you advise me not
to do. Don't be worried about me, Mary. God loves a cheerful giver, you
know, and whatever I give to you is cheerfully given."

An hour was spent in conversation, and then, as Mr. Barton showed
fatigue, he and Uncle Jacob retired to bed, and Mrs. Barton mixed some
flour so as to be able to give her guests warm biscuits in the morning,
for she remembered that her husband had been very fond of them in former
years.

The next morning after breakfast Uncle Jacob took his departure.

"I leave you in good hands, John," he said to Mr. Barton. "Now, get well
as fast as you can."

"There is one thing that will make me well," said Barton, "and that is,
vindication from the false charge that has darkened my life and
destroyed my happiness during the last ten years."

"That is coming, and coming soon," said Uncle Jacob. "Only be patient a
little while. Bert has already made a discovery that makes it clear who
is the real criminal."

"I hope he will never suffer as I have done," said the sick man.

"You have a more Christian spirit than I, John. I think it only right
that he should suffer for the wrong he has done you. Well, good-by. Let
me hear from you, and if Bert makes any further progress in his mission,
I will apprise you and Mary."

Uncle Jacob left the village without being seen by Albert Marlowe or
Percy, who alone were likely to recognize him. But it leaked out that
Mrs. Barton had a boarder, Percy being the first to hear of it.

"What do you think, papa?" he said one day. "Bert Barton's mother has
taken a boarder from the city."

"A boarder from the city?" repeated Squire Marlowe, surprised.

"Yes."

"What brought him to Lakeville?"

"I don't know. I can tell you who brought him here."

"Who, then?"

"Uncle Jacob."

"Has he been here, then?"

"Yes; he came in the evening and went back the next morning."

"I wonder he did not call upon us," said the squire thoughtfully.

"It's no great loss if he didn't," returned Percy, pertly. "He would
probably want to borrow money."

"No; he appears to be doing very well in the city; that is, for him. But
what could induce a gentleman from the city to come here to Lakeville to
board in a humble cottage?"

"I hear he is in poor health," said Percy.

"Have you seen him? Do you know what his appearance is?"

"Yes. I saw him sitting at Mrs. Barton's window. He is of dark
complexion, and has dark hair. Then he seemed to have a high forehead."