It often happens that he who ranks highest as a student fails of success in the business world; and under certain conditions I would employ the man who graduated lowest in his class rather than him who stood at its head." Cabot's face expressed his amazement at this statement, and noting it, Mr.Hepburn smiled as he continued: "The mere fact that a young man has graduated from your Institute, even though it be with low rank, insures his possession of technical knowledge sufficient for our purpose.

If, at the same time, he is a gentleman endowed with the faculty of making friends, as well as an athlete willing to meet and able to overcome physical difficulties, I would employ him in preference to a more studious person who lacked any of these qualifications.

If you, for instance, had not already decided upon a plan for spending the ensuing year, I should not hesitate to offer you the position we desire to fill." Cabot trembled with excitement.

"I--Mr.Hepburn!" he exclaimed.
"Would you really have offered it to me ?" "Certainly I would.

I desired you to meet me here for that very purpose; but when I found you had made other arrangements that might prove equally advantageous, I believed I was meeting your father's wishes by helping you carry them out." "Is the place still open, and can I have it ?" asked Cabot eagerly.
"Not if you are going around the world; for, although the duties of the position will include a certain amount of travel, it will not be in that direction." "But I don't want to go around the world, and would rather take the position you have to offer than do anything else I know of," declared Cabot.
"Without knowing its requirements, what hardships it may present, nor in what direction it may lead you ?" inquired the other.
"Yes, sir.