er what has happened, I should pay him a visit one
of these days."

"There you are wrong. Those who know your story would sooner think of
giving you a public reception, than of saying or doing anything to
injure your feelings. Those who have suffered unjustly are always
lionized."

"But no one will know my story, only that I was sent to prison for
stealing."

"There you are mistaken again. We put articles in all the principal
papers, stating the facts in the case, and establishing your innocence
beyond a peradventure. Go to Augusta now, Bobby, and you will be a
lion."

"I am sure I had no idea of getting out of the scrape so easily as
this."

"Innocence shall triumph, my young friend."

"What does mother say?" asked Bobby, his countenance growing sad.

"I do not know. We returned from Maine only yesterday; but Squire Lee
will satisfy her. All that can worry her, as it has worried me, will
be her fears for your safety when she hears of your escape."

"I will soon set her mind at ease upon that point. I will take the
noon train home."

"A word about business before you go. I discharged Timmins about a
week ago, and I have kept his place for you."

"By gracious!" exclaimed Bobby, thrown completely out of his propriety
by this announcement.

"I think you will do better, in the long run, than you would to travel
about the country. I was talking with Ellen about it, and she says it
shall be so. Timmins's salary was five hundred dollars a year, and you
shall have the same."

"Five hundred dollars a year!" ejaculated Bobby, amazed at the
vastness of the sum.

"Very well for a boy of thirteen, Bobby."

"I was fourteen last Sunday, sir."

"I would not give any other boy so much; but you are worth it, and you
shall have it."

Probably Mr. Bayard's gratitude had something to do with this
munificent offer; but he knew that our hero possessed abilities and
energy far beyond his years. He further informed Bobby that he should
have a room at his house, and that Ellen was delighted with the
arrangement he proposed.

The gloomy, threatening clouds were all rolled back, and floods of
sunshine streamed in upon the soul of the little merchant; but in the
midst of his rejoicing he remembered that his own integrity had
carried him safely through the night of sorrow and doubt. He had been
true to himself, and now, in the hour of his great triumph, he
realized that, if he had been faithless to the light within him, his