CHAPTER X.
A RUNAWAY'S STORY, AND ITS HAPPY ENDING.
During the three days that passed before Mr.Elmer's return, the large field was made ready for ploughing, most of the post-holes were dug, the soil being so light as to make that an easy matter, and Mark and Jan had cut a number of cedar posts, and got them ready to be rafted down the river.
During this time, also, Frank March had improved so rapidly that he was able to sit up and take an interest in what was going on.

He had become much attached to Mrs.Elmer, and seemed very happy in her company.
Neither she nor the children had asked him any questions concerning his past life, preferring to wait until he should tell the story of his own accord.
On the third evening of his being with them he was helped into the sitting-room, and lay on the sofa listening intently to Mrs.Elmer as she read to Mark and Ruth a chapter from a book of travels that they had begun on the schooner.

As she finished and closed the book, the boy raised himself on his elbow, and said, "Mrs.Elmer, I want to tell you something, and I want Mark and Ruth to hear too." "Well, my boy," said Mrs.Elmer, kindly, "we shall be glad to hear whatever you have to tell, if it won't tire and excite you too much." "No, I don't think it will," replied Frank.

"I feel as if I must tell you what a bad boy I have been, and how sorry I am for it.

More than a month ago I stole father's gun and dog, and twenty dollars that I found in his desk, and ran away from him.