Just a few days later Eva Gaines came down with her uncle, the old broker, and was shown into the ladies' reception room with him. Fred and Bob received them with great consideration.
"You have been making, things lively in the Street," the old broker remarked to Fred.
"Yes, sir. I would like to pay you the balance I owe for the seat in the Stock Exchange."
"Well, I am not in any hurry about it," was the reply. "You can do so if you wish, and my niece here will leave $10,000 with you to speculate with for her. That is what we came down to-day for."
Fred looked at her without making any reply.
"I don't think I ought to attempt anything like that yet a while, Mr. Gaines," he finally said.
"Oh, I just know you could make a fortune for me in a little while," said Eva. "You are fortunate in everything you do."
"I have been very fortunate of late," he replied, "but I am more free with my own money than I would dare to be with other people's cash."
"But that is just what I want you to do–use it as you would your own," she urged.
Fred shook his head.