"But you must!" said the lady positively. "Louisa Stafford never allows any one to work for nothing. Besides you have perhaps prevented Prince here from breaking my neck. I certainly won't be mean enough to make you work for nothing. I warrant you are not over-provided with money." "Well, no," answered Robert, smiling. "I can't say I am. I have only a dollar and a half here, though I have some money in the hands of a friend at the East." "And how far are you expecting to travel?" "To New York." "To New York—almost two thousand miles—on a dollar and a half! Goodness gracious, what a wild idea!" "Oh, I expect to find something to do on the way, and if I don't I shall meet with good friends." "A dollar and a half! I never heard of such a thing!" reiterated Miss Stafford. Miss Louisa Stafford was a rich and kind-hearted maiden lady, who, unlike many of her class, was very fond of young people and a great favorite with them. No gathering of her nephews or nieces was considered complete without the presence of Aunt Louisa, who was sure in every way to promote the happiness of the young company. She was delighted to secure in Robert one who could so materially help her, and inwardly resolved to reward him well for his services. They drove up to a large house with a broad lawn, shaded by fine trees, under which were assembled a merry crowd of young people. When Miss Stafford's carriage was espied there was a rush to greet her. "How are you all, children?" she said, heartily. "Oh; I see you are looking at this young gentleman with me. Well, he has saved my life." "Saved your life!" exclaimed the children in chorus. "Yes, Prince undertook to run away with and upset me, but Master Robert, here (she had inquired his name), subdued him, and here I am. I have taken the liberty to invite Professor Rudd to join our party." "Professor Rudd!" repeated the children, bewildered. "Yes; this young gentleman is a professor of magic, and he will perform some tricks this evening. This afternoon I expect you to be polite to him, and invite him to join your games." This all were very ready to do, for Robert was good-looking and gentlemanly in appearance, and soon made himself a general favorite. Supper was served between five and six o'clock, and early in the evening Robert appeared as a magician. He had quite a variety of tricks and illustrations, and this part of the programme gave great satisfaction. The next morning (for Miss Stafford and Robert also passed the night in the hospitable mansion) when our young hero was ready to start out on his journey, Miss Stafford, put in his hand a sealed envelope. "Don't open this," she said, "till you have gone at least a mile." CHAPTER XXIX. AN UNPLEASANT ACQUAINTANCE. Robert felt curious to learn what was in the letter, but faithfully carried out the wishes of Miss Stafford, and did not open it till he was more than a mile away.