Chapter XX · PERCE SETTLES WITH HIS PARTNERS.

There was no longer any question as to what should be done with the contribution the boarders had made up to reward the humane efforts of Olly’s rescuers.

They had collected ten dollars. To this Mr. Hatville begged the privilege of adding ten more.

“For finding my watch—and for my treatment of the finder!” he said.

But Percival couldn’t bear that anything like that should cloud the great joy with which the welcome light of truth filled his soul.

“I don’t want any reward for anything!” he exclaimed. “I can’t take your money!” And he pushed back Mr. Hatville’s contribution across the hall table. “But I’ve no right to refuse anything intended for my friends; and, if the ladies insist, I will take their money and give it to Moke and Poke.”

“Moke and Poke!” said Amy, with a laugh. “What names!”

“They are my partners, on the beach. The Elder boys—Moses and Porter,” Perce explained.

The ladies did insist; and, with light feet and a lighter heart, he hastened down the sandy path to the shore.

The twins, who had resumed their work, were inclined to show a little resentment of their partner’s prolonged absence. They wished to know what “that man” wanted of him, and where he had been all the while.

“I’ve been getting a reward for you!” said Perce gayly.

“A reward?” cried Moke.

“For what?” asked Poke.

“For rescuing Olly,” Perce replied, opening his hand and showing the money. “Here it is,—with the compliments of the lady boarders at Mrs. Murcher’s.

“Oh!” ejaculated Moke.

“Ho!” aspirated Poke.

“We didn’t want any pay for that!” said both together.

“But it took your time, and interrupted your work; and it really seemed a pleasure for them to give you something. Olly’s a great favorite up there,” added Percival.

“Five dollars!” shouted Moke, brandishing his share above his head.

“Five dollars!” shrieked Poke, capering wildly on the sand.

They had never in their lives been so rich. But where was Percival’s share?

“They offered me ten dollars—or at least the man did. But I didn’t take it. The truth is, boys,——” And, after a little hesitation, Perce told the story of the watch that he had found and restored to the owner.

“And it was Olly that borrowed and lost it?” exclaimed Moke.

“And never told us!” ejaculated Poke.

“Why didn’t you tell us you found it?” cried both together.

“As we were partners,—going halves in everything,—I didn’t know—” Perce blushed and stammered—“I didn’t know but you’d want your share of that, too!”

“Oh, nonsense!” said Poke.

“Of course we shouldn’t!” said Moke.

So that matter was settled,—far more easily and satisfactorily, Perce thought, than might have been the case if no owner for the watch had been found.

“Come!” said Moke, looking again at his money before pocketing it; “we’ve done enough work for one day.”

“Never mind about hauling any more kelp,” said Poke.

“We’ll have the fun of coming again to-morrow,” said both together.

Perce himself was quite willing to go home to dinner. So, having dumped their last load of seaweed (which would not be much more than a third of a load when, after it was well rotted, they should haul it to the farms), they filled up the cart-box with driftwood. Upon that they laid their blankets; and presently climbed up to the top themselves, after bidding good-bye to the beach and the bright sea, and turning the oxen into the wild woodland road.

Then, mounted comfortably upon their loaded cart, they drove back through beautiful sunshine and shade, making the woods ring once more with their voices in glad chorus:

Although he had no money to show, Percival was not the least contented of the three with the result of their work.

He had done something for his friend Olly, and for Mr. Hatville; and no reward could have given him quite so pure a satisfaction as the feeling that he had done it without reward.

Moreover, as he had liberated the watch and chain from their slimy environment of rockweed and kelp, even so his conscience and his good name had been freed from the entanglement that at one time threatened to drag them into a hideous abyss. To have kept his honor unsullied was a greater joy than the possession of many watches.

Yet I can not say that Perce Bucklin was made very unhappy when, not long after, he received by express from Boston a small package, which, on being opened, was found to contain a very pretty silver Swiss watch, and a card bearing Mr. Hatville’s name. It was certainly a gratifying token of that gentleman’s confidence and regard.

THE END.

FUN IN HIGH LIFE.