CHAPTER VI.

As might be expected, all the school was in a fever of excitement concerning the trial, and there was much running to and fro from the school-room to the library, on the part of the ambitious young lawyers, who were allowed to consult the best legal authorities, stored upon the dustiest shelf, which, by the way, was seldom disturbed from its profound quiet.

There was plenty of fun and frolic cropping out from outside gravity, and many sly suggestions concerning a wig for Dr. Polisher. and refreshments for the jury, and rods of office for the sheriffs. But, though I concealed a gladsome consciousness of coming restitution under my quiet demeanor, I could not help thinking how sad it was that my schoolmates should not all of them have a sorrowful anxiety as to the result. I wondered how they could help seeing that if this mock trial, which was giving them so much entertainment, proved me guilty of the theft of the boat, there must follow another trial whose result could scarcely be a jest.

Reg Motley did not forget that part of it, I am sure; and he gave me, now and then, a

PRIDE.

look of vindictive anger. I could not help wondering that it had not come out before, if he had mentioned the trial at home, until I heard him telling one of the boys that his father had gone away, but was expected home in the noon train.

Well, the afternoon came. The schoolroom had been arranged so as to resemble a court-room, and there was a box for the criminal, all sombre with its black drapery, and another for the jury, and a bench and table for the judge and clerk, the very height of awful dignity, we thought, when Mademoiselle Dupre spread it with green baize, and brought out the great inkstand, and scattered great red seals and ominously long papers over it.

Dr. Polisher, as I have said before, was to be judge, and Walter Brown clerk, and tall, stout Joe Danforth was the sheri hand we were informed that, besides Mademoiselle and Mr. Dayle, there were to be boys enough chosen from the school to complete the jury. A few people from the village, hearing of the affair, dropped in to see it through, and for a moment I began to feel as though I were really the criminal, especially when the affair opened precisely like a legitimate court, and

I am not sure, when I was marched down the aisle with the smart-looking sheriff, armed to the teeth, as he afterward expressed it, guarding me, but I felt a little tremor, especially as the key clicked in the padlock which secured the door, extemporized from a chamber shutter. But I caught a roguish glance from under Frank Joy's brown eyelashes, and was reassured.

The examination of the witnesses was necessarily brief, but was conducted in genuine court fashion. Two sailors from the Nautilus were brought forward at first, proving the identity of the Flirt with the missing boat of the yacht, beyond a question. How Reg Motley bridled up and looked over triumphantly toward the poor prisoner, as the two embarrassed tars sidled away from the witness stand!

Then half a dozen schoolboys followed, testifying that I had told them of my new boat, and declared it to be mine, though when they questioned me as to how or where I had obtained it, I had shown a strong desire to avoid their curiosity, and had given vague and evasive answers. Reg Motley had the bad taste to endeavor to volunteer insinuations against my character and station, which the judge, however, promptly reproved.

Frank Joy shot an indignant glance toward him, and called two or three of our best boys to give their opinion of the integrity of my conduct while in the school. The opposing lawyer, however, in cross-questioning, took opportunity to call the attention of the jury to the fact, that, while the last witnesses had been giving their opinion, simply, concerning my character, it had been incontrovertibly established that I was in possession of the missing boat.

Frank Joy called back Reg Motley to the stand to explain the circumstances of the boat's being out of the care of the Nautilus. It was pretty rough for Reg to go over that perilous affair and narrow escape of his, with my eye upon him. He flushed hotly, and more tha once hemmed down a rising embarrassment; but he got through without mentioning that Joe Stephens had any companion. Frank's eye and mine met more than once, and our lips curled with the same disdain of such mean ingratitude and stubborn spite. Frank looked at his watch, stated that he had hoped for an important witness, but feared that some serious delay had occurred. Would the judge wait, or must the trial go on?

The judge glanced at the lowering sun, and declared that matters must proceed. Frank bowed, and though I did not know exactly how he intended to manage matters, I felt assured they would come out right. Then William Weston began his plea. He did his best, and I am certain it was a very able effort for a lad of his years; for I saw Dr. Polisher's eyes twinkle, in a way they always did when one of his scholars showed especial signs of genius or industry. But it made me wince a little, for all my consciousness of innocence. I am positive he allowed Reg Motley to prejudice him, for he dwelt a long while upon the contagion one dishonest member could spread in a school of worthy boys, and insisted that the punishment for such a daring and unblushing wrong should not be light nor pitiful.

He made his bow after a brilliant and highly-wrought flight, and Frank Joy stepped forward. Dear, noble, honorable Frank! I knew by that kindling glow spreading over his face, that he was fired with warm indignation and zealous friendship. I cannot tell you what he said; there was a soft haze of tears in my eyes, and a ringing in my ears which kept me from understanding what I heard; but I know that he was chivalrous and eloquent in my behalf, and scathing and pitiless in his rebuke of my persecutors. Nevertheless, there was the poor show of evidence, and when the jury returned and the question was asked, "Do you find the prisoner at the bar guilty or not guilty?" both Frank and myself knew what the answer would be. You might have heard a pin drop, when it was spoken:

6

Guilty, your honor."

And then the sentence came, "Expulsion from school!"

I bit my lips, and though I knew it was a farce soon to be ended, I could not help a bitter sense of injustice.

Just at that moment there was something of a bustle outside the door. Frank Joy had been nervously fingering at his watch. He darted to the door and flung it open, and came back with a face-well, it was one sparkle of satisfaction.

"I beg the leniency of the honorable court. Here is the testimony I so earnestly desired to offer. Shall we hear it now, or order a new trial?"

"We will hear it now," said Dr. Polisher, rising and bowing obsequiously.

How everybody stared to see Mr. Motley

advance to the platform. Reg most of all. As for me, my heart gave a joyful leap. At last my restitution was coming.

Frank was all composure and suavity. "If the gentleman will wait a moment, we will hear the other witness first."

And before any one could object, Joe Stephens was at the stand telling over the rescue of Mrs. Motley and her son.

Frank managed him dexterously, so that the lady's disdainful manner was not referred to, and in a trice Joe was in his seat and Mr. Motley came forward.

Amidst the buzz of astonishment with which the school heard of my share in Reg Motley's rescue, you could hardly hear Frank's first words; but in a second or two it settled down again to silence.

"The gentleman will undoubtedly be surprised to hear that Master Maurice Stone has been accused, and tried, and found guilty of stealing the boat in which Mrs. Motley and her son were capsized. That he has just heard the sentence of expulsion from the academy because the boat, now named the Flirt, has been found in his possession."

"Stealing, indeed!" exclaimed Mr. Motley, indignantly. "Who could have been so absurd? Why, I gave him the boat myself!"

Frank Joy, quite unmindful of the dignity of his adopted profession, burst into a long, loud laugh. Well, really, it was ludicrous! If I could only paint for you the changing expressions in the faces there before us, from the judge and jury to the attentive lookerson!

I was not able to tell how Reg received this explanation; for when I turned to look for him, he had left the room.

And so the jury reversed their decision, and I came forth the undoubted master of the Flirt, and with something beyond that gained. I saw, as my schoolfellows crowded around me in congratulation, that Reg Motley's power had received a great shock, and that henceforward his open animosity could not injure me at the academy. They knew me now for a fellow who could keep quiet, and I think nothing I had done could have taken such hold upon their respect, as the fact that I had been silent under Reg's persecution, nor brought forward my claim in the much talked of rescue of Mrs. Motley and her son.

I was surrounded by a circle of them, all talking at once, in eager, excited tones, when Mr. Motley, accompanied by Dr. Polisher,

came toward me, and my schoolmates respectfully made way and hushed their noisy conversation, to watch what the great man of the place would say to me.

"This is the lad, sir," said our principal, "Master Maurice Stone. Mr. Motley wishes to speak with you."

I bowed, while I glanced at the gentleman's face, and then could not help smiling. It was a pleasant face, not at all like Reg's or Mrs. Motley's, in their haughty superciliousness.

"Well, my lad, I am sorry to hear that my poor reward for your gallantry has made you all this trouble; but I trust it is all right now. It is something to have such a triumphant vindication, I suppose ?"

"Yes sir," answered I, eagerly, "it is a great deal. I do not mind the vexation of it in the least now."

"I am rather ashamed of my son," continued Mr. Motley. "He ought to have known that a boy who could risk his own life so fearlessly to save others, would be above stealing. I am sorry that Reginald was not among your zealous defenders; but, I presume, he did not stop to think, and I don't believe he really understands that it was you who saved him. I hope you will enjoy the boat."

"O sir, so much! I want to thank you for it, and tell you how much it is to me!" The gentleman patted me on the shoulder in the most kindly manner.

"Yes, yes, I understand. You can handle her bravely, no doubt. I must try to look after you a little. I hope you and Reg will be good friends in future, and you must pay us a visit on some of the holidays."

And then he and Dr. Polisher went off into the library, and, after a few minutes' talk with Frank Joy, I left the academy and started on my way home.

At the turn of the street I met Reg. He was walking very fast, his head bent down, and his eyes on the ground, and almost stumbled over me before he perceived that any one was coming. When he recognized me, he flushed to his very forehead, and turned away with an angry jerk. But my heart was so full of satisfaction, I could not feel any ill-will toward him, and I held out my hand, and said:

"I hope you will be willing to be friends with me now, Reg, since you are sure that I am not the mean thief you supposed."

"No, I shall not be friends with you," answered Reg, with angry violence. "I do not like you. I shall never like you. You

"But why, Reg?" persisted I. "What have I done that is wrong? I wont be ungenerous enough to urge that I saved you from drowning; but is there any other reason why I am not as good as you, except that your father is rich, and my mother is a poor woman ?"

"I should think that was enough!" answered Reg, holding his hands behind him, as though he expected I intended to seize them. "But," expostulated I, speaking in as pleasant a tone as I could," a very little thing may change that. An accident may make you poor, and some sudden discovery give me wealth. This, you know, is a republican government."

"I don't know, and I don't care!" exclaimed the perverse boy. "I am sure of one thing, you're a low, mean fellow, and I aint a going to be friends with you. I always hated you, and I always shall, and you needn't think you are going to set yourself up as something great for the boys there at the academy. I tell you you've got to clear out." And having delivered himself of this unkind speech in a series of short, quick jerks, he turned and walked off.

"I shall try not to hate you, Reg," returned I, sorrowfully; for somehow it had seemed to me, if only Reg Motley would forego his animosity, all things would follow auspiciously.

I took possession of the Flirt, and rowed her to her former mooring-place, and then went home.

As I approached the door I heard voices, and, glancing through the window, I saw that my mother had company. Mr. Stark-, weather was there. Now I always dreaded Mr. Starkweather's visits. First because I was always sent out of hearing; but, most of all, because he always left my mother in such dejected spirits, that it would take full a week for her to recover her own gentle calmness.

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I tapped on the window, and said, hastily: Mother, may I go and take a sail in the Flirt, if you've no work for me?"

She seemed relieved at the idea, and, as as she came to the window, I saw a scarlet flush of excitement on her cheek, and the trace of tears on her eyelids.

“Yes, my son, you may go. Come and get some luncheon first, and take a thicker jacket. Mr. Starkweather is here."

"As if I hadn't discovered that! I could tell it by your face, if in no other way, the

But of course I made a respectful bow when I entered the room where the visitor sat.

"He is getting to be a fine lad, madam," said Mr. Starkweather, looking me over from head to foot. "If it wasn't for his education, he could make himself very useful to you."

"He does that now, sir. And, indeed, he would much prefer working for me now, rather than taking my earnings; but you agreed with me in deciding that he must have the education, at all hazards," said my mother, in an appealing voice.

"Certainly, certainly!" replied Mr. Starkweather; and then he added, turning to me, in an authoritative manner I was rather inclined to resent, "I trust, young lad, you improve in every possible way these advantages your mother obtains for you at so much sacrifice." "I do my best, sir," answered I, and made my escape as soon as possible; for there was a fond, tender smile on mother's face, which made me suspect she was going to make one of her dear, flattering speeches, and I did not want to hear it with those cold, bright eyes of Mr. Starkweather's on my face.

CHAPTER VII.

I HAD changed the jacket I wore to school for a coarser one, which had patches on the elbows, although it was neat and clean, as everything over which my mother had superintendence must be, and I took a pair of overalls under my arm, to put on when I got into the boat. I knew very well there was the best of reasons for me to take care of my clothes. I had no better garments than those I wore to the academy, and if I did not keep them nicely, I must go shabby. I had already magnificent plans in my head for earning with my boat enough to replenish them, without calling upon my generous, self-sacrificing mother, who turned and darned for herself to save money enough to keep me tidy.

I took a fishing-pole and some bait. At least I would earn our breakfast, I said; and if anything turned up whereby I could obtain an honest penny, why, I would have an alert eye for the opportunity.

So, whistling merrily, I shoved off from the shore. I was very happy that afternoon; not even the remembrance of Reg Motley's persistent enmity haunted me. I was all right