"Well, I am glad of that," said Fred, and he thought of Alice Montgomery and how she had befriended him.
"My name has been completely cleared," said Mr. Markham, with much pride in his voice. "I shall start again in business here—at the old stand."
"And I guess the Gibbs place will be shut up," said Fred.
"It is shut up already, and the officers of the law are in possession," answered the lawyer. "He overstepped himself as soon as he went to the city and tried to borrow money under a false name."
At the wish of Mrs. Baxter, Mr. Bronson had been elected president of the bank. A complete investigation revealed many crooked things done by Mr. Montgomery, and he was glad enough to leave town, taking his whole family with him. Later on, it was learned by Fred that Alice had left the others, and, working her way through college, became a teacher in a young ladies' seminary. Bart drifted West and then to Alaska, and that was the last heard of him. Charlie Gibbs was sent to prison for a term of five years.
"Well, the clouds have passed at last, mother," said Fred, one day, after the excitement was a thing of the past.
"Yes, and I am truly thankful," responded Mrs. Markham.
"Come out, Fred!" yelled a voice from the street, and Soda appeared, accompanied by Bronson. "Going to have a last game of football between the First and Second Forms!"
"All right—I'm with you!" cried Fred good-naturedly, and ran to join them; and here we will say good-by to the High School Rivals.
THE END