“But I will,” cried the other.
“But you must not,” corrected Herbert; “if you carry out your good intentions you will do me a great deal of harm. If you are really a friend of mine, I beg of you to stay away from the Argus office.”
“But, my young man,” said the teacher, “you are entirely too young to be so self opinionated. You should not have quarreled with Blakeley. It would have been much better if you had bent your will to his.”
Herbert shook his head sadly. He was silent for a few moments, and then said with much gravity:
“You mean very well, but you cannot mend matters in this instance.”
Mr. Anderson left the house looking very forlorn. He was anxious to help Herbert, and keenly felt his inability to do so.
Tomlin had been sent out on an assignment that took him to a remote part of the State. He remained away for a week, and Herbert was alone during all that period. Tomlin returned unexpectedly one evening, very anxious to hear the latest news regarding his friend and the papers. Herbert came in late that night. His white face, drooping mouth and hopeless eyes told their own story to Tomlin. However he tried to disguise the feeling that was within him, and said with assumed cheerfulness:
“Well, old boy, how have you made out in my absence? Have you tried any of the other papers?”
“Yes,” said Herbert, “I have.”
“Which one?”