this."

Fred had his answer now, and it was anything but welcome intelligence to
him. There is no denying that he cared more for Nellie's good opinion
than for what all the rest of the school thought of him.

"She has condemned me at once," he said to himself bitterly, "while
Grace Bernard has proved my friend; and she has not only condemned me
without reason, but has taken up with my enemy--with that scoundrel De
Vere, who has been the cause of all my trouble."

XIII.

Fred was keenly affected by the spirit Nellie had shown concerning him.
That she had no faith in him, and cared nothing for his downfall, seemed
evident, while the thought that she had gone over to De Vere and joined
with him in his utterances galled our hero sorely.

Then, too, the fact that Matthew and Nellie had been so much together
during the last few weeks stirred Fred's jealousy and indignation, as
will be seen in the following letter, which he wrote and mailed that
evening:

MAPLETON, Nov. 26.

MISS NELLIE DUTTON:--I understand that there is a report
circulating in the school that I am guilty of dishonesty, and
that you seem quite ready to accept it. I am not surprised
that gossips should tell such a story, but I did not expect
you to be one of the first to put faith in it and condemn me.
You have known me intimately since we were little children,
and, I am sure, you have no true reason for believing this
wicked slander. Grace Bernard stood by me, I hear, while you
did not. I suppose you are no longer my friend, since you
find so much pleasure in the society of such a fellow as
Matthew De Vere, who is, as you know, my enemy. You probably
got your idea of my conduct from him, as I understand he was
very much elated over my misfortune. This matter will all be
shown up in time, and when it is I shall have the
satisfaction of seeing you regret your present intimacy with
one who has no honor. Perhaps you may then be sorry for the
treatment you are now showing me. Since that wretched night
when I was led to your house by a certain person you have
turned against me and avoided me. Had you not done so, I
could have explained to you in confidence what I have
preferred to keep secret. But since you judge me so hastily,
and seem so happy in the presence of De Vere, I will not
trouble you with my side of the story. FRED W