"His friendship, too, with Nellie Dutton is re-established, and I can do no more to prevent it," sighed Matthew regretfully. "I met her this morning and she would not speak to me, but she entertained Fred all last evening." While thus meditating, the report that Jacob Simmons had been arrested for burning Mr. Rexford's store reached Matthew. He hurried home and to his room, and there threw himself upon his bed and wept bitterly. Disappointment, disgrace, and humiliation all crowded upon him, and the inevitable step that he must take stared him cruelly in the face. His heart beat with bitter anguish as he thought of all this--of his good home, of his father's pride in him and of his mother's love, of his sister's tender affection--thought of all those near and dear to him--and shuddered as he realized the disappointment and sorrow that was to fall heavily upon them from his own wicked acts. He buried his face in his pillow and sobbed till it seemed that his heart would break. "Oh, if I could only undo the past!" he cried. But he had gone too far. His pride and haughty spirit were completely crushed, and when he finally arose from his bed he was humbled indeed. The following morning all Mapleton was excited by the report that Matthew De Vere could not be found. He had not been seen by any one since the previous afternoon. Just where he was last seen was a mystery. One said he saw him coming from the pine grove with Tim Short about dusk; others tried to convince themselves and their friends that they had met him in this place or that, while a vague report stated that he was last seen by the river bank passing hurriedly from view in the darkness. This was a sensational rumor. Was he drowned? Had he committed suicide? If so, why? Every one discussed the case--speculated upon it. None thought exactly alike, and each labored to persuade the other that his theory was the correct one. Matthew's parents and sister were heartbroken. They knew nothing of his whereabouts, save that they believed he was safe, for they found a note in his room saying simply that he was forced to leave town immediately; that he could not then explain why, and that they would soon know all. He begged them not to worry about him, and humbly asked their forgiveness. When Mr. Rexford heard that Matthew De Vere was missing, he immediately had Tim Short arrested, charged with robbing and burning his store. Sheriff Coombs served the papers upon Tim, who had not as yet learned the news about Matthew. When the sheriff spoke to him he was too badly frightened to reply. "I shall have to take you with me," said the officer; "no way out of it now. The law ain't tender hearted with fellers that rob and burn. Besides, that De Vere boy has run away." Tim staggered and fell to the ground. He had fainted dead away. When he regained consciousness his first words were: