"I thank you a thousand times, Mr. Farrington, for your willingness to let me off and for all your kindness to me. Now I know the value of a good friend. If it had not been for your kindness and assistance, when none spoke well of me, I might not have established my innocence. As it is, through your help I have gained everything."
On leaving Mr. Farrington, Fred went to Mr. Rexford and told him he should be obliged to give up the idea of taking his old position as clerk, and after explaining why, told him he wanted him to do him a favor by giving little Carl a position in his store at a fair salary, and to arrange his duties so that he would have only light work to do.
The merchant agreed to do this. In fact, he would have done almost anything for Fred, for he felt under many obligations to him.
Fred was very happy over the bright prospects for his little crippled friend, as it had been his own privilege to help him.
Fred's promotion to the bank created a sensation in the village, and he was looked upon as the luckiest person in town. It is safe to believe that Nellie Dutton rejoiced in Fred's good fortune far more than she was willing for any one to suspect. As time rolled on they were often seen together, and seemed like brother and sister.
That they were happy in each other's society there could be no doubt. Her influence upon him refined his manners and elevated his tastes, while associating with him was quite as beneficial to her in gaining broader ideas and contracting the habit of thinking and reasoning after the fashion of men.
The last time I saw them was on a beautiful evening in June. Dave Farrington and I were returning home from a trouting expedition. We were upon an elevated plain, where we could survey the surrounding country. Nature seemed at her best, and this was one of her choicest scenes. The rich green stretching everywhere before the eye was only broken by the white and pink blossoms of fruit trees and shrubbery. The sun was sinking behind a distant mountain which threw its shadow upon the landscape about us, and rich, golden hues spread out over the entire western horizon.
"A charming scene," remarked Dave, with true admiration.
"It is indeed," said I; "but here is beauty far more attractive."
Dave turned, and beholding Fred and Nellie close upon us, replied: