CHAPTER XXII--DARK DAYS

On his way to his aunt's house, Harry met Jed Brown, hobbling along, a valise in his hand.

One look at the boy's white face told the veteran that some new trouble had come to him, and he solicitously inquired its cause.

Harry, however, was not disposed to share his grief with anyone.

"Going away?" he asked, warding off the question.

"Yes, down to my sister's at Lawrenceburgh. You know I told you and Mrs. Watson the other night that I was going down--and this afternoon we were talking it over and decided that if I was to do any good, I ought to start without delay."

For a moment Harry was silent as he strove to master himself sufficiently to speak about his father's dilemma.

"I--I hope you'll be able to find out something, Jed," he said, but his voice quavered pitifully and as he heard it, a light of understanding broke over the aged cripple.

"Have the boys found out about the business?" he asked.

"Yes."

"How?"

"Pud Snooks saw the announcement of the court in a paper that is sent to his mother from Lawrenceburgh."

At the mention of the source of the information, the veteran's brow clouded.

"That Snooks had better watch out!" he snapped. "I--" then he evidently thought better of his intention to say anything further concerning the bully; and taking Harry's hand, he exclaimed: "Just keep good courage in your heart, boy. Things will come out all right. Go about your study and play exactly as though nothing had happened. I'll let you hear from me in a few days. And now I must go or I shall miss my train."

And giving the boy's hand another hearty shake, the crippled veteran started again on his way to the railroad station.

Not more than a few steps had he taken, however, then he felt a hand on his valise, and turning quickly, in the fear that it might be some of the boys who delighted to play tricks on him, he had a snarl on his lips, when he saw that it was Harry.

"I'll go down to the station with you, Mr. Brown," he announced. "Just let me take your valise."

Glad of the assistance, for he had found his bag heavier than he thought, the veteran held the conversation to cheerful topics, and not again was the unfortunate matter, so close to the hearts of both, mentioned. And waiting until the train departed, Harry took his way home.

But he was not as bereft of friends as he had thought.

No sooner had he taken his departure from the river than the boys who had gathered about the iceboat took up the discussion of the affair.

"Well, even if Mr. Watson does go to jail, that doesn't mean we should throw Harry down!" announced Paul, resolutely.

Quickly several of the other boys reiterated this opinion, but more of them sided with Elmer and Pud.

"You can associate with him if you want to--but I don't think your father will let you," sneered the rich lad.

"I know mine won't," declared the bully. But instead of his words making the impression he had intended, they drew a burst of laughter from Paul and Jerry.

"What do you find so funny about that?" demanded Pud, angrily.

"That your father should forbid your associating with anyone," returned Paul.

"Say, do you think I ain't as good as the Martins or the Posts or any people in Rivertown?"

"I'm not saying anything about that. It merely struck me that a fellow who was only saved from serious trouble by the kindheartedness of an old man whom he had tormented in every way possible ought not to make too many comments about other people," exclaimed Paul, coolly, but uttering each word with deliberation.

Instantly the boys realized that Paul had referred to the incident of the fire which burned Jed Brown's home, and they awaited the effect upon the bully with eagerness. But it was not what they expected.

For a moment, Pud looked into the eyes of the boy who had taken up the cudgels for his absent chum; then lowered his own, growled something that none of his auditors could understand, and skated away.

"Now you go, too, Craven," advised Jerry. "If I were you, I'd hire Pud to go round with me--or else stop talking about Harry Watson."

"What do you mean?" demanded the rich student.

"Didn't I make myself plain enough? I said for you to stop talking about Harry Watson."

"Huh, I'd like to see anyone stop me."

"Well, you will, if you don't watch out."

At the words, Craven skated away from Jerry, evidently mindful of the blow he had received from Harry; and with one accord, the excited crowd of boys broke into small groups whose sole topic of conversation was the news from Lawrenceburgh.

Among the townsfolk as well as the scholars, the story spread, and in due time Mr. Larmore and all the teachers heard of it.

"I don't belief it!" announced Prof. Schmidt, emphatically, when it was told him at supper. And when he had finished the meal, the kindly old German put on his fur coat and cap and went round to call on Mrs. Watson.

The coming of the professor was distinctly embarrassing to both the good woman and her nephew. But he soon put them at their ease by announcing that he hoped Harry would not let the matter keep him from school.

"That's just what we were talking about when you came, Professor," declared Mrs. Watson.

A ring at the door-bell interrupted her and when Harry answered it and admitted the principal of the Rivertown High School, she became even more confused.

Mr. Larmore, however, quickly made it evident that he had come for the same purpose as had the genial old German; and after much talking, Mrs. Watson finally agreed that her nephew should continue his studies.

But it was a quiet and sober Harry who entered his classroom the next morning.

His friends strove to convey their sympathy and belief in him by cordial nods. But their kindness was more than offset by the sneers and grunts with which his enemies greeted him. So keenly did the boy feel them that he made his laboratory work an excuse for not joining his companions during the recesses.

What hurt him most, however, was Viola's attitude. Though she had smiled at him when he had entered the classroom, when he had tried to speak to her she had skilfully prevented it by moving away when she saw him approaching. And deeply did her action cut Harry, so that he vowed to himself he would not give her another opportunity to cause him pain.

For some time things drifted along, and Harry continued to be the storm center of the school world. Some of his fellows shunned him, and others tried to establish themselves on even a more friendly footing with him than at first. But Harry's attitude was neutral, his only decided stand being to refuse to appear in the Pi Eta society room, though his friends endeavored in every way to persuade him.

During that time old Jed Brown did not return to Rivertown, nor did our hero hear from the old veteran. Harry's aunt heard from Mr. Watson, but the news was not encouraging.

"They still consider your father guilty," said the aunt to the youth. "But we know he is innocent, and some day the world will know it, too."

"Perhaps," said Harry, sadly. "But, oh, Aunt Mary, to have him in prison! It is awful! I can't bear to think of it!"