t is accomplished, I avoid all unnecessary
expense."

"Going to invest in a house in Fifth Avenue? When you do, I'll call.
However, never mind the expense. I'll pay you in."

"I'm much obliged to you, Ned, but I can't accept."

"Why not?"

"Because at present I can't afford to return the favor."

"Never mind that."

"But I do mind it. By-and-by I shall feel more free. Good-night, if you
are going in."

"Good-night, Paul."

"He's a strange fellow," mused Hastings.

"It's impossible to think him mean, and yet, it looks a great deal like
it. He spends nothing for dress or amusements. I do believe that I've
had three coats since he's been wearing that old brown one. Yet, he
always looks neat. I wonder what he's saving up his money for."

Meanwhile Paul went home.

The sexton and his wife looked the same as ever. Paul sometimes fancied
that Uncle Hugh stooped a little more than he used to do; but his life
moved on so placidly and evenly, that he grew old but slowly. Aunt
Hester was the same good, kind, benevolent friend that she had always
been. No mother could have been more devoted to Paul. He felt that he
had much to be grateful for, in his chance meeting with this worthy
couple.

It was the first of January,--a clear, cold day. A pleasant fire burned
in the little stove. Mr. Cameron sat at one side, reading the evening
paper; Mrs. Cameron at the other, knitting a stocking for Paul. A large,
comfortable-looking cat was dozing tranquilly on the hearth-rug. Paul,
who had been seated at the table, rose and lighted a candle.

"Where are you going, Paul?" asked Aunt Hester.

"Up-stairs for a moment."

Paul speedily returned, bearing in his hand a small blue bank-book, with
his name on the cover.

He took out his pencil and figured a few minutes.

"Uncle Hugh," said he, looking up, "when I get a hundred dollars more, I
shall have enough to pay father's debt."

"Principal and interest?"

"Yes, principal and interest; reckoning the interest for a year to
come."

"I did not suppose you had so much money, Paul. You must have been very
economical."

"Yes, Uncle Hugh more so than I have wanted to be, oftentimes; but
whenever I have been tempted to spend a cent unnecessarily, I have
always called to mind my promise made to father on his deathbed, and I
have denied myself."

"You have done well, Paul. There are few who would have had the
resolution to do as you have."

"Oh yes, Uncle Hugh," said Paul, m