"Oh, yes, I have been well entertained, thank you, but I didn't realize that I was waiting for you." "Why, didn't Nellie tell you?" "No, sir." "I forgot to say you wanted to see him, we were so busy talking," put in Nellie. "Oh, that's it; well, all right. But, Fred, I have been hearing good reports of you," the doctor continued. "I am glad to know that, and I hope I merit them," replied Fred modestly. "I think there is no doubt of it." "It is refreshing to hear you say so after knowing all the bad reports that have been circulated against me during the last few weeks." "Never mind, my boy; you have stood the fire nobly, and are surely winning the fight." Fred's heart leaped with joy at these reassuring words from the doctor. "Do you think so?" he said, at length. "There is very little doubt of it, and I think I have a surprise for you," taking from his pocket the paper Nellie had found and placing it in Fred's hands. Our young hero quickly ran his eye over it, and was amazed at its contents. It read thus: MAPLETON, November 17th, 187--. Matthew De Vere and me was waitin' near the old Booker barn to club Fred Worthington. Matthew hired me to help him. We both had a club. 'Twas 'bout twelve o'clock in the night I gess. Matthew sed he was goin' to get square with Fred. Matthew told me to strike him on the leg, and he sed he would do the efecktive work and fix him so he wouldn't interfear with him any more. When you come along we darted on you thinking you was Fred. I hit you a hard clip on the leg. Matthew was reddy to strike you on the head, but saw his mistake and stopped jest in time and ran away. (Signed) TIM SHORT. The above statement is true. MATTHEW DE VERE. "Have you ever seen this paper before?" asked the doctor. "No, sir, never." "Knew nothing of it?" "No, sir." "You little realized, then, how near you came to being waylaid and----" but the doctor didn't finish the sentence. "I never had the slightest suspicion of it." "It was a bold plot." "And a wicked one," added Mrs. Dutton, who had now joined the group in the library. "But what kept you out so late that night?" asked the doctor. Fred examined the date of Mr. Simmons' paper. "It was the night of Grace Bernard's party." "Yes, so it was--I remember the date now; but in going from Mr. Bernard's to your home you could not pass the old Booker barn." Fred's face grew suddenly red. The temperature of the room seemed to him suffocatingly warm. He stood on one foot, embarrassed, trying to think how to explain. His color very strangely seemed to be reflected upon Nellie's cheeks. Just then she appeared to be much interested in the evening paper, and held it much nearer to her eyes than was her custom. "You shouldn't ask so many questions," said Mrs. Dutton to her husband, smiling at the young folks' embarrassment. "Ah, ha! I see now. Jealousy, was it?"