“Well, Yale is all right; but I have a friend who has a Harvard scholarship to give away, and I am very sure I could get it for you.”
“You are very kind, sir,” the young man replied, flushing with emotion, “and I want a thorough education more than I can tell you; but, really, I do not feel as if I could spare the time to spend two years in college, and then study for a profession afterward. I would like to be working myself up in some business, and keep on with you as I have been doing.”
“I take it that you are ambitious to get rich, my young friend,” said Professor Emerson, with a smile.
“Yes, sir, I am,” Gerald frankly admitted, flushing consciously as he realized why he was so eager to acquire a competence.
“Well, of course, you must judge for yourself; but I should be sorry to have you let so fine an opportunity slip away from you. I advise you to take a little time to think it over before deciding definitely,” said his friend earnestly.
“I will—thank you,” Gerald responded; adding heartily: “But I trust, whether I accept your offer or not, you will feel that I am truly grateful for all your kindness and interest—both past and present.”
It was after ten o’clock when he left the house, and there were indications of a storm. Gerald buttoned his coat close up to his chin, and started briskly on his way.
After passing three or four blocks he turned into a small park, and observed, as he did so, a gentleman some distance in advance of him. He paid no especial attention to the individual until he was on the point of passing out at the opposite gate, when he caught sight of another figure shadowing the first by skulking behind the trunks of trees to keep out of sight.
Gerald felt sure that this latter person had some malicious design against the other, and he quickened his own steps that he might be on hand if assistance was needed; but both had passed out of the gate before he had half-crossed the park.