hful friend had
meant! From the great affection of the little huckster for Marian, it was
likely that he would have a vivid recollection of the child; and no doubt
the little man had already discerned what the father himself was only now,
after so many hints, beginning to perceive. Thus he pondered through the
night. Strange to say, he felt neither sleepy nor tired. He was refreshed
by the gracious prophecy of coming joy which the story of his young
secretary had supplied; and when, after falling asleep in the early hours
of the morning, he awoke towards eight o'clock, he felt as though he had
slept all night.

It was the custom for the young secretary to pay a visit to her employer's
room soon after breakfast, for the purpose of laying before him any of
the morning's letters to which it was imperative that his personal
attention should be given. Most frequently Miss Owen's visit was, as far
as business was concerned, a mere formality, or little more. There were
few of the letters with which she herself was not able to deal; and all
that was necessary, as a rule, was for her to make a general report, which
"Cobbler" Horn invariably received with an approving smile. Then the
favoured young secretary would linger for a few moments in the room. She
would hover about the bed; asking how he had passed the night; performing
a variety of tender services, which, though he had not previously realized
the need of them, increased his comfort to a wonderful extent; and
talking, all the while, in her merry, heartsome way, like a privileged
child, with now and then a gentle, cooing little laugh.

There was nothing, in the whole course of the day, that "the Golden
Shoemaker" enjoyed so much as the morning visit of his fresh young
secretary. But he had never before anticipated it as eagerly as he did
this morning. He had long looked upon this young girl rather in the light
of a devoted daughter, than of a paid secretary. What if, unconsciously
to them both, she had thus grown into her rightful place! As the time
approached for her appearance, he had insensibly brought himself to face
more fully the wonderful possibility which had been presenting itself to
his mind during the last few hours. The nurse was surprised that, though
he seemed to be even better than usual, he could scarcely eat any
breakfast. All the time, he was watching the door, and listening for the
slightest sound. He wondered whether Miss Owen still had in her possessio