G8 THE MISSING BOOK.

“T have found this book where I least expected to
find it, and where, before searching, I should have felt
certain it would not be found. It was concealed under.
papers and pamphlets on the desk of Maurice Gray.”

Maurice involuntarily started at the sound of his
name, but soon recovered himself, and looked steadily
at his teacher.

“Q Maurice!” said Mr. Harding, with much feel-
ing, “have I indeed been deceived in you? Why did
you not, as on former occasions, come forward and
confess your fault ?”

Maurice arose in his seat and said respectfully, “I
have nothing to confess, sir. I did not know the book
was there.” |

‘Then you accuse some one,” said Mr. Harding, “of
secreting the book under papers upon your desk, do
you ?”

“It must have been done by some one else, sir,”
answered Maurice, “for I have never read, nor even
taken in my hand, a book from the circulating library
‘since I entered your school.”

“The missing book is found secreted upon your
desk, Maurice,” said Mr. Harding. « Everything looks
against you ; but I am persuaded you have never yet
deceived me.”

“Circumstances are certainly against me, sir,” said
Maurice, looking calmly at his teacher with his full,
honest eye; “but I do not dare to lie or deceive, I