Mr. Parkinson's vanity led him to think that she was regarding him with a look of interest, but he misinterpreted her. She looked upon him as old enough to be her father, and not a suspicion had ever entered her mind that he thought of her as a possible wife. "If you will permit me," said the superintendent, "I am about to go out to lunch, and will communicate to you a plan I have for your advantage. It will be better not to take any new work now." "I did not intend to," said Rose. Mr. Parkinson looked a little surprised. They passed through the store together, and out into Broadway. Rose waited for Mr. Parkinson to say what he appeared to have in his mind. "I think, Miss Beaufort," he said, as they emerged into the street, "you could do better than make vests at thirty-five cents each." "I think so, too," answered Rose. "I wonder what he means?" she thought. "Such a beautiful girl as you are----" "Sir!" exclaimed Rose, haughtily. "No offense, my dear. Quite the contrary, I assure you. I have had my eye upon you for some time, and I admire you exceedingly. You are poor, but I shall overlook that. My dear girl, I am very well off, as you may suppose, and I offer to make you Mrs. Parkinson." "Good-evening, sir," said Rose, coldly. "I don't wish to continue the conversation." "Don't be foolish, my dear girl. It is a fine chance for a poor vest-maker to marry a man in my position." Rose did not deign to answer, but tried to escape. He attempted to seize her by the arm, when his hat was violently knocked over his eyes, and he came near measuring his length on the sidewalk. CHAPTER XXII. THE ROMANCE OF A ROSE. Mr. Parkinson adjusted his hat, and darted a glance of indignation at a fine-looking young man who had come to the rescue of Rose Beaufort. "This is an outrage, sir," he said, angrily. Clinton Randall paid no attention to the discomfited Parkinson, but asked Rose: "Has this man annoyed you?" "He forced his attentions upon me," answered Rose. "If he has insulted you, I will take care that he is punished." "Don't meddle with what is none of your business," said Parkinson, furiously. "I have a good mind to horsewhip you." "Make the attempt whenever you please, sir," said Randall, significantly. "If ever I find you annoying this young lady again, I shall probably give you a taste of the same medicine." "Annoying?" sneered Parkinson. "I offered to make her my wife, if you call that annoyance. Let me tell you that when a gentleman in my position offers to marry a vest-maker she has reason to feel complimented." "She evidently does not," said Randall, not without sarcasm. "Whether she is a vest-maker or not, she is evidently a young lady and is entitled to be treated as such."