"He's right. I set out to win a majority in this town and I did it. But in order to beat a man as white as your father I had to resort to a pretty poor weapon. Everything was with him. Measured up side by side we weren't in the same class. He was by far the better man and I knew it. I couldn't beat him as to character but I could do it with money, and I did. It was a contemptible game. I've always despised myself for playing it. I wish you'd tell your dad so." Paul could scarcely credit his ears. "And about this school business," went on Mr. Carter--"you were just right, son. The school should continue the paper along the lines on which you have started it. It ought to remain the property of the students, too. All is, if next year they care to have the _Echo_ print it, we'll donate the labor free. The school can pay the actual cost of materials and I'll see to the rest of it. I can afford to do one decent thing for Burmingham, I guess." "Oh, Mr. Carter," gasped Paul, "that would be--" But the man interrupted him. "And there's a second-hand typewriter lying round here somewhere that you can have if you like. We are getting a new one of another make. You won't find this much worn I reckon, and I guess you can manage to get some work out of it. I'll send it round to your house to-morrow in my car." "Why, sir, I can't--" The great man put out his hand kindly. "There, there, run along! I'm busy," he said. "Don't forget my message to your father." "No, sir." Then he added hurriedly: "I don't know how to thank you, Mr. Carter." "That's all right," nodded the publisher, cutting him short. "I've always had the greatest respect for your father. Tell him from me that he needn't be ashamed of his son." With these parting words he waved Paul out of the office and the door closed. CHAPTER XVII THE CLOUDS CLEAR When, glowing with happiness, Paul turned into his gate late in the afternoon, he was surprised to find Donald Hall impatiently pacing the driveway before the house. The boy's bicycle was against the fence and it was evident that he had been waiting some time, for a bunch of lilacs tied to the handle-bar hung limp and faded in the sun. "How are you, old man," Paul called jubilantly. "What are you doing here?" "Hanging around until you should heave into sight. I must say you take your time. Your mother has been expecting you every minute since school closed." "I had to go to the _Echo_ office and so got delayed." "Did you tell Carter about the meeting?" "Yes." "How did he take it?" "He was great--corking!" "Really? I thought he'd cut up pretty rough." "So did I; but he didn't. He's more decent than I gave him credit for being. I like Carter. He's all right." "You're the first person I ever heard say so." "Perhaps people don't know him," replied Paul warmly. "You can't judge a man hot off the bat. You've got to try him out." Donald broke into a laugh.