THE GOVERNOR.
It was with emotions no words can express that both father and son entered their carriage and were driven off to their hotel. Never had the sun shone so brightly; never had the autumn foliage looked half so beautiful; never had the old, familiar streets and buildings seemed so dear. In their very happiness they were silent until nearly to their destination; then Mr. Boyd broke the silence by saying, tremulously:
"Oh, Budd! if your mother only knew of my vindication! If she had only lived to see this day!"
"She does know of it," replied Budd, simply.
"I believe it; and, like myself, she is proud of her boy;" and Mr. Boyd looked lovingly down into the face of his son.
The dinner at the Executive mansion was a simple affair, the Governor seeming to understand Mr. Boyd's feelings in this respect. There were there the members of the Executive Council; the Judge who had presided at Mr. Boyd's trial; Mr. Johnson; Mr. Boyd's lawyer, and a half-dozen prominent business men that Mr. Boyd had been accustomed to meet in other days. They all congratulated him warmly upon his established innocence, and assured him of their friendship and help when he had decided upon his future business plans.
He thanked them all for their expressions of kindness, but added, with evident pride:
"My son has a home for me, and there I will go for the present."
At four o'clock he and Budd left the city; at five they were in Providence, and at six they were at their village depot, where they were met by Judd. Ten minutes later they were on the Sea Witch, bound for the island.
As they reached their own wharf Mr. Boyd stepped out of the boat and looked around him. Then he said tenderly, almost reverently: