successful business man he was, glanced at the embarrassed Johnny
with thorough understanding.

"I think I know what you want," he said pleasantly; and, calling a
boy, he gave him some brief instructions. "We have some very
beautiful samples of French embroidered silks, just in yesterday,
and if I can get them away from our buyer you may have your choice.
There's a delicate gray, worked in pink, which would be very
becoming to a mother of that description. They're quite expensive,
but, I believe, are worth the money."

"That's what I want," stated Johnny. "I understand you're going to
build an extension, Mr. Lofty."

The girls gasped and then almost tittered.

Young Lofty ceased immediately to be the suave master of friendly
favors and became the harassed slave of finance.

"I don't know where you secured your information," he protested.

"I'm a fancy guesser," returned Johnny with a grin.

"I wish you were right," said Lofty soberly. "We have quietly gained
possession of nearly all the property in the block, but we're not
quite ready to build, nevertheless."

"I can finish the sad story," sympathized Johnny. "One granite-
headed ladies' tailor threatens to block the way for thirteen
years."