Before this time James and his mother had removed into a pleasant house, for which he paid a rent of four hundred dollars yearly.  His salary was only eight hundred dollars, but he deceived his mother by telling her that it was fifteen hundred.  Every comfort that she needed was fully supplied, and she was beginning to feel that, after a long struggle with the world, her happier days had come.

James was at his desk when the letter was received by Mr. Carman.  He looked at his employer, and saw him change countenance suddenly.  The letter was read twice, and James saw that the contents appeared to disturb his employer.  Mr. Carman glanced toward the desk and their eyes met.  It was only for a moment, but the look that James received made his heart stop beating.

[Illustration:  “The look that James received made his heart stop beating.”]

There was something about the movements of the merchant for the rest of the day that troubled the young man.  It was plain to him that suspicion had been aroused by that letter.  Oh, how bitterly now did he repent!  How he dreaded discovery and punishment!  Exposure would disgrace and ruin him, and bow the head of his widowed mother even to the grave.

That evening at supper, Mrs. Lewis noticed that her son did not eat; and that his face was troubled.

“You are not well,” she said “perhaps a rest will make you feel better.”

“It’s nothing but a headache; I’ll lie down on the sofa in the parlor a little while.”

Mrs. Lewis followed him into the parlor shortly, and sitting down on the sofa on which he was lying, placed her hand upon his head.  Ah, it would take more than the loving pressure of a mother’s hand to ease the pain which he was suffering.  The touch of that pure hand increased the pain to agony.

“Do you feel better?” asked Mrs. Lewis.  She had remained some time with her hand on his forehead.

“Not much,” he replied; “I think a walk in the open air will do me good,” he added, rising.

“Don’t go out, James,” said Mrs. Lewis, a troubled feeling coming into her heart.

“I’ll only walk a few squares,” he replied, as he hurried down the street.

“There is something more than headache the matter with him,” thought Mrs. Lewis.

For half an hour James walked without any purpose in his mind beyond the escape from the presence of his mother.  At last his walk brought him near Mr. Carman’s store, and in passing, he was surprised at seeing a light within.

“What can this mean?” he asked himself, a new fear creeping into his trembling heart.

He listened by the door and windows, but he could hear no sound within.

“There’s something wrong,” he said; “what can it be?  If this is discovered what will be the end of it?  Ruin! ruin!  O my poor mother!”

The wretched young man hastened on, walking the streets for two hours, when he returned home.  His mother met him when he entered, and with unconcealed anxiety, asked him if he were better.  He said “yes,” but in a manner that only increased the trouble she felt.  He then passed hastily to his own room.