"Ten dollars is a lot of money," said Tom.

"Yes. It's right smart. I could make use of it I'm a poor man, an' I
could use it nicely," admitted the sly and furtive Parloe.

"I haven't got so much money now," growled the boy.

"Yeou kin get it, I warrant."

"I suppose I can." He drew his purse from his pocket. "I've got three
dollars and a half here. I'll have the rest for you on Monday."

"Quite correct," said Jasper Parloe, clutching eagerly at the money.
"I'll trust ye till then-- oh, yes! I'll trust ye till then."

CHAPTER XIV

JUST A MATTER OF A DRESS

"Well, I really believe, Tommy Cameron!" cried his sister Helen, when
he overtook the girls and Reno, swinging the basket recklessly, "that
you are developing a love for low company. I don't see how you can
bear to talk with that Jasper Parloe."

"I don't see how I can, either," muttered Tom, and he was rather
silent-- for him-- until they were well off the road and the incident
at the bridge was some minutes behind them.

But the day was such a glorious one, and the fields and woods were so
beautiful, that no healthy boy could long be gloomy. Besides, Tom