, of his father's pride in him and of his mother's love, of his
sister's tender affection--thought of all those near and dear to
him--and shuddered as he realized the disappointment and sorrow that was
to fall heavily upon them from his own wicked acts.

He buried his face in his pillow and sobbed till it seemed that his
heart would break.

"Oh, if I could only undo the past!" he cried. But he had gone too far.

His pride and haughty spirit were completely crushed, and when he
finally arose from his bed he was humbled indeed.

The following morning all Mapleton was excited by the report that
Matthew De Vere could not be found.

He had not been seen by any one since the previous afternoon. Just where
he was last seen was a mystery. One said he saw him coming from the pine
grove with Tim Short about dusk; others tried to convince themselves and
their friends that they had met him in this place or that, while a vague
report stated that he was last seen by the river bank passing hurriedly
from view in the darkness.

This was a sensational rumor. Was he drowned? Had he committed suicide?
If so, why? Every one discussed the case--speculated upon it. None
thought exactly alike, and each labored to persuade the other that his
theory was the correct one.

Matthew's parents and sister were heartbroken. They knew nothing of his
whereabouts, save that they believed he was safe, for they found a note
in his room saying simply that he was forced to leave town immediately;
that he could not then explain why, and that they would soon know all.
He begged them not to worry about him, and humbly asked their
forgiveness.

When Mr. Rexford heard that Matthew De Vere was missing, he immediately
had Tim Short arrested, charged with robbing and burning his store.

Sheriff Coombs served the papers upon Tim, who had not as yet learned
the news about Matthew.

When the sheriff spoke to him he was too badly frightened to reply.

"I shall have to take you with me," said the officer; "no way out of it
now. The law ain't tender hearted with fellers that rob and burn.
Besides, that De Vere boy has run away."

Tim staggered and fell to the ground. He had fainted dead away. When he
regained consciousness his first words were:

"And now Matthew De Vere has run away and left me when he was the cause
of it all." Great tears rolled down his cheeks and he sobbed bitterly.

Even the sheriff's heart was touched, and his official bearing relaxed