"
"He is likely to live as long as she."
"She is a good deal longer than he," said
Leonard, with a laugh.
The bookkeeper condescended to smile at
this joke, though it was not very brilliant.
"Before this boy Carl came," he resumed
thoughtfully, "I hoped he might take a fancy
to you. He must die some time, and, having
no near blood relative, I thought he might
select as heir some boy like yourself, who might
grow into his favor and get on his blind side."
"Is it too late now?" asked Leonard, eagerly.
"Perhaps not, but the appearance of this
new boy on the scene makes your chance a good
deal smaller."
"I wish we could get rid of him," said
Leonard, frowning.
"The only way is to injure him in the
estimation of Mr. Jennings."
"I think I know of a way."
"Mention it."
"Here is an advertisement of a lottery," said
Leonard, whose plans, in view of what his uncle
had said, had experienced a change.
"Well?"
"I will write to the manager in Carl's name,
inquiring about tickets, and, of course, he will
answer to him, to the care of Mr. Jennings.
This will lead to the suspicion that Carl is
interested in such matters."
"It is a good idea. It will open the way
to a loss of confidence on the part of Mr. Jennings."
"I will sit down at your desk and write at once."
Three days later Mr. Jennings handed a letter
to Carl after they reached home in the evening.
"A letter for you to my care," he explained.
Carl opened it in surprise, and read as follows:
"Office Of Gift Enterprise.
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