"By the way," said Mr. Birge, "yours is a very singular name. Fortunate that it is, or I never would have found you again; but it must be a contraction of something." "Why yes," answered Tode, hesitatingly. He didn't know what contraction meant. "My name was once, when I was a _very_ little youngster, _Theodore_; but I never knew myself in that way." "Theodore! A grand name--it belonged to a brother of mine once before he was called to receive 'the new name.' I like it; and Theodore the name goes down on my record. How do you spell the other? Are you sure that's all right?" "M-a--" began our friend, then stopped to laugh. "Why no--I'll be bound that ain't my name, either. It's Mallery, that's what it is; no Mall about it." Mr. Birge turned and surveyed his caller leisurely, with a quiet smile on his face. "It seems to me, Master Theodore Mallery, that you are sailing under false colors," he said at last. "What have you to do with Tode Mall?" Tode laughed. "Well they nicknamed me so, and I suppose it stuck, and it seems like me; but my name truly is Theodore S. Mallery." "Then of course I shall write it so." And after he had written it Mr. Birge came over and took the boy's hand. "It is a pleasant idea," he said. "Let us take the new name, a picture of the new life which begins to-morrow, when you say before the world, as for me I will serve the Lord. Be very careful of the new name, dear brother; don't stain it with any shadow of evil." Tode walked home slowly and thoughtfully in the gathering twilight, strange new thoughts stirring in his heart. He felt older and graver and wiser. He went round by his business stand; he took his knife from his pocket and carefully pried out the tacks which held his pasteboard sign; then he held it up in the waning light, and looked earnestly at the letters, his face working with new thoughts. But the only outward expression which he gave to these thoughts was to say as he rolled up the pasteboard: "I must have a new sign. Good-by, Tode Mall, I'm done with you forever. After this I'm Theodore S. Mallery." [Illustration] CHAPTER XVI. PLEDGES AND PARTNERSHIPS.