ing money too freely for a clerk on a moderate salary.

Before this time James and his mother had removed into a pleasant house,
for which he paid a rent of four hundred dollars yearly. His salary was
only eight hundred dollars, but he deceived his mother by telling her
that it was fifteen hundred. Every comfort that she needed was fully
supplied, and she was beginning to feel that, after a long struggle with
the world, her happier days had come.

James was at his desk when the letter was received by Mr. Carman. He
looked at his employer, and saw him change countenance suddenly. The
letter was read twice, and James saw that the contents appeared to
disturb his employer. Mr. Carman glanced toward the desk and their eyes
met. It was only for a moment, but the look that James received made his
heart stop beating.

[Illustration: "_The look that James received made his heart stop
beating_."]

There was something about the movements of the merchant for the rest of
the day that troubled the young man. It was plain to him that suspicion
had been aroused by that letter. Oh, how bitterly now did he repent! How
he dreaded discovery and punishment! Exposure would disgrace and ruin
him, and bow the head of his widowed mother even to the grave.

That evening at supper, Mrs. Lewis noticed that her son did not eat; and
that his face was troubled.

"You are not well," she said "perhaps a rest will make you feel
better."

"It's nothing but a headache; I'll lie down on the sofa in the parlor a
little while."

Mrs. Lewis followed him into the parlor shortly, and sitting down on the
sofa on which he was lying, placed her hand upon his head. Ah, it would
take more than the loving pressure of a mother's hand to ease the pain
which he was suffering. The touch of that pure hand increased the pain
to agony.

"Do you feel better?" asked Mrs. Lewis. She had remained some time with
her hand on his forehead.

"Not much," he replied; "I think a walk in the open air will do me
good," he added, rising.

"Don't go out, James," said Mrs. Lewis, a troubled feeling coming into
her heart.

"I'll only walk a few squares," he replied, as he hurried down the
street.

"There is something more than headache the matter with him," thought
Mrs. Lewis.

For half an hour James walked without any purpose in his mind beyond the
escape from the presence of his mother. At last his walk brought him
near Mr. Carman's store, and in passing, he was surpr