had satisfied himself that
the case was one of actual necessity, and real merit. By dint of great
persistency, she succeeded in convincing her employer that many of these
private appeals were not worthy of a moment's consideration. To each of
the writers of these a polite note of refusal was to be despatched. With
regard to the rest, it was decided that an application for references
should be made.

"I shall have to be your _woman_ of business, Mr. Horn," said Miss Owen,
"as well as your secretary; and, between us, I think we can manage."

She felt that there was a true Christian work for her in doing what she
could to help this poor embarrassed Christian man of wealth.

"Cobbler" Horn was enraptured with his secretary. She seemed to be fitting
herself into a vacant place in his life. It appeared the most natural
thing in the world that she should be there writing his letters. If his
little Marian had not gone from him years ago, she might have been his
secretary now. He sighed at the thought; and then, as he looked across at
the animated face of Miss Owen, as she bent over her work, and swept the
table with her abundant tresses, he was comforted in no small degree.

Miss Jemima's respect for the proprieties, rendered her reluctant to
absent herself much from the room where her brother and his engaging young
secretary sat together at their interesting work; and she manifested, from
time to time, a lively interest in the progress of their task.

CHAPTER XVII.

A PARTING GIFT FOR "THE LITTLE TWIN BRETHREN."

The honest joy of "the little twin brethren" at the sudden enrichment
of their friend, "Cobbler" Horn, was dashed with a deep regret. It was
excellent that he had been made a wealthy man. As Tommy Dudgeon expressed
it, "Providence had not made a mistake this time, anyhow." But, in common
with the rest of "Cobbler" Horn's neighbours, the two worthy little men
bitterly deplored the inevitable departure of their friend from their
midst. It was "not to be supposed," said Tommy again--it was always Tommy
who said things; to John had been assigned the honour of perpetuating the
family name--it was "not to be supposed that a millionaire would live in
a small house, in a narrow street, remain at the cobbler's bench, or
continue to associate with poor folks like themselves." The little
hucksters considered it a matter of course that "Cobbler" Horn would
shortly remove to a