“He's just off a farm,” said Lockman. “He was on his way to New York to make his fortune. And think of it, Glad, he'd been robbed, and he'd been wandering about town begging for work, and he was nearly starving.” “You don't say so!” gasped the girl. She took a chair and indicated to Samuel to sit in front of her. “Tell me all about yourself,” she said; and proceeded to cross-question him about his life and his adventures. Poor Samuel was like a witness in the hands of a prosecutor--he became hopelessly confused and frightened. But that made no difference to the girl, who poured a ceaseless fire of questions upon him, until she had laid his whole life bare. She even made him tell about Manning, the stockbroker, and how the family had lost its money in the collapse of Glass Bottle Securities. And then her cousin put in a word about his adventure with “Old Stew,” and Samuel had to tell that all over again, and to set forth his sociological convictions--Miss Wygant and her cousin meantime exchanging glances of wonder and amusement. At last, however, they tired of him and fell to talking of a dance they were to attend and a tennis tournament in which they were to play. And so Samuel had a chance to gaze at Miss Wygant and to feast his eyes upon her beauty. He could have dreamed of no greater joy in all this world than to watch her for hours--to study every detail of her features and her costume, and to see the play of laughter about her mouth and eyes. But then came the butler announcing luncheon; and Samuel rose in a panic. He had a sudden vision of himself being asked to the table, to sit under Miss Wygant's merciless survey. “I think I'd better go now,” he said. “All right,” said young Lockman. “Will you come to-morrow morning, and we'll fix things up?” “I'll come,” said Samuel. “What are you going to do with him?” asked the girl. “He likes to take care of horses,” said Lockman. “No,” exclaimed the other promptly, “that won't do.” “Why not?” asked he. “Because, Bertie, you don't want to make a stable boy out of him. He has too many possibilities. For one thing, he's good looking.” Samuel flushed scarlet and dropped his eyes. He felt again that penetrating gaze. “All right,” said Lockman. “What can you suggest?” “I don't know, I'm sure. But something decent.” “He doesn't know enough to be a house servant, Glad--” “No--but something outside. Couldn't he learn gardening? Are you fond of flowers, Samuel?” “Yes, ma'am,” said Samuel quickly. “Well, then, make a gardener out of him,” said Miss Wygant; and that settled Samuel's destiny. The boy took his departure and went home, almost running in his excitement. He was transported into a distant heaven of bliss; he had been seated among the gods--he was to dwell there forever after!