e entertainment, and took seats on the platform.

The hall was well filled, the scale of prices being the same as at
Wilkesville.

"Mr. Gray," whispered the secretary joyfully, "it is a great success!
After paying all bills the club will clear fifty dollars."

"I am delighted to hear it," said Philip.

The professor commenced the entertainment, and was followed by Philip.

As Philip began to play his attention was drawn to three persons who
were entering the hall.

These were a lady, a little girl, and a stout gentleman, in whom Philip,
almost petrified with amazement, recognized his old acquaintance, Squire
Pope, of Norton, who had shown himself so anxious to provide him a home
in the poor-house.

CHAPTER XXXV. SQUIRE POPE IS AMAZED.

Though Philip did not know it, it chanced that Squire Pope's only
sister, Mrs. Cunningham, lived in Knoxville. She was a widow, fairly
well off, with a young daughter, Carrie--a girl of twelve. Squire Pope
had long thought of visiting his sister, and happening about this time
to have a little business in a town near-by, he decided to carry out
his long-deferred plan. He arrived by the afternoon train, in time for
supper.

"I am glad you are here to-night, brother," said Mrs. Cunningham.

"Why particularly to-night, Sister Ellen?" asked the squire.

"Because there is to be an entertainment for the benefit of the Young
Men's Literary Club. It is expected to be very interesting."

"What sort of an entertainment, Ellen?" asked the squire.

"The celebrated elocutionist, Professor Riccabocca, is to give some
readings--"

"Riccabocca!" repeated the squire, in a musing tone. "I can't say I ever
heard of him."

"Nor I; but I hear he's very celebrated."

"Is there anything else?"

"Yes, there's a young musician going to play. He is said to be
wonderful. He plays on the violin."

"He's a very handsome boy," said Carrie enthusiastically. "He's staying
at the hotel. I saw him this afternoon when I was passing."

"So he's good-looking, is he, Carrie?" asked the squire, laughing.

"He's ever so good-looking," answered Carrie emphatically.

"Then we must certainly go, for Carrie's sake," said the squire.

Squire Pope had not the slightest idea that the young musician, about
whom his niece spoke so enthusiastically, was the boy whom he had so
recently persecuted.

If Carrie had mentioned his name, the secret would have been out, but
she had not yet heard it.

In hono