In the evening he called on Mrs.Morpher, whose motherly heart was really alarmed.

Mr.Morpher had spent all day in search of her, without discovering a trace that might lead to her discovery.

Aristides was summoned as a probable accomplice, but that equitable infant succeeded in impressing the household with his innocence.

Mrs.Morpher entertained a vivid impression that the child would yet be found drowned in a ditch, or, what was almost as terrible, muddied and soiled beyond the redemption of soap and water.

Sick at heart, the master returned to the schoolhouse.