tlemen; you have been more considerate with me than
I deserve. Good-day."

Mr. Gibbs turned to Dick.

"Now Richard, you can go, and please remember that while the finding of
the securities may be announced, not one word to a living soul about the
truth until after Mr. Graylock has left town for good. He does not
deserve it, but we will spare him that added humiliation. Just now I
presume he is the most wretched man in the State. And Richard, please
ask Mr. Winslow to step in here for a minute, since I believe he knows
what Mr. Cheever intended doing."

The teller obeyed the summons with alacrity, and doubtless heard all
about the outcome of the little game he and Dick had planned; at the
same time being bound to secrecy until the limited time had passed.

Of course there was great rejoicing among the creditors of the defunct
firm when the fact was made known that the missing securities had come
to light, and that there would be another hundred thousand dollars
divided up among them; but no matter how curious they might be they were
unable to learn where the papers had been hidden; though some who knew
Mr. Graylock best had their suspicions.

And three days later, as he had said, Mr. Graylock vanished from
Riverview, with his wife and son, going to Boston; nor did any of them
ever show their faces again in the town where for years the merchant had
held his head so high.

The story soon became common property, and for a long time his name was
held up to ridicule and execration by those he had swindled.

Some years later Dick learned that the Graylocks had gone South, and
with some money advanced by a relative purchased a few acres of land in
Florida, where they devoted their attention to raising celery for the
northern market; but just how successful they were, or what progress
Ferd was making toward overcoming his faults, he never knew.

They had passed out of the life of the little river town; and after a
time the name of Graylock was seldom mentioned; for another firm had
taken up the big store, and was making it a success by honest dealing.

Some years have passed since the events narrated in this story occurred.

Most of those with whom we have come in contact still remain in
Riverview, and the town has prospered quite in proportion to others in
the State.

Mrs. Morrison still lives happily in her rose embowered cottage, which
of course has been enlarged and vastly improved; for the legacy came to
hand i