sufficiently calm to reflect
upon what had occurred, for the thought that he was accused of theft
came with such bitterness to his soul that for several hours he was
almost frantic. But as he grew more composed he became confident that
this was the work of Alfred, and he remembered the triumphant leer
that stood upon his cousin's countenance when the hiding-place of the
missing note was proclaimed.

Just at this moment his meditations were disturbed by the sound of
footsteps stealthily approaching his door, and the next instant it was
opened, and Alfred Lindsay stood upon the threshold, gazing exultingly
upon Arthur's misery, while a malicious smile wreathed his lips as
pointing his finger exultingly at him, the single word, "thief!" fell
upon the ear of his victim. Oh! how that undeserved epithet stung the
innocent and sensitive boy; and, almost maddened by the sense of his
injuries, he rushed toward the offender, impelled by but one
thought--the wish for revenge. But, coward-like, Alfred fled from his
approach, and then closing the door, and locking it, Arthur threw
himself upon his couch in tearless, voiceless agony. It was not until
the shades of evening had closed in that he roused himself from the
stupor into which he had been thrown by those overpowering emotions.
And now came a determination that he would no longer remain in his
uncle's house, where he knew that he must ever after be subjected to
the sneers and gibes of his cousins. He resolved to quit Mr. Lindsay's
dwelling, though he knew not of any other roof where he might find a
shelter for his aching head.

That night, when the unbroken stillness that reigned around gave
assurance that the family had all retired to rest, Arthur Sydney stole
softly down the stairs, and taking with him nothing but a small bundle
of clothing, and the few treasured memorials of other days that he
could lawfully call his own, he left forever the mansion of his uncle.
And as he looked his last upon the home of Alfred Lindsay, there rose
in his heart a wild, dark resolve, that if he ever possessed the
power, his cousin should one day reap the fruits of his evil deed.

For hours the youth wandered listlessly through the now deserted
streets of the city, till at last overcome with fatigue, and
completely unnerved as the full sense of his desolate situation burst
upon him, he seated himself near the edge of one of the wharves, and
wept long and bitterly. Suddenly a hand was laid