she began to find after a time that a gradual change was coming over him. I want you to grow up a gentleman, Dodger, she said to him one day. Im too rough for that, Florence. Im only an ignorant street boy. You are not going to be an ignorant street boy all your life. I dont see why you should not grow up a polished gentleman. I shall never be like that de Brabazon young man, said he. No, Dodger; I dont think you will, said Florence, laughing. I dont want you to become effeminate nor a dude. I think I would like you less than I do now. Do you like me, Florence asked Dodger, brightening up. To be sure I do. I hope you dont doubt it. Why, it dont seem naturallike. Youre a fashionable young lady Not very fashionable, Dodger, just at present. Well, a hightoned young ladyone of the tiptops, and I am a rough Bowery boy. You were once, but you are getting over that rapidly. Did you ever hear of Andy Johnson Who was he He became President of the United States. Well, at the age of twentyone he could neither read nor write. At twentyone repeated Dodger. Why, Im only eighteen, and I do know something of continued, with a low laugh. Though she only half believed it, she will not dare to run the risk of giving him a shock. It was about this time that the quiet tenor of Dodgers life was interrupted by a startling event. He still continued to visit the piers, and one afternoon about six oclock, he stood on the pier awaiting the arrival of the day boat from Albany, with a small supply of evening papers under his arm. He had sold all but half a dozen when the boat touched the pier. He stood watching the various passengers as they left the boat and turned their steps in different directions, when some one touched him on the shoulder. Looking up, he saw standing at his side a man of slender figure, with gray hair and whiskers. Boy, he said, I am a stranger in the city. Can I ask your assistance Yes, sir; certainly, answered Dodger, briskly. Do you know where the nearest station of the elevated road is Yes, sir I want to go uptown, but I know very little about the city. Will you accompany me as guide I will pay you well. All right, sir, answered Dodger. It was just the job he was seeking. We will have to walk a few blocks, unless you want to take a carriage. It isnt necessary. I am strong, in spite of my gray hair. And indeed he appeared continued, with a low laugh. Though she only half believed it, she will not dare to run the risk of giving him a shock. It was about this time that the quiet tenor of Dodgers life was interrupted by a startling event. He still continued to visit the piers, and one afternoon about six oclock, he stood on the pier awaiting the arrival of the day boat from Albany, with a small supply of evening papers under his arm. He had sold all but half a dozen when the boat touched the pier. He stood watching the various passengers as they left the boat and turned their steps in different directions, when some one touched him on the shoulder. Looking up, he saw standing at his side a man of slender figure, with gray hair and whiskers. Boy, he said, I am a stranger in the city. Can I ask your assistance Yes, sir; certainly, answered Dodger, briskly. Do you know where the nearest station of the elevated road is Yes, sir I want to go uptown, but I know very little about the city. Will you accompany me as guide I will pay you well. All right, sir, answered Dodger. It was just the job he was seeking. We will have to walk a few blocks, unless you want to take a carriage. It isnt necessary. I am strong, in spite of my gray hair. And indeed he appeared readin and writin. To be sure Well, Andy Johnson was taught to read and write by his wife. He kept on improving himself till, in course of time, he became a United States Senator, VicePresident, and afterward, President. Now, I dont expect you to equal him, but I see no reason why you should not become a welleducated man if you are content to work, and keep on working. I will keep on, Florence, said Dodger, earnestly. If I ever find my relations I dont want them to be ashamed of me. It was not the first time he had referred to his uncertain origin. Wont Tim Bolton tell you anything about your family No; Ive asked him moren once. He always says hes my father, and that makes me mad. It is strange, said Florence, thoughtfully. I had a young cousin stolen many years ago. Was it the son of the old gentleman you lived with on Madison Avenue Yes; it was the son of Uncle John. It quite broke him down. After my cousins loss he felt that he had nothing to live for. I wish I was your cousin, Florence, said Dodger, thoughtfully. Well, then, I will adopt you as my cousin, or brother, whichever you prefer I would rather be your cousin. Then cousin let it be Now we are bound to each other by strong and near ties. But when your uncle takes you back youll forget all about poor Dodger. No, I wont, Dodger. Theres my hand on it. Whatever comes, we are friends forever. Then Ill try not to disgrace you, Florence. Ill learn as fast as I can, and see if I dont grow up to be a gentleman. CHAPTER XVII. A MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURE. Several weeks passed without changing in any way the position or employment of Dodger or Florence. They had settled down to their respective forms of labor, and were able not only to pay their modest expenses, but to save up something for a rainy day. Florence had but one source of regret. She enjoyed her work, and did not now lament the luxurious home which she had lost. But she did feel sore at heart that her uncle made no sign of regret for their separation. = From him she received no message of forgiveness or reconciliation. He has forgotten me she said to herself, bitterly. He has cast me utterly out of his heart. I do not care for his , but I do not like to think that my kind unclefor he was always kind till the last troublehas steeled his heart against me forever. But she learned through a chance meeting with Jane, that this was not so. Mr. Linden is getting very nervous and lowspirited, said the , and sits hour after hour in the library looking into the fire, afotchin deep sighs every few minutes. Once I saw him with your photographthe one you had taken last springin his hands, and he looked sadlike when he laid it down. My uncle Then he does think of me sometimes Its my belief hed send for you if Curtis would let him. Surely Curtis cannot exercise any restraint upon him He has frequent talks with the old gentleman. I dont know what he says, but its sure to be something wicked. I expect he does all he can to set him against you. Oh, hes a cunning villain, he is, even if he is your cousin, Miss Florence. And do you think my uncle is unhappy, Jane said Florence, thoughtfully. That I do, miss. He never was very bright or cheerful, you know. But he never was like this. And I do think hes gettin more and more feeble. Do you think I ought to call upon him, and risk his sending me away It might be worth tryin, Miss Florence. The result of this conversation was that Florence did make up her mind the very next afternoon to seek her old home. She had just reached the front steps, and was about to ascend, when the door opened and Curtis appeared. He started at sight of his cousin. Florence he said. Tell me why you came here I am anxious about my uncle, she said. Tell me, Curtis, how he is. You know hes never in vigorous health, said Curtis, evasively. But is he as well as usual He is about the same as ever. One thing would do more for him than anything else. Whats that Your agreement to marry me, and he fixed his eyes humpbacked negro, carrying on a waiter a plate of buttered bread, and a cup of tea; the other person wasnot the old man, but, to Dodgers great amazement, a person wellremembered, though he had only seen him onceCurtis Waring. Set down the waiter on the table, Julius, said Waring. Dodger looked on in stupefaction. He was getting more and more bewildered. Now, you can go said Curtis, in a tone of authority. The negro bowed, and after he had disposed of the waiter, withdrew. Do you know me, boy asked Curtis, turning now and addressing Dodger. Yes; you are Mr. Waring. You remember where you last saw me Yes, sir. At your uncles house on Madison Avenue. Quite right. How did you come here Where is the old man whose valise I brought from the Albany boat Curtis smiled, and drew from his pocket a gray wig and whiskers. You understand now, dont you Yes, sir; I understand that I have been got here by a trick. Yes, answered Curtis, coolly. I have deemed it wise to use a little stratagem. But you must be hungry. Sit down and eat your supper while I am talking to you. Dodger was hungry, for it was past his usual supper time, and he saw no reason why he should not accept the invitation. Accordingly, he drew his chair up to the table and began to eat. Curtis seated himself on the other chair. I have a few questions to ask you, and that is why I arranged this interview. We are quite by ourselves, he added, significantly. Very well, sir; go ahead. Where is my Cousin Florence I am right, I take it, in to be. Dodger noticed that he walked with the elastic step of a young man, while his face certainly showed no trace of wrinkles. I live in the West, said the stranger, as they walked along. I have not been here for ten years. Then you have never ridden on the elevated road said Dodger. Nno, answered the stranger, with curious hesitation. Yet when they reached the station he went up the staircase and purchased his ticket with the air of a man who was thoroughly accustomed to doing it. I suppose you dont want me any longer, said Dodger, preparing to resign the valise he was carrying, and which, by the way, was remarkably light considering the size. Yes, I shall need you, said the other hurriedly. There may be some distance to walk after we get uptown. All right, sir. Dodger was glad that further service was required, for this would of course increase the compensation which he would feel entitled to ask. They entered one of the cars, and sat down side by side. The old gentleman drew a paper from his pocket, and began to read, while Dodger, left to his own devices, sat quiet and looked about him. He was rather surprised that the old gentleman, who, according to his own representation, was riding upon the elevated road for the first time, seemed to feel no curiosity on the subject, but conducted himself in all respects like an experienced traveler. Hes a queer customer thought Dodger. However, its all one to me, as long as he pays me well for the job. They got out at One Hundred and Twentyfifth Street, and struck down toward the river, Dodger carrying the valise. I wonder where were going he

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