you should offer it
to me when there are so many others better fitted for it."

"There are two reasons, my boy. First, I owe you some recompense for all
the injury and injustice Matthew has done you. I cannot believe he
foresaw all that would follow his first petty revenge, but was forced
on, step by step, by a wicked man. But the injury to you was the same,
and my wife and daughter join me in feeling that we owe you this
reparation."

"Do not think of such a thing, Mr. De Vere. You are not responsible, and
I would not think of accepting a position on that account."

Mr. De Vere handed Fred a letter.

"Read this," he said.

The letter was from Matthew, headed "Chicago." It contained a full
confession of his crime, and gave all the circumstances that led up to
it. He begged his parents and sister to forgive him. Upon this point he
said:

Oh, if you only knew what I have suffered, and am still
suffering, on account of my foolish and wicked acts, I think
you would have charity for me.

How I would like to see you all--my dear home, and my own
pretty room. If only I could fall on my knees before you and
mother, and with true penitent tears wipe out the past, how
gladly I would do so. But this, I realize, is forbidden me. I
have forfeited my home, my parents, my reputation, my native
State even, and all to gratify a petty grudge. I wish you
would see Fred Worthington and tell him how I have wronged
him, and ask him if he can forgive me. He has won the contest
while I am ruined--ruined so far as my old life goes--but
now, my dear father and mother, I have commenced a new
career.

I have told Cousin Henry everything about the past and he has
helped me plan for the future. He has furnished me some money
and I shall start tomorrow for one of the Territories, where
I shall commence life for myself.

I shall work and be a man in all that is honorable and right.
I feel ten years older than I did a few months ago. I have
taken some books with me to study.

The first money I earn shall go to Mr. Rexford, in payment
for his loss by my hands. He shall lose nothing if I live
long enough to earn the money due him. I wish you would
protect Tim Short so far as possible. I alone am responsible
for his connection with the robbery.

In writing to me, if I may so far expect your forgiveness,