man with
whom--if the truth be told--she was really much pleased when they met at
Mrs. Crofts'. We have already described the wrath of young Meeker at
receiving, as he supposed, the cut direct from Sarah Burns the first day
he visited the place. Sarah, entirely unconscious of having given
offense, began to wonder how it happened that she never encountered him
on any occasion. They attended the same church, each had a class in the
Sunday-school, they met in the lecture-room, but never where an
opportunity was afforded for them to speak. At last, one Sunday, after
he had finished with his class, Hiram started to go to the library to
procure some books for his pupils, and perceived, when it was too late,
that Miss Burns herself was making choice of some. Another moment, and
Hiram was close at her side, but intent on his selections.

'He is diffident,' said Sarah to herself, 'and thinks I do not recognize
him because I did not when we met so unexpectedly. It is proper I should
speak to him.'

'How do you do, Mr. Meeker?' she said.

Hiram looked up with well-feigned surprise.

'Very well, I thank you,' he replied, with polite formality; 'I hope you
are quite well;' and barely waiting for her bow of assent, he busied
himself with the books again.

'How he _has_ altered! What can be the matter with him?' thought Sarah
as she turned to resume her place.

'Pretty well for encounter Number two,' muttered Hiram, as he walked
back to his class. 'Wait a little, young lady, and we will see who comes
off second best.'

* * * * *

Louisa and Charlotte Hawkins were both very pretty girls. Their mother,
now several years a widow, was an estimable lady, who had by no means
lost her good looks. Possessing excellent health, she made a very
youthful appearance, and seemed more like an elder sister than the
mother of her daughters. Her husband left her a moderate income, which
an unforeseen occurrence had the last season diminished. It was this
circumstance which induced her to listen to Hiram's application to
become a member of her family. His recommendations were so ample, what
Mr. Burns said about him was so satisfactory, and the price which Hiram
volunteered to pay for his accommodations so generous, that Mrs. Hawkins
found it impossible to refuse him. I will not say that Hiram's manner
and address did not serve to turn the scale. The widow was gratified
with the extraordinary deference paid to he