feelings. The others of the family
also noticed the abrupt mariner in which Fred absconded; but excused his
doing so by attributing it to the bashfulness of his bad looks rendered
so by his illness.

"Why, Fred," said Eliza after Clara was gone, "what caused you to make
such a runaway as that?"

"Why, Fred," cried Amelia, "you sprang up as if you had been startled by
a shock of electricity?"

"I thought, Fred," exclaimed Charlotte, "was going to play
'hide-and-go-seek', with Clara, when I saw him jump up and run off so
fast."

"Perhaps he intended that to be the play," said Mrs. Charlston, with a
sly wink looking to Fred.

"Ah, the deceiver that she is!" exclaimed Fred irritably. "She is a vile
woman."

"Why, Fred, Fred, why all this! are you really going mad?"

"No, mother, I am not mad, although I have been bitten deeply enough to
have made me as mad as a raving maniac."

"Why, Fred," said she, "do tell us what is the matter with you then--the
why and wherefore also."

"Well, mother, had you not asked of me to do so I would not of my own
accord; but since you demand an explanation, I will give you my reasons,
and then leave you to judge seriously whether I have acted right or
wrong."

Fred then related all that he had seen and heard respecting Clara and
Charlie Holstrom.

"But are you sure 'twas really them?" said his mother, when he had
finished telling them.

"Mother, do you for a moment attempt to doubt my word?" exclaimed Fred.

"My dear son, I do not; but I thought you might be mistaken in them,
especially at night. However, the next time that Clara comes here, I
will question her plainly about it. I shall then hear her version of the
story, and will be enabled to judge more correctly. If I find out that
she has been keeping company with Charlie I shall forbid her to enter my
house again."

"Do as you please, mother; but I have resolved never to speak to her
again," said Fred, and walked off to his room, leaving his mother and
sisters to talk over the matter.

On the third evening afterwards Clara made her appearance at Mr.
Charlston's. After the usual preliminaries of courtesy were disposed of,
Mrs. C. requested Clara to walk into the library room as she desired to
speak a few minutes to her, alone. Fred had snugly enclosed himself in
his bed-chamber. The others of the family were in the parlor.

Having seated themselves Mrs. Charlston addressed Clara, and related all
the particulars she k