her I am blameless, would it
do any good to tell her the dime-novel truth of the matter?"

Looking deep into her eyes, he said, "Mother, you never knew me to
deceive you. You must trust me now more than ever. But I will tell you
more than I shall say to any other human being. Mother, there is a
mistake. Everything points to me, I know. I'm under this cloud because I
would not be untrue to a confidence. I've just left the church, where I
promised God to carry this cross for Him. I was thinking of you when I
made that offering. Now, Mother, won't you be good and not worry any
more?"

For an answer she embraced him, and taking him by the hand, she led the
way to the little oratory. They knelt down before the Sacred Heart, and
still holding his hand in hers, she said, "Dear Sacred Heart, I add my
offering to my boy's. Do thou keep him ever in Thy love and Thy Grace.
Amen."

"It's all right now, mother. The cross has lost its weight."

"Yes, dear," she answered, "we won't mind anything now. I'll tell your
father that I know things are all right, so he won't be embarrassed by
any gossip he hears."

"Mother, I'd rather you wouldn't say anything to father. He has enough
to worry him without our cares."

"Yes, dear, things don't always run smoothly with him, yet he spares us
his worries. I'll do as you say, unless something makes me see it's best
to tell him."

(II)

After lunch, Frank went out to the football field. There was to be heavy
practice that afternoon for the big game of the year. On his way, he met
Dick and Ned, headed in the same direction.

"O Frank," exclaimed Ned, "you're being terribly 'roasted' all over the
parish. Somehow the thing is getting bigger and bigger, and you're made
out worse and worse."

"Can't help people talking, son," was Frank's reply.

"I know, Hank, but it's something awful. Why don't you do something?"

"I'm open to suggestions, wise one. What do you advise me to do?"

"Why, deny it!"

"I have."

"Well, tell them that you can prove you didn't do it. Show 'em that you
were not around there when it happened."

"That's just it. Who knows when it happened?"

"Well, isn't there anything you can do? It's fierce to get the rep
you're getting."

"Search me, kid. I don't know anything more that I can do."

As they approached the field, they found most of the players already on
hand, in their uniforms. Subs were beginning to line up against the
regulars, for the practice,