Two days passed; then came the report of Fred's arrest. The news made her cheeks burn. She condemned herself for having written the letter, and while the shock was fresh upon her she destroyed it. And as it lay in the waste basket, torn into little pieces, she looked at it and felt almost sorry she had been so hasty; even wished, though she hardly dared acknowledge it to herself, that he had the letter, guilty or not. She took his note from her pocket and read it again; then buried her face in her hands in deep thought. She was interrupted by Grace Bernard, who ran in to spend a little time with her. "Oh, isn't it good news?" she exclaimed, in her animated, girlish way. "Isn't what good news?" asked Nellie curiously. "Why, the result of the trial. Haven't you heard of it?" "Has he been acquitted?" asked Nellie eagerly. "Yes." "No, I had not heard of the result," she replied, blushing as she realized the interest she had shown. "I only learned of the trial a few minutes ago." "I am so glad he was proved innocent. I think it was shameful to bring such a charge against him," returned Grace. "He has been unfortunate," replied Nellie, refraining from an expression of her own feelings. "Yes, he has; but I do not believe any of the charges against him. Father said that Mr. Rexford was confused and embarrassed at the trial. It all came out about Fred's discharge and the missing money." "Was it favorable to Fred?" "Yes. Mr. Rexford had to retract his own testimony, and acknowledge that Fred was right." "Did they learn anything about the missing money?" "No; but father said there was no proof that Fred took it, and no good reason for thinking so. You know I told you when the report first started that I did not believe it." "Yes, I know you did," replied Nellie, dropping her eyes, and thinking of the reference to the fact in Fred's letter to her. "Dave told me a few days ago," continued Grace, "that Fred thought nearly all of his friends had turned against him, and that he felt terribly hurt about it. I know I have not turned against him, and I shall write and tell him so; then he will know he has one friend at least." "He already knows it," said Nellie, in a slightly bitter tone. "Why, how can that be, and what leads you to think so?" asked Grace, with surprise. "I mean--probably he knows it. Dave might have told him," replied Nellie, with evident embarrassment at the fact she had unintentionally disclosed, and her inability to explain how she came by this information without making reference to Fred's letter to her. Grace looked puzzled, and after a pause said: "Yes, possibly he knows it, but I wish to be sure of it; and as I have no opportunity of seeing him now he is at work in the factory, I will write the letter and mail it to him. It can do no harm."