Again Tony shook his head.
And so the matter was dropped.
Another week went by and Tony was one day walking through Ashville. He had purchased, at the earnest solicitation of his mother, a suit of well-fitting clothes; but he was low-spirited, and in spite of the money he had made, the past winter seemed a sort of failure to him.
Suddenly some one grasped him by the shoulder and a familiar voice shouted in his ear:
"Hello, Tony, how are you? I hardly knew you, with your new toggery on."
Could it be possible? Yes, he was shaking hands with Morrison.
They were near Mr. Smart's hardware store.
"Come inside," said Morrison. "I've got a bit of news to tell you."
They entered. Mr. Smart was nowhere in sight.
"Right into the office," continued the young man, gaily. "Now, no backwardness to-day. Sit right down, while I spin my yarn, as the sailors say. It was as big a surprise to me as it will be to you."