gry Mr. Simmons rush in and fall upon him
with remorseless blows.

Matthew's evening had been anything but a success. Every move he had
made had not only failed to accomplish his purpose, but had actually
recoiled upon him. He little imagined, though, to what extent this was
the case in his last effort, for his fear was only of immediate bodily
punishment.

As time passed, and his door was not burst open, he began to feel safe
once more, and as terror ceased to occupy his thoughts, it was replaced
by jealousy, and a desire for revenge upon Fred Worthington. He cared
little what became of Tim, and gave him hardly a passing thought since
he himself was safe from harm. He was not in the mood for sleep, so
passed the time in thinking over the events of the evening.

It is a contemptible act of cowardice to lie in wait for a rival, and,
taking him thus at a disadvantage, spring upon him and beat him with
malicious pleasure. But Matthew would have felt no scruples on this
point, for it is just what he had planned to do; and now that he had
made of it a miserable failure, he resolved upon a new plot--an entirely
different form of revenge, but one, in many respects, much more to be
dreaded.

When Fred Worthington's mind finally descended from the clouds, and he
began to think once more in a natural way, he at once took in the
situation. He knew that Matthew did not like him, and he had seen him
leave the party in an angry mood. Knowing him to be so revengeful, he
anticipated that trouble of some sort would follow; but he little
thought what that trouble would prove to be.

Imagine his surprise, therefore, when the next afternoon Matthew called
at the store, in a very gracious mood, to see him and to talk over the
previous evening's entertainment. He was very agreeable, and as sociable
as if they had never quarreled.

After he had gone, Fred began to feel somewhat guilty, thinking he had
unjustly wronged him. He disliked to have trouble with any one, and from
the fact that they had not been very good friends of late, and that now
De Vere had made the first concessions, Fred felt disposed to use every
effort to be on good terms with him.

Matthew was quick to take note of this, and it suited his plans exactly.
At first he thought he would speak to Tom Martin about his despicable
purpose, and get his assistance. But he knew Dave Farrington would not
listen to it, for he had already shown a preference for Fred; so he
final