er wayward charge, and told
her father of the fact, on the day before the departure of the family
for Hudson. Mr. Grant, more desirous of reforming the wicked girl than
of anything else, consulted Mr. Long. Mrs. Green was told where she
might find money for the payment of the household bills, and admonished
to be very careful in concealing the keys; but nothing was said to her
about the cat and the commandment. If Fanny did attempt to steal, the
case was to be managed by the constable, who had been instructed to
take her to his own house, and keep her in close subjection until the
return of the family.

The cat belonged to Mr. Long, who was confident that the animal, when
released by the act of the thief, would run home, when her presence
would inform him of the culprit's deed. The cat--true to her domestic
instinct--had run home; but the constable had not immediately seen her.
As soon as he discovered the tell-tale pussy, he hastened over to
Woodville, expecting to find Fanny penitently studying the commandment,
which was the moral of Mr. Grant's stratagem; but before he reached the
house he saw two girls on the pier, and recognized Fanny as one of
them.

Willing to be entirely fair, and deeming it possible that Mr. Grant's
plan had failed, he went up to the house to consult Mrs. Green, while
Fanny rushed down the pier to join her companion in mischief.

CHAPTER IV.

FANNY THE SKIPPER.

"What did he want of you, Fan?" asked Kate Magner, with a curiosity not
unmixed with anxiety, as her leader in mischief joined her at the foot
of the pier.

"O, never mind that," exclaimed Fanny, in reply. "We have no time to
talk about it now."

"But what did he say?" demanded Kate, who thought her present action
ought to be governed in some measure by the words of the constable.

"He didn't say much; it is all right now. Come, jump into the boat. We
haven't a moment to lose."

"I want to know what he said before I get any deeper into the mud,"
persisted Kate; but we are compelled to acknowledge that her scruples
were mere worldly prudence, and were not called forth by the
upbraidings of an awakened conscience.

"You can't back out now, Kate. I made it all right with Mr. Long,"
replied Fanny, with energy, as she drew the skiff up to the steps,
ready for her more timid companion to embark. "Now, get in, and don't
waste another instant in talking about nothing."

"You are keeping everything to yourself. If you don'