d been sold and the proceeds paid over to them.

"I'm going to Woodville, now, to face the music," replied Noddy. "I
suppose they will take me to the court-house; but I have made up my mind
to submit to the penalty, whatever it may be, for setting the boat-house
afire."

"Fanny has told all about it before this time, you may be certain,"
added Mollie, to whom he had related the story of the fire.

"I hope she has not; for I think I am the guilty one. She wouldn't have
set the fire if it hadn't been for me. I am going to stand right up to
it, and take the consequences, even if they send me to prison; but I
hope they won't do that."

"I'm sure they won't. But, Noddy, suppose Miss Fanny has not told the
truth yet. Will you still deceive your kind friends? You told me you had
been made over new since you left Woodville, and I know you have. You
said you meant to live a good life, and not lie, or steal, or get angry,
or do anything that is bad."

"Well, I mean so, Mollie. I intend to stick to it. They won't know
anything about that. They won't believe anything I say."

"They must believe you. I'll go with you, Noddy!" exclaimed she, smiling
at the happy thought. "I will tell them all about you."

"That will be jolly; and the sooner we go the better."

Their good friend the captain found a gentleman who was going to New
York, and they accompanied him, though Noddy felt abundantly able to
take care of himself and his fair charge. They arrived the next morning,
and took an early train for Woodville.

Noddy conducted Mollie down the road to the lawn in front of the house.
His heart bounded with emotion as he once more beheld the familiar
scenes of the past. As he walked along he pointed out to his interested
companion the various objects which were endeared to him by former
associations. He talked because he could not help it; for he was so
agitated he did not know whether he was on his head or his heels. He
heard a step on one of the side paths. He turned to see who it was, and
Bertha Grant rushed towards him.

"Why, Noddy! It that you?" cried she, grasping him with both hands. "I
am so glad to see you!"

"You'd better believe I'm glad to see you again," said he, trying to
keep from crying.

The poor fellow actually broke down, he was so much affected by the
meeting.

"I didn't expect to see you again for years, after the letter you wrote
me."

"Been cast away, Miss Bertha, and lived two months on an island wh