d Tim. "We hid the other things in the
pine grove."

"Are they there yet?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then you didn't make up the full three hundred dollars for Jacob
Simmons?"

"No; but Matthew promised to pay him the balance, so he agreed to do
nothing further."

It could not be shown that Jacob Simmons had directly incited the boys
to commit the robbery, though he was unquestionably the cause of it.
Neither could it be proved that he had knowingly received stolen goods.

The narrative of the legal proceedings would be entirely out of the
design of this story. I will therefore state merely the final results.

In view of the fact that Tim Short confessed his guilt, and that he was
the tool of Matthew De Vere, he was saved from going to prison, and was
sent instead to serve three years in the State reform school, where he
was compelled to learn a trade, and to conform to a rigid disciplinary
system.

Jacob Simmons was found guilty of blackmail, and was sentenced to one
year at hard labor in the State prison, in addition to a fine of three
hundred dollars.

But where was Matthew De Vere all this time?

Among those who congratulated Fred, none did so with more sincerity than
did Nellie Dutton, and the flattering remarks made about him by the
entire village were very gratifying to her.

As she and Fred talked over the trying events of the preceding months,
she remarked that she had learned to esteem him more highly than ever.

"To hear you say that, Nellie," said he gratefully, "more than repays me
for all I have suffered from Matthew De Vere's malice."

"I am glad, then, that we are such good friends," said Nellie
thoughtfully.

"Yes, even better than in the old days, are we not?" said Fred, almost
affectionately.

"We know each other better, I think," answered Nellie. Then she went to
the piano, and, playing her own accompaniment, she sang with unusual
effect one of Fred's favorite songs.

A few days after the trial Fred received a note from Mr. De Vere, asking
him to come to the bank. Obtaining permission to leave the mill Fred
started off. He found the bank president looking worn and anxious. Mr.
De Vere greeted him kindly, and said:

"Fred, I have sent for you to offer you a position. Would you like to
become a banker?"

Fred was thoroughly surprised at such a proposition. "I can hardly
realize that such an opportunity is before me," he said. "I thank you
sincerely, Mr. De Vere, but I can't understand why