public tribunals, as I
have a right to do."

Dawkins turned pale at this allusion, and muttering some words to the
effect that he would do what he could, left the counting-room.

This threat proved not to be without its effect. The next day he came to
Mr. Danforth and brought the sum for which he had become responsible. He
had represented to his father that he had had his pocket picked of this
sum belonging to Mr. Danforth, and in that manner obtained an equal
amount to replace it. It was some time before Mr. Dawkins learned the
truth. Then came a storm of reproaches in which all the bitterness of
his father's nature was fully exhibited. There had never been much love
between father and son. Henceforth there was open hatred.

We must return to Paul, whom we left in much trouble.

It was a sad walk which he took homeward on the morning of his
dismissal.

"What brings you home so early?" asked Mrs. Cameron, looking up from her
baking, as Paul entered.

Paul tried to explain, but tears came to his eyes, and sobs choked his
utterance.

"Are you sick, Paul?" exclaimed Mrs. Cameron, in alarm.

"No, Aunt Hester."

"Then what is the matter?" she asked anxiously.

"I have lost my place."

"Poor boy! I am very sorry to hear it. But it might have been worse."

"No, not very well, Aunt Hester, for Mr. Danforth thinks I have taken
some of his money."

"He is very unjust!" exclaimed Aunt Hester, indignantly, "he ought to
have known better than to think you would steal."

"Why, no," said Paul, candidly, "I must confess the evidence was against
me, and he doesn't know me as well as you do, Aunt Hester."

"Tell me all about it, Paul."

Aunt Hester sat down and listened attentively to our hero's story.

"How do you account for the money being found in your pocket?" she asked
at length.

"I think it must have been put there by some one else."

"Have you any suspicions?"

"Yes," said Paul, a little reluctantly, "but I don't know whether I
ought to have. I may be wronging an innocent person."

"At any rate it won't do any harm to tell me."

"You've heard me speak of George Dawkins?"

"Yes."

"I can't help thinking that he put the fifty dollars into my pocket, and
took the rest himself."

"How very wicked he must be!" exclaimed Mrs. Cameron, indignantly.

"Don't judge him too hastily; Aunt Hester, he may not be guilty, and I
know from my own experience how hard it is to be accused when you are
innocent."