oung lady!"

"I'm glad of that, but not a bit surprised."

"She is a greater help to me than I can tell. And what a sad history she
seems to have had--in early life, that is! Her childhood appears to have
been a sad time."

"Ah, she has told you, then?"

"Yes, it came out quite by accident. She didn't obtrude it in any way."

"I am sure she wouldn't."

"And the fact that she was once a little outcast girl increases my
interest in her very much."

"That," said the minister, "is a matter of course."

CHAPTER XXXI.

"COBBLER" HORN'S CRITICS.

The months passed. Christmas came, and was left behind, and now spring had
fairly set in.

"The Golden Shoemaker" had become a person of great consideration to the
dignitaries of his church. It is true there were those amongst its wealthy
members by whom he was unsparingly criticised behind his back. But this
did not deter them from paying him all manner of court to his face. He
was startled at the importance which he had suddenly acquired. His
acquaintance was sought on every side; and he found himself the subject
of a variety of polite attentions to which he had been an entire stranger
until now. Men of wealth and position who, though they were his
fellow-members in the church, had never yet shaken him by the hand,
suddenly discovered that he was their dear friend.

There was one rich man whose pew in the church was next to that of
"Cobbler" Horn. Though this man had sat side by side with his poor
brother for many years, in the house of God, he had seemed unaware of his
existence. But no sooner did "Cobbler" Horn become "the Golden Shoemaker"
than the attitude of his wealthy neighbour underwent a change. The
first sign of recognition he bestowed upon his recently-enriched
fellow-worshipper was a polite bow as they were leaving the church; next
he ventured to show "Cobbler" Horn the hymn, when the latter happened to
come late one day; and, at length, on a certain Sunday morning, as they
were going out, he stepped into the aisle, and proffered his hand to "the
Golden Shoemaker," for a friendly shake. "Cobbler" Horn started, and drew
back. It was not in his nature to be malicious; and to decline the offered
civility was the furthest thing from his thoughts. He was simply lost in
amazement. The gentleman who was offering to shake hands with him was one
of the most important men in Cottonborough. But his great astoni