empty arm-chair at the desk, he halted abruptly, and his
expression changed to one of disappointment.

"Not here!" he grumbled. Then, once again the smile was on his
lips as his eyes fell on the secretary, who had now risen to her
feet in a flutter of excitement.

"Why, Mr. Dick!" Sarah gasped.

"Hello, Sadie!" came the genial salutation. The young man
advanced and shook hands with her warmly. "I'm home again.
Where's Dad?"

Even as he asked the question, the quick sobering of his face
bore witness to his disappointment over not finding his father in
the office. For such was the relationship of the owner of the
department store to this new arrival on the scene. And in the
patent chagrin under which the son now labored was to be found a
certain indication of character not to be disregarded. Unlike
many a child, he really loved his father. The death of the
mother years before had left him without other opportunity for
affection in the home, since he had neither brother nor sister.
He loved his father with a depth of feeling that made between the
two a real camaraderie, despite great differences in temperament.
In that simple and sincere regard which he bore for his father,
the boy revealed a heart ready for love, willing to give of
itself its best for the one beloved. Beyond that, as yet, there
was little to be said of him with exactness. He was a spoiled
child of fortune, if you wish to have it so. Certainly, he was
only a drone in the world's hive. Thus far, he had enjoyed the