As the weeks slipped away and Wilbur realized that, though he was gaining ground in his profession, more liberal expenditures were still out of the question, he reached a frame of mind which made him yearn for a means of relief.  So it happened that, when Selma asked him once more why he did not follow the advice proffered and buy some stocks, he replied by smiling at Gregory and inquiring what he should buy.  During the dinner, which had been pleasant, Wilbur’s eye had been attracted by the brilliancy of some new jewels which Mrs. Williams wore, and he had been conscious of the wish that he were able to make a present like that to his own wife.

“You take my breath away.  Wonders will never cease,” responded Gregory, while both the women clapped their hands.  “But you musn’t buy anything; you must sell,” he continued.  “VanHorne and I both came to the conclusion to-day that it is time for a turn on the short side of the market.  When the public are crazy and will buy any thing, then is the time to let them have all they wish.”

“What, then, am I to sell?” asked Wilbur “I am a complete lamb, you know.”  He was already sorry that he had consented, but Selma’s manifest interest restrained him from turning the matter into a joke.

“Leave it all to me,” said Williams with a magnificent gesture.

“But you will need some money from me.”

“Not at all.  If you would feel better, you may send me a check or a bond for a thousand dollars.  But it isn’t necessary in your case.”

“I will bring you in a bond to-morrow—­one of the very few I own.”

Wilbur having delivered his security the first thing in the morning, heard nothing further from Williams for a fortnight.  One day he received a formal account of certain transactions executed by Williams and VanHorne for Wilbur Littleton, Esq., and a check for two thousand dollars.  The flush which rose to his cheeks was induced partly by pleasure, partly by shame.  His inclination, as he reflected, was to return the check, but he recognized presently that this was a foolish idea, and that the only thing to be done was to deposit it.  He wrote a grateful note of acknowledgment to Williams, and then gave himself up to the agreeable occupation of thinking what he should buy for Selma with the money.  He decided not to tell her of his good fortune, but to treat her to a surprise.  His first fancy was in favor of jewelry—­some necklace or lustrous ornament for the hair, which would charm the feminine eye and might make Selma even more beautiful than she already appeared in evening dress.  His choice settled on a horse and buggy as more genuinely useful.  To be sure there was the feed of the animal to be considered; but he would be able to reserve sufficient money to cover this cost for some months, and by the end of that time he would perhaps be able to afford the outlay from his income.  Horse-flesh and vehicles were not in his line, but he succeeded by investigation in procuring a modest equipment for seven hundred dollars, which left him three hundred for fodder, and the other thousand.  This he had decided to hand over to Selma as pin money.  It was for her sake that he had consented to speculate, and it seemed meet that she should have the satisfaction of spending it.