The long absence of his wayward boy had softened his feelings toward him; and with pain he remembered many acts of harshness that now seemed to have in them too much of the element of severity.

At the term of the Court, which was held soon after Andrew went away, the Grand Jury failed to obtain sufficient evidence to justify the finding of a bill against him, and released the security given for his appearance at Court.

This fact, with a previous questioning of the policeman by whom Andrew had been arrested, satisfied Mr.Howland that the boy had been unjustly suspected of an intention to commit a crime.

But this conviction had come too late.
The effects of that unjust accusation had already fallen in sad consequences upon the head of the poor boy; and the father could not force from his mind the painful conviction that he was, mainly, responsible for these consequences.
Another year went by, but during all the time, no further tidings came of Andrew.

To his first letter, Mrs.Howland had immediately replied, urging him, by every tender consideration, to return to his home.