OR, CLARENCE MORTIMER. 95

 

those whose actions please us, and we are
very apt to try to imitate ourselves that
which we admire in others.

Clare Mortimer had chosen bad boys for
his friends, and his character had not. at all
improved under their influence, though he.
was not conscious that he had changed in
the least. The very knowledge that he was
deceiving his kind mother by making her
believe that he was following out her wishes,
was enough to harm him and make him
ready for other sins. |

4 Come, Clare, we will walk home with
you, if you would like it,” said Dick, passing
his arm through Clare’s in the most friendly
manner, while Ben came up on the other
side of him. |

‘¢T shall be glad of your company,” said

Clare. <«* Hal is.kept in this afternoon, so